Modern society has achieved rapid development, but at the same time, there are many problems that have occurred in various fields including politics, economy, and religion. To fundamentally solve these problems, we look at the unequal relationship bet...
Modern society has achieved rapid development, but at the same time, there are many problems that have occurred in various fields including politics, economy, and religion. To fundamentally solve these problems, we look at the unequal relationship between men and women, that is, a gender inequality society. Therefore, this study intends to instruct the practice for realizing a gender-equal society, centering on the unification ideology of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (hereafter referred to as the Family Federation).
To understand the idea of gender equality of the Family Federation, we first look at the theology of unification. Heavenly Parent made the created universe according to his original characteristics of yang (masculinity) and yin (femininity) and to his original characteristics of internal nature and external form. Since they are each different attributes, they are called dual characteristics. Human beings were also created as beings with yang and yin, and with internal nature and external form according to Heavenly Parent's dual characteristics. Heavenly Parent has both yang and yin in perfect harmony within himself. Human beings are beings in which yang and yin are manifested externally through “sex” as men and women. Since Heavenly Parent's dual characteristics are united in a relationship where each entity live for each other while giving and receiving strength, there can be no difference in value or superiority among these dual characteristics. Likewise, for human beings who are the manifestation of Heavenly Parent's dual characteristics, under the form of men and women, there can’t be a difference in values or superiority despite their difference in form and shape.
The Family Federation advocates that there is no difference in values between men and women, but in society, we can find ideological views which support the difference of value between men and women. The problem is that going beyond the ideological view, this idea of the superiority of men over women has been used to build men-centered societies. At the root cause, we can identify the patriarchal system. In addition, we will address gender roles stereotypes and present theological evidence. Then, we will analyze the current situation of gender inequality. We will look at what kind of discrimination exists in society. In particular, if the modern society is men-centered, the victims of a gender inequality society are women. Inequality, including the gender wage gap and gender job stereotype, and sexual violence due to distorted ideology appear as real problems.
The Family Federation is carrying out various activities to realize gender equality. First, we have the blessing marriage in which a man and a woman are married. To receive the blessing marriage, one must receive a sexual purity education before marriage and fidelity education after marriage and practice these educations. Couples who received the blessing marriage must live centered on Heavenly Parent, love each other forever, and live together. And to realize a gender-equal society, we also need women leaders. Historically, men have led as leaders, but if there were women leaders, what role would they play? Finally, we present practices for married couples to live happily.
Where do you start to take action to realize gender equality? The core of the Family Federation ideal is that “Peace begins at home.” Some things need to be done at the national level, but in this paper, it is the practice to realize gender equality at the individual level that we will address first. Then it will be developed from the individual level to the family to finally realize a gender-equal society.