I am a proud sailor

Extending traditional gender roles a bit gives me a “kick.” Equal professional titles do not.

We can conclude with gender equality, so to speak, being 100 percent in Norway? It seems that we are now concentrating on languages ​​and titles. So, can’t there be any other more important topic left?

Public agencies spend time and resources changing job titles. The titles of helmsman, counselor and bailiff will be changed to “gender neutral” titles. While the midwife and the snowman will continue to receive an amnesty.

Is it a “battle of languages” Really the most important thing to achieve the best equality? Possibly I perceive it completely wrong. But I have the impression that it is the people who sit still in their classic gender role positions that are the driving force for changing job titles in professions they are not aware of.

Among my closest co-workers, I find the least negative attitudes towards gender. The further one moves away from my workplace and my profession, the more “old-fashioned” attitudes I encounter.

Regardless of one be it a woman or a man, then the career choice is more than just job and salary. When you enter a profession, it becomes part of your identity. The history and traditions through which your profession has passed become part of you. Part of your professional pride. Perhaps you have role models in your profession. Perhaps you want to achieve the same position that trained people have held before you.

Now this pride becomes unattainable for many. The job you are looking for no longer exists. New titles don’t automatically have the same awe and respect.

Titles as a surgeon and captain, there are probably many who still associate with men. What are we going to do with these? Does it help that the councilman calls himself a municipal director? Director is unfortunately also a word associated with men. Will attitudes towards gender roles really change automatically because of language? Will we consider these as gender balanced positions just because the name has changed?

No. I think we need to focus on other things so that attitudes change. It is perceived as a mockery that the debate on gender equality is about language and words.

For me personally Then I must admit that dwelling on traditional thought patterns and gender roles has given me a “boost” in my daily work. I myself chose a male-dominated profession as a sailor. I chose a professional career solely because of my interest. Of course, he had given some thought to a non-traditional career choice. The “equal kick” came later as a pleasant surprise.

The best experience was probably when we had pilots on board from Malta. Leaving the dock, the pilot exclaims, “Are you driving the boat?” An excellent experience! A very embarrassed pilot and my captain grinning at the stern pilot. There and then I was immensely proud to be a helmsman and a Norwegian.

Now I do not understand Don’t be a helmsman or a sailor anymore. Norwegian Coastal Administration ships will remove “helmsman” from their jobs. So it is not tempting to apply for a job. Previously, we had the “Seafarers Law”. This has been amended to the “Naval Workers Act”. For a sailor like me, I associate “ship worker” with a person who works on land, in a shipyard in the shipbuilding industry. It is still a title that society likes to associate with men.

I proudly read the old seamen’s law, where there was a separate section for “pregnant sailors.” In a historically male-dominated profession, legislation facilitated equality. With my simple humor, it was a lot of fun that men were finally able to get pregnant.

The ladies that I am acquaintances who have titles with “man” on them don’t mind this at all. For me, it feels more offensive to be “deprived” of the title and called something else. As if it was not worthy.

Such a “linguistic struggle” for “equality” may simply lead to the restoration of equality. One can lose respect for the issues that really matter.

I look forward to the day when no one cares about my job title. I hope no one is prejudiced as to which genre “normally” works with what. Then I will feel that we are 100 percent the same.

I’ll be a proud sailor anyway until I die!

• Should all job titles be gender neutral? Express your opinion in the comment section further down the page!