Recently, the issue of choice has come to the forefront of public discourse.

Women, minorities and even basketball players have recently come under fire for exercising their right to determine their existence.

It is becoming more common to hear young ladies on the Iowa State campus say they would like to be housewives when they graduate from college — a decision that seems to offend some individuals.

Likewise, athletes who choose to forgo a part of, or who even skip college altogether have been criticized for their decisions, And the obvious argument is for higher education. For many women and minorities, it has become commonplace for individuals to conduct themselves based on some sort of group mentality. This call within the ranks seems to be for a solidarity which extends into the personal lives of all group members.

While I understand this need for consolidated effort, I think it is unnecessary to require any one person to behave in any set manner. Such a requirement is largely ineffective and has never proven to either undermine or strengthen a movement.

Naturally, the ridicule women face when they choose to stay home originates from specific individuals. The critics are usually members of the specific group in question and apparently feel obligated to share unsolicited advice.

On the other hand, any high school senior who goes straight to the NBA will more than likely face a world of criticism, from critics —industry related and otherwise. In either case, the issue is what is right for the individual.

The compulsion to express approval, or disapproval, of anybody’s actions is based on a need to validate the critic.

In our society, it is all too common to meet individuals who will build themselves by tearing down others. It is a sad state of affairs indeed. But it is reality.

In the ever-changing and ever- expanding world we live in, it is important to understand that forcing anyone to do anything is wrong. The greater good will not be served if women are expected to work or if men are expected to provide for them.

As individuals, we must all be given the freedom of choice; such was the nature of the suffrage movement and the civil rights movement. Any limiting of choice, even if it involves a more financially powerful position, would only serve to implement a glossier version of the same constraints groups force themselves from initially.

The definition of freedom is choice, no matter what choice that may be. As citizens of this democracy, we must honor everyone’s choice, without judgment.

Every position in our society is a valuable one, regardless of who we are, or what we do, and because of that importance, we must all show respect for what ourfellow humans choose to do.

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Zuri Jerdon is a senior in English from Cincinnati.