From Tickner to Watson, it's time for equality

As an educated woman capable of critical thought, I wholly identify with J. Ann Tickner’s analysis of Morgenthau’s principles. The field of international relations, much like many other educational fields, is truly influenced by masculine conceptions of human nature, power, and morality. Reading this article is incredibly timely considering Emma Watson’s recent speech at the United Nations, which launched her new campaign centered on gender equality, HeforShe. Tickner and Watson’s arguments are incredibly similar in most ways, but definitely differ as they discuss gender roles in society. In tandem, they paint an interesting picture for the future of women in positions of power and international relations in general and call for meaningful change worldwide.

Evidence of extreme gendering can be found with a quick glance down any aisle in any toy store. There are girl toys and boy toys, and an implicit divide between the two with little room for gray area. The world of international politics is similar in this regard.

Tickner relays that women tend to be “…more comfortable dealing with domestic issues such as social welfare that are more compatible with their nurturing skills” while “nuclear strategy, with its vocabulary of power, threat, force and deterrence, has a distinctly masculine ring” (15). Gender roles are a societal norm that cast definitive shadows for both men and women, which is something both Watson and Tickner agree on.

Unique in Watson’s speech is the notion that men are just as negatively impacted by gender stereotypes as women are. Typically, masculinity is defined as powerful and emotionally objective. Tickner’s description paints this portrayal as a positive role for men to fulfill, while Watson describes just the opposite. Watson relates that she personally “…started questioning gender based assumptions a long time ago”, since the age of eight. She continues to say recount “when at eighteen my male friends were unable to express their feelings”, and how detrimental this is for mental health, stating that suicide is the number one killer of men ages 20-49 in the UK. Clearly, stringent gender roles are a problem worldwide, for both men and women alike.

Though Tickner and Watson differ in their perception of male gender roles, they both call for meaningful change for women globally. Morgenthau’s six principles have an anachronistic tone as predetermined international relations laws that will remain unchanged as time progresses. However, this is an incredibly dangerous notion, which both Tickner and Watson relay. First and foremost, traditional conceptions of power value war and coercion as primary means for dealing with tension. In a nuclear weapon ridden world, this is incredibly lethal. Tickner also states that, “The ecology movement…and the women’s movement are deeply interconnected. Both stress living in equilibrium with nature rather than dominating it” which is another concept integral to international relations today. Aggressive and wasteful international policies are not only outdated, but also unsustainable. Different, more feminine, approaches are undeniably important to consider as we attempt to create a healthier, more inclusive world for future generations.

The most important takeaways from both works are that including women in the international relations conversation can not only create a more cooperative and peaceful world, but also create worldwide freedom from harmful gender stereotypes. Tickner advocates for a new global perspective that “…appreciates cultural diversity but at the same time recognizes a growing interdependence” and “avoids conflict where possible” by taking feminine opinions into account. Watson envisions a world where “we all perceive gender roles on a spectrum not as two opposing sets of ideals”. These two powerful ideas in cooperation can truly change the international perception of power globally and free both men and women from binding stereotypes.