Equality is often celebrated when women break leadership, politics and innovation barriers. However, true equality is not about selectively embracing privileges while avoiding responsibilities. It requires full participation in all aspects of society, including registering for the military draft and entering traditionally male-dominated trades like plumbing, electrical work and construction. 

If women seek equal pay and representation in boardrooms, they must also share the burdens of national defense and essential labor. Anything less is a performative version of equality that undermines genuine progress.

Since 1980, the United States has required men — but not women — to register for the Selective Service, ensuring readiness for a military draft in times of crisis. This exemption is based on outdated ideas about gender roles and physical capability.

However, modern warfare relies less on brute strength and more on intelligence, technology and specialized skills — areas where women have repeatedly proven their competence. Norway and Sweden have already implemented gender-neutral drafts, recognizing that national defense is a collective duty, not a male responsibility.

Opponents argue that drafting women could disrupt military cohesion or lower physical standards, but these concerns conflate equality with uniformity. Military requirements should be based on role-specific demands, not gender. Excluding women from the draft sends the message that their lives are inherently more valuable or that they are incapable of contributing to national security. True equality rejects such paternalism. If women are equal in the corporate world, they must also be equal in the barracks.

While women have made significant progress in high-profile careers, they remain drastically underrepresented in skilled trades. Only 2 percent of plumbers, 4 percent of electricians, and 10 percent of construction workers in the United States are women. Critical to infrastructure and economic stability, these fields face severe labor shortages. Encouraging women to enter these professions is not about forcing choices but dismantling cultural stigmas and systemic barriers that discourage female participation.

Trades offer stable, high-paying jobs without the burden of student debt, making them a valuable alternative to traditional white-collar careers. Additionally, gender diversity in these industries fosters innovation and improves problem-solving. Research shows that teams with diverse perspectives perform better, benefiting businesses and society. Increasing female participation in trades is not just about fairness — it strengthens industries and expands economic opportunities.

Some argue that women are naturally less inclined toward manual labor, but history disproves this notion. During World War II, women stepped into manufacturing and industrial roles, proving their capability. Today’s lack of women in trades is primarily due to societal expectations rather than personal preference. Initiatives like Germany’s “Girls’ Day,” which introduces young women to trade careers, have successfully increased female participation. True equality means creating pathways, not making excuses.

Critics often cite physical strength as a reason to exclude women from drafts and trades. However, military and trade jobs require various skills, many of which do not depend on sheer physical power. Fitness standards should be tailored to specific roles, ensuring that all individuals — regardless of gender — meet the necessary qualifications. A 130-pound man who cannot pass infantry requirements would not be placed in that role; the same should apply to women.

Concerns about workplace safety in male-dominated fields are also frequently raised. However, the solution is not exclusion but systemic reform. Stronger anti-discrimination policies, mentorship programs, and cultural shifts can create inclusive environments. Canada has successfully reduced harassment in trades through mandatory bias training and stricter accountability measures. Equality cannot thrive in comfort zones — it requires active efforts to challenge biases and reshape industries.

Equality is not a selective endeavor. It demands that women share all societal responsibilities, from registering for the draft to participating in essential trades. Society cannot claim to value equality while exempting women from sacrifices that men are expected to bear. The draft exemption and the gender imbalance in trades reflect a reluctance to view women as full stakeholders in society’s risks and rewards.

By embracing equality’s privileges and burdens, we move toward a future where fairness is not performative but substantive. Absolute equality is not measured by the number of women in executive positions alone; it requires a balanced workforce where all professions, from CEOs to electricians, reflect shared responsibility. The road to equity is not paved with selective participation but with the collective willingness to carry the same weight.

Nafees Alam is a professor in social work at Boise (Idaho) State University. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.