20 Argumentative Essay Topics on Gender Equality/Inequality (2024)

Although most developed countries put considerable efforts into battling gender inequality, and humanity managed to achieve remarkable progress in this area over the last century or so, it still remains one of the most problematic issues modern society has to deal with. Unfortunately, most of the aforementioned progress has been only conspicuous in western societies, while in many developing countries there were no noticeable advances for a long time, sometimes, for centuries.

Even today, in the 21st century, barbarous practices like forced marriages and female genital mutilation are still rampant in Africa and the Middle East. So it is safe to assume that we have a very long way to go towards worldwide gender equality. Therefore, it is no wonder that students are so often assigned to write argumentative essays that deal with the topic – Gender Equality and Inequality. So what are they, these gender equality and inequality essay topics, and what ideas can be taken into consideration? Look at the detailed information below and start writing your own research paper on any topic from the list.

20 Gender Equality and Inequality Essay Topics

Gender equality and inequality is an incredibly broadly defined area of research. If you put a little bit of thought into it you can come up with any number of fascinating, creative and original topics for your opinion essay. Here you can see a few examples:

1. Does Gender Inequality Still Exist in the American Workplace?
2. Gender Equality in Western Society: Achievements and Prospects
3. Does Gender Help or Hinder Women in the Workplace?
4. Main Obstacles for Achieving Workplace Gender Equality in Modern Society
5. Roots of Gender Inequality and Their Expression in Today’s Society
6. The United States and Gender Equality: Where Do We Stand?
7. Gender Equality in Science
8. State Enforcement of Gender Equality Laws: Is It Really Effective?
9. Gender Equality and Gender-Blindness: Differences and Common Features
10. Gender Equality: Are Women Still Being Held Back by Stereotypes?
11. Gender Disparity in Education and Workplace: Results and Future Goals
12. The Role of Gender Equality in the Upbringing of Children
13. Is True Gender Equality Achievable?
14. Gender Equality and Peace: Are They Connected?
15. Gender Equality and its Role in Economic Development
16. Gender Equality and Family Division of Labor
17. Gender Equality in Politics: What Does It Mean?
18. What Does Gender Inequality Cost Us Economically?
19. Gender Disparity in the World of Science: Why It Exists
20. Gender Inequality in the Modern Family

Nice topics, aren’t they? And the best part of it is that you don’t have to do any prolonged and tiresome research to come up with a similar idea on your own. Gender equality or inequality is a kind of topic that, to some extent, encompasses the entirety of the human experience. You may take a look at virtually any part of your life and be sure to find some food for thought. After proper consideration, it can be turned into a top-notch topic pertaining to this broad issue. So look into the following areas where gender inequality is possible.

Top 5 Areas Where Gender Inequality Is Possible

Every year, the rights of women in education, equal pay and fair treatment at work are well regarded worldwide – protests, movements, official declarations and so on. However, there are still some areas in which women are treated in a different way:

1.Workplace and Employment

Figuratively speaking, women run the world – they give birth and raise children, cook meals, give treatment, teach, take part in ensuring stability, but still, they go on feeling less equal in the workforce. It starts with offering employment them. As a rule, finding a well-paid job is much tougher for women than for men. Just look at the statistics!

For more details about the labor force participation rates for women and men in each separate country, click this source and include this information in your research paper. According to the International Labor Organization, 70% of women prefer to work in paid jobs regardless of their employment status. Among persistent challenges, there are gender roles, work-family balance, the lack of safe and accessible transportation and the lack of affordable care.

Despite the unequal pay, women face other obstacles in the path of successful working – sexual harassment, for example. According to an online survey, 81% of women experience some form of sexual harassment during their lifetime.

Race and ethnicity can also be an embarrassment for women to get equal earnings. For example, while Native American women have the lowest earnings at $31,000, Hispanic women get $28,000. There is a difference. So, investigate all the causes of gender inequality in the workplace and provide the best solutions to the problems.

2.Religion

One of the factors for gender discrimination is religion – many religious norms and traditions contribute to gender inequalities in modern society. Most religions maintain male social dominance. Also, religious norms and prejudices may reflect patriarchal values regarding every aspect of life. The voice of women is rarely heard and taken into consideration. Sometimes, it makes a woman carry the burden of victimization besides the burden of motherhood.

Most world religions agree on the respect for women and their crucial role in family life, but they do not, however, support the total equality with men. So this is a problem needed to be explored in details like it is done in the research paper “Religion and gender inequality: The status of women in the societies of world religions”.

3.Education

Today, more and more girls go to school freely, but was the situation the same several centuries ago? Despite all the progress, women and girls continue to face barriers based on gender to quality education. Let’s examine the statistics of Sub-Saharan Africa – 21% of children are out of school. Among this percentage, 23% of girls don’t go to school compared to 19% of boys. Certainly, this factor of gender inequality in education is underpinned with many other factors – high costs of education, living in rural areas, physical or mental impairment, etc.

4.Government

Women constitute 50% of the global population. Nevertheless, they continue to be underrepresented in decision-making processes at all governance levels. Some of the examples of gender inequality in the world include low-level or non-participation of women in the government of a country, state or region. Even if they get high positions, they do it with effort due to gender stereotypes – “You are a woman. A woman’s place is in the home”.

Today, the situation changes due to spreading democratic values. At the beginning of the 21st century, women were granted two most fundamental democratic rights: the right to vote and the right to stand for election. More and more women appear in the political arena from the last century – Margaret Thatcher, Hillary Clinton, Angela Merkel, Theresa May. All these names are familiar to everybody. What does a woman need to achieve most in government? It is a great essay question to research and answer.

5.Family

There are some gender differences in families. Signs of discrimination in a family are a lack of respect for a mother, unfair distribution of family budget, etc. In some families, a son inherits all the family fortune because it is he who carries forth the family name and is the sole provider. In some families, women can be victims of violence. And it is also a problem existing today in society.

Yes, gender inequality in the workplace, home, and family is slowly being eliminated, but there are still some issues needed to be highlighted and solved. It is important because these discriminatory practices place women at a distinct disadvantage – their ability to acquire wealth, enhance social standing, leave an oppressive work environment, or separate from an abusive relationship are reduced or limited by gender stereotypes.

Watch the video where Frances McDormand is delivering a triumphant Oscars acceptance speech. In this speech, you’ll find some ideas on gender equality that plays a great role in creating this fair world.

And while the battle against gender inequality in the workplace is not a one-day event, this day is still a good opportunity to assess where we stand right now, what has changed from this time last year and previous years, and what we can improve. Your essay may take an economic, sociological, psychological, ethnographical, historical or, in fact, any other turn – you just have to use a little bit of imagination and creativity in defining your approach. After all, with this area of study being that popular, you are sure to find data for your research no matter what you choose.