They are different.

The only things I disagree with are in some physical labor jobs where both Men and Women work Women get equal pay now with a lower lifting requirement.

I believe in equal pay for equal work, and if anyone, man or woman, can't do the work to the same ability as someone else why should they get their pay raised to be the same to be equal? Thats pretty much communism in a minor form.

Me and my live in girlfriend of 5 years had a son over a year ago. We are a normal middleclass family and there is no way that we could make it on solely on either one of our wages. My girlfriend stayed off for approx. 2 months and returned to work as we were falling dangerously behind on bills. 1 month later I got injured at work and began the slow process of trying to get well while fighting with workers comp to pay for my doctors visists. During that time I took care of my son while his mother was at work, and I can tell you after 11 months of severe pain and 2 surgeries I wouldn't have changed a thing if i could, the little guy means everything to me I loved watching him grow and learn firsthand. Although both of us would love to care for him all day there is no way that we could ever on a single persons wages without loosing our house and grabbing up as much government cheese as we could. Daycare and babysitters aren't always a choice, sometimes they're a neccessity.

Do your research on where you leave your kids, a good loving babysitter may not be a parent but they can still be a rolemodel and teach values to a child.

men and women are different overall, but every individual is different. everything must be made case by case for the best overall results. women may be better nurturers but that doesnt mean they take of the house better. men might normally make more money (this is still annoying) at the same job, but that doesnt mean the man will have a higher paying career.

as long as people understand that men and women are different but that individuals are too, there wont be a problem.

@ Ickalanda:

Are you sure there's legislation requiring a lower lifting requirement for women?

There may be, but I'd never heard of it, and a google search only turned up things related to pregnant women, disabled employees, or companies with lifting requirements unrelated to their work. Do you know what legislation I should be looking for? Are you sure it exists?

Is this the only example anyone has of 'equal rights' having gone too far?