Global Introspective

In The World is Flat, chapter 10, Friedman says that men who are culturally brought up to believe that women are inferior are at a disadvantage because they feel "entitled" to success, power, etc (413). Indeed I think that men with these strong ideologies are setting themselves up for disadvantage, especially in a flat world. Competition is on the rise globally and denying half of a countries' population involvement will give them a fighting odds of one verses two, that I would argue will be even more detremental because the Under-Developed-Countries are starting out disadvantaged already. Clearly any feeling of entitlement for work will be mowed over by people in China, India etc. that are willing to work hard for better lives.
Still, as I read Friedman's words, "It builds in them a sense of entitlement that discourages what it takes to improve, to advance, and to achieve," America ran through my mind immediately. I think Americans need to be careful. As the world power, it is easy to assume that we are entitled to certain luxuries because those luxeries have always been attainable in our lives. In my opinion, many Americans growing up in today's generation feel "entitled" -- entitled to maintain their comfortable living status not because they are male... but because they are American. I look forward to being proved wrong on this point, and I hope that I am.