The Issue of Gender Inequality in The Movie I, Tonya

Gender inequality is an idea that refers to unequal perceptions or opportunities among male and female. In most cases, it is associated with violence against women. In the movie, I, Tonya, Margot Robbie played a very crucial role when she represented the American figure skater Tonya Harding. Gender inequality is still occurring to this day, in all aspects of life, including athletics. It is clearly evident that male sports and athletics have always been given an upper hand, male athletes receive more attention and are paid significantly higher throughout history compared to female athletes. Despite all the efforts played by stockholders to enhance equality and diversity, women continue to endure the traditional view whereby they are considered to be inferior compared to their male counterparts, which has led to continued damage of corporate performance. Gender inequality goes hand in hand with physical and emotional violence where men tend to dominate over women. Women continue to suffer the consequences of men's actions as indicated in the film where Tonya's career hits rock bottom when Jeff Gilldoly, her ex-husband conspires to break her fellow contenders' leg in the national championship. The attack forced her to withdraw from the competitions tarnishing her legacy as she was involved in a very shameful scandal in the history of sports.

The film brings the focus on of how women face emotional and physical abuse both at home and workplace. Women are affected by emotional abuse as much as, or even more than physical abuse. I, Tonya film displays a lot of abusive scenes against women, which ranges from home to workplace. Tonya's stepbrother assaulted her physically and sexually in her mother's home. Being abused does not really have to hurt physically. Emotional and verbal abuse can result in long-term as well as short-term effects which are as vital, if not more severe than physical abuse. Verbal abuse and emotional abuse can be in the form of insults, isolation, intimidation as well as control over a person. They consequently result in physical abuse. Their effects can proceed even after physical abuse has stopped. They damage the oppressed self-esteem, cause depression as well as anxiety and also damage one's self-worth. Emotional abuse leads her to degrade herself making her lose her sense of independence whereby she even thinks that she cannot proceed with skating without Jeff. The psychological or emotional abuser often threats with physical abuse if you do not buy into their demands. This is clearly evident as Jeff threatens to shoot Tonya and even murder himself if she does not take him back. Domestic violence was all over Tonya's life from her being a child with her mother to her bring a wife with her husband. It occurs when the husband tried to be dominant over Tonya. Jeff used domestic violence to earn and hold total control over Tonya. He used intimidation, fear, physical harm, guilt, and threats to keep her in track. Tonya suffered an abusive relationship as she had to be cautious about what she says or does to prevent an altercation. The abuser chooses to be abusive deliberately to exercise their power in order to appear controlling.

Jeff exercised dominance over Tonya in order to feel in control of the relationship. He made decisions without involving her and expected her to follow without questioning. Jeff conspired to injure Nancy Kerrigan without Tonya's consent, and when the agents were questioning them, he overruled Tonya to remain silent as he did the talking. Jeff made Tonya feel powerless by humiliating her in public when she finally decided to leave him. He showed up on the training ground and altered abusive words to her in front of everyone. He made Tonya feel guilty for leaving her and always used excuses to lure her back. He always manages to talk himself out of situations. Every time Tonya would walk away, he always came back with therapy excuses, and she would go back to him. Abusers choose whom to threaten, insult or assault. Usually, they pick people who are closest to them or whom they love. Shawn Eckardit, Tonya's ex-bodyguard sent a threatening note to her and once Jeff realized it was him, Jeff was furious, but manage to control himself. He could have insulted him, but he chose not to. In my opinion, this is an indication of gender inequality as Jeff chose violence over Tonya rather than Shawn. Abusers choose where to exercise their abusive behavior. Jeff acted normally whenever in public and insulted Tonya when nobody was around. Jeff shot at Tonya and forced her into his car. The neighbors witnessed and called the authorities who followed the car. Once they pulled over, Jeff acted normally to the cops and pretended as if everything was fine. He directed his blows where they could not show marks or leave bruises. Tonya directly or indirectly did whatever she could to avoid physical and emotional abuse. She tried to avoid Jeff as much as possible. Eventually, she ended up going back to him after she lacking the support from her own misunderstanding mother. Her inability to access affordable housing, inadequate support, lack of legal aid and support led her back to him. She actually left her husband five times before eventually ending the relationship. Gender inequality is a very serious issue all across the world, whereby in many cases, women are the victims. It is mostly accepted and considered normal in our society, whereby men are much privileged, and women are the disadvantaged ones. Gender inequality is clearly demonstrated in educational gaps, whereby the learner can access the labor market, whereas those without education are limited to technical works.

I, Tonya represents inequality as Tonya was denied a formal education. This gave her a disadvantage, and only had limited job opportunities. Men in the film such as Jeff, the advocates, and even the judge acquired the basic education, enabling them to get a place in the labor market. Women have to work twice as hard as men to avoid being dependent. There was discrimination during the case hearing whereby the judge's ruling was quite unfair. Jeff and Shawn committed the crime and were only sentenced to eighteen months. Tonya was only involved due to her relationship with Jeff yet she received the harsh ruling. This may be due to Tonya being a female. She was eventually banned from profession skating which was basically her only life skill as she never acquired any other education. Inequality was also evident when Tonya reported to the authorities after being hurt by Jeff. However, Jeff did not face any consequences despite even filing a restraining order.

To reduce gender inequalities, society must play a bigger role in ensuring equal opportunities for women. The females are the most vulnerable in terms of gender discrimination. Government authorities should ensure women are given equal and fair opportunities in all aspects of life, including education, sports as well as the labor market. Harassment and discrimination of women in their workplace and at home should be highly discouraged. Traditional belief that views women only as child-bearers or house wives should be reviewed. Employees should be paid equally for equal value work. Gender equality is the first step in fighting violence against women. Women should be given equal and fair opportunities as well as men in all fields, including education, sports, and politics. Empowerment of women will eventually lead to overall growth and development of the whole society at large. Finally, despite the advocate for gender equality, women should work hard to earn their opportunities which will be granted with honor, rather than waiting to be awarded out of mercy for their inferiority.