Responding to Ms. Kopacz's column, I believe wholeheartedly that women should not settle for current standards of so-called social equality ("Equality for women has come far in short time," March 18). Today, women face a monumental task of rectifying centuries of injustice and imprisoning roles forced upon them through a world that defines "masculinity" as power or authority.

Advertisers remain steadfast with degrading sales techniques that patronize women's empowerment.

Images are sold within film, television and magazines that suggest recognition of equal status is result of silence and the glorification of sexual openness.

Perhaps the most frightening aspect of the media's deterrence exists in the classroom environment. At an early age, girls face dangerous reinforcement that silence results in power.

A 1999 study at the University of Michigan found that girls in preschool are told to be quiet more frequently than boys are. Throughout early grade school, girls continue to receive this encouragement to be restrained. Later in life, a mentality of acceptance for current media messages with social constraint appears. Unbelievably, this has been going on since the 1950s. As a man, I think it's important to realize the surviving problems of a male-dominated society. Acknowledging these inequalities is the first step in removing them.

To all the women on campus: allow Women's History Month to become a yearlong celebration. Rather than simply remembering past milestones, continue to make new ones.