Sexism is a pervasive problem in our society but it runs deeper in some areas than others.

The fields of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) are particularly male-dominated.

One mechanical engineering student at Eastern Washington University decided to take a stance against the treatment he saw his female peers receiving. He did this by writing a letter explaining why the women he went to school with were not really his equals.

Jared Mauldin was disgusted by the inequality he saw.

The 34-year-old student wrote a letter for his student newspaper, the Easterner. In his letter, he pointed out that things between him and his fellow female engineering students were very much unequal.

By beginning his letter stating that he and the women around him “are in fact unequal” Jared was ensuring that his letter had an impact, even if a few people were initially concerned about what the letter might contain.

How male and female STEM students are treated differently.

Jared pointed out several things about him and his female classmates that are not equal.

“I did not, for example, grow up in the world that discouraged me from focusing on hard science. Nor did I live in a society that told me not to get dirty, or said I was bossy for exhibiting leadership skills,” he wrote.

Jared continued to say that when he was growing up, he was not taught that his true value was based on how he looks.

He was also not told he should abstain from certain activities because they were thought to be too masculine. Jared was able to point out many things in his letter regarding how unequal things were between male and female students in his program.

“I was not bombarded by images and slogans telling me that my true worth was in how I look and that I should abstain from certain activities because I might be thought too masculine. I was not overlooked by teachers who assumed that the reason I did not understand a tough math or science concept was, after all, because of my gender,” he continued.

“You and I cannot be equal.”

Jared concluded his letter by congratulating the women of his school for overcoming all that they have. He continued to say that they have already conquered far more than he has to be in the field, and therefore they simply cannot be “equals.”

“So, you and I cannot be equal. You have already conquered far more to be in this field than I will ever face.”

In this letter a male engineering student explains why his female classmates aren't his equals… pic.twitter.com/fd4Wo0gLIo

— The Female Lead (@the_female_lead) November 30, 2020

Jared’s comments are appreciated.

Jared’s comments were very much appreciated by his colleagues and others in his field. Many of them commented on the school newspaper’s website to say how much Jared’s letter touched them.

“Jared – I’m 59 years old and I got my PhD in physiology more than 30 years ago. Thank you for this. You have reduced this tough-minded old feminist to tears.”

Raise a glass to this wonderful man Jared Mauldin 🍷Beautiful letter to his female engineering colleagues #STEM https://t.co/OEuFfyd9kU

— Orlaith Carmody (@OrlaithCarmody) October 8, 2015

“You nailed it brother! Living under a microscope is not easy. Just having one male peer who “gets” it and has my back makes a world of difference in my everyday work life.”

In this letter, a male engineering student explains why his female classmates aren't his equals and you're going to want to read until the end…
src: https://t.co/8JabPoMgDm pic.twitter.com/pfTJYh80Iq

— Anisha Swain | The UI Girl (@anishaswain) August 6, 2020

Finally, Jared took the time to reflect on the impact that his letter had made.

He would later say the following to the Huffington Post:

“Nothing I said was new, it has all been said a thousand times before. The difference is that I am a man. Maybe by standing up and breaking the silence from the male side, I can help some more men begin to see the issues, and begin to listen to the women who have been speaking about this all along.”

Wonderful letter to the Editor from Jared Mauldin, Senior in Mechanical Engineering: #HeforShe. I will be sharing with my children. Let’s keep moving in leaps & bounds to value all aspects of #diversity, get to #equity and be #inclusive. https://t.co/owtJ4FgPHx

— Ming-Ka Chan 陳明嘉, MD MHPE FRCPC 🇨🇦 #BLM (@MKChan_RCPSC) May 30, 2020

Learn more about Jared’s inspiring letter in the video below.

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Source: The Spokesman Review/4 News Now