Everyone has the capacity to be a functioning member of society, despite any dissimilarities or obstacles in their lives; diverse individuals who stand out are often exploited and targeted. Equality is a right that everyone should be entitled to at every level, regardless of gender or any mental, physical or developmental differences. The belief that women are the weaker sex and are more susceptible to mental and emotional breakdowns is a stereotype that in cross-cultural contexts. This belief is ingrained in our society, and even though some do not conform to this belief, it is still ingrained in the history of our culture and affects the functioning of civilization. The Yellow Wallpaper is a short story that deals with the effects of a woman being punished rather than treated for her mental illness. Author Charlotte Perkins Gilman recounts an experience similar to her own, in which the main character suffers from postpartum depression and is nursed by her husband who believes her illness is caused by too much mental activity and lack of attention. for household chores. . People with mental illness, especially women, still face the stigma of not being able to perform tasks as well as their peers. Surrounding these people with the idea that they are incapable of certain tasks will allow them to behave exactly as society perceives them: non-functioning. It is more beneficial to encourage someone to strive for success, rather than to belittle them and convince them that they are worthless. Similarly, The Story of an Hour, written by Kate Chopin, looks back on her life exploring sexism and oppression in marriage. When the main character learns that her husband has tragically died, she finds comfort in knowing that she is now free...... middle of paper ...... disabilities can be just as detrimental to them as d 'Be too hard on them, because they just want to be treated as equals and fit in. Instead of focusing on what we can see and differentiate from others, we should view each individual as someone with the ability to excel. Despite the obstacles in life, it is important to treat each individual as an equal and functioning member of the community. It is simple to act as society wishes, but it is important to move away from debilitating stereotypes and prove that individuals who are different and may have more complications in their lives can be powerful and make a difference in the world. world. As I move on with my life, I will carry with me an important lesson that I have been told before, but whose meaning I did not fully understand until now: despite all obstacles, everything the world is capable of achieving greatness..