“I’m tired of all the happy men who rule the world,” sang Trina, a character from William Finn’s musical, “March of the Falsettos.” This is a line that evokes a feeling of powerlessness. Trina sings about how tired she is of being treated by the men in her life. They expect her to be a housewife and a mother who will fulfill their own selfish needs.  

“March of the Falsettos” was released in 1981, yet the sentiment of powerlessness in the face of “happy men who rule the world” still resonates with women today. 

Historically, women have been expected to be only child bearers and homemakers. There was a time when the thought of receiving an education, pursuing a career and becoming financially independent would have never crossed a woman’s mind. Men were often the providers for their families, and they held power over property and finances. Therefore, many women were in a position where they were powerless and had no choice but to be what men wanted them to be. 

It is true that society has changed significantly. Women now have the opportunity to pursue profitable careers through a college education, and they no longer have to depend on a man’s power to survive. 

However, women still face barriers in their education. From campus safety to gender stereotypes, women continue to work in conditions that are influenced by male domination. Having 

A recent global study by King’s College London found that 59% of Gen Z men believe there is “too much” pressure on them to support equality. This study was published on March 5 during Women’s History Month.

Women’s History Month was originally a week-long celebration organized by a school district in Sonoma. The idea of having a week dedicated to celebrating women then spread throughout the country. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter declared the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. Six years later, the entire month of March was declared as Women’s History Month as petitioned by the National Women’s History Project. 

Since then, March has been dedicated to recognizing women’s contributions to society’s progress in the face of discrimination. However, this discrimination has not completely disappeared. 

The National Women’s History Alliance chooses a theme each year for Women’s History Month. This year, the theme is called “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” and it is meant to focus on celebrating women who are leading efforts to improve sustainability.

The NWHA says on its website that one of the aspects of this year’s theme is the strengthening of educational systems for the development of a more sustainable future. Women have been, and continue to be, key contributors in shaping our current education system. Yet, they are still subjected to significant challenges in academic settings. 

For example, women often experience concerns for their safety on college campuses. 

Data from the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network says that women experience high rates of sexual violence. RAINN also acknowledges that sexual violence is capable of happening anywhere and to anyone, but that the risk may be three times greater for women on college campuses.

Cuesta College has recently upgraded its security systems, and it is generally regarded as a safe campus due to the low number of crime reports. There are also many resources that people can access if they do experience some form of sexual assault or harassment. 

However, the issue can still weigh heavily on women’s minds, even in environments considered safe. Especially when eight out of 10 cases of sexual assault are committed by someone that the victim knows. These concerns can cause a woman to be more cautious of the people they meet and the spaces they enter. This constant state of hypervigilance may affect how a student connects with her peers and how she interacts with campus life.  

Women have often endured people asserting their power over them, and sexual violence is only one of the methods of domination that have been used against women throughout history. Facts from Rowan University say that sexual violence is mostly about assailants seeking power and domination over their victims rather than passion. 

College should be a place where a student can learn and experience a rich social life without having to worry about becoming a victim of assault and having to deal with its long-term effects on mental and physical health. Yet, this is the reality for many women. 

Other challenges that women face in academic settings are gender stereotypes that influence how other people view women and how a woman views herself. 

Stereotypes can lead people to believe that men are better suited for certain tasks compared to women. Throughout my life, I’ve heard plenty of stereotypes about women being emotional, naive, irrational, weak and therefore incapable of being leaders.  

Dina Gerdeman, a writer for Harvard Business School, wrote an article in which she argues that gender stereotypes can prevent women from pursuing positions of power in certain fields, even if they have the necessary skills to fulfill these roles. Some of these gender stereotypes are that women are less suited for leadership, science, technology and other areas that are male-dominated. 

These gender stereotypes can affect a woman’s confidence and self-esteem. It is common for someone who is belittled on a consistent basis to develop a negative self-image, and insecure people are usually less likely to believe that they are capable of achieving their goals. Therefore, they don’t even bother reaching for something that is clearly unattainable to them.

Race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and economic status may also present additional and unique challenges for women pursuing an education because of the discrimination and stereotypes that accompany these identities. 

There are many issues that keep women from pursuing experiences that benefit their overall education, and many of these issues tend to be rooted in the idea of dominating women. Denying women a more equal education can take power away from them. 

As a college student, my education has been my greatest tool for power. It is due to my education that I am aware of what my rights are, how empires rise and fall, what injustice looks like and so much more. I have the privilege of receiving a college education in a positive environment where my experiences and input are valued, and this has given me the power to advance in life by making my goals feel less unattainable and more achievable. 

Women’s History Month isn’t only about celebrating women. It is also about addressing the barriers that they continue to face. This year’s theme is not just about recognizing women for their role in shaping a sustainable future, but also about supporting them as they face obstacles in doing so. 

Expecting people to support equality, especially in women’s education, should not be considered “too much.” There are simple actions one can take in order to support equality, such as listening to women’s experiences and educating oneself about the challenges they face. 

If we all work together to create more equal spaces for women, perhaps there will be a future where happy men will not be the only ones to rule the world, but happy women as well.