Many women think men have it better

About 44 percent of female college students would prefer to be a man if they had the choice, while 23 percent of male students answered that they would rather be a woman, a survey showed Wednesday.

Albamon, an Internet-based employment agency, surveyed 573 university students and found more women would rather have been born a man than vice-versa largely because of the male-oriented social system.

More than 70 percent of female students said it was difficult to live as a woman in Korea because they were exposed to a greater risk to crime. About 61 percent said social preoccupations with beauty and appearance made life as a woman harder.

Some 51 percent said they would rather be reborn as a man, if they could, due to the disadvantages and suffering of pregnancy and childbirth.

The survey showed that most Korean women feel that their country, despite a series of policies to promote gender equality, is still a male-dominated society.

“The survey indicates that Korean women still face various hurdles and discrimination in their ordinary lives despite a marked improvement in gender equality,” an official from the firm said.

“To reduce discrimination against women in recruitment, wages and promotions the government needs to take administrative measures, while pushing for legislation against harassment at workplaces.”

About 45 percent of male students said they would not want to be born a woman. On the other hand, only 26 percent of female students said they would not want to be men.

Both men and women said they experienced disadvantages or discrimination because of their gender.

About 81 percent of male respondents and 93 percent of female respondents said they were treated unfairly more than once due to their sex, the survey said. <Korea Times/Na Jeong-ju>

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