Air Supply- you're right, no society is perfect. In fact, the society you describe where families teach respect doesn't seem to exist either. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try and schools seem like a good place to start. Think about how many hours a day children spend in schools. Can you think of why we shouldn't at least try to teach respect and equality between the sexes in schools?

Not saying schools are the only means of socialization. Families, friends, the media etc. have a huge role to play. But every family is different and will teach children different values...that's ok, good even. Would be scary if we all saw things the same way. Problem is families don't all teach respect either....a lot of families treat male and female children differently and then that norm perpetuates itself in society. This happens everywhere in the world, east and west.

I'm not saying school is more important than family. I am saying we should try to improve what we can (schools and families). It's possibly easier to start with schools and given that children spend so much time there, it seems wise to see that as an opportunity to teach people how to co-exist.