Hoping to go into a career in broadcast journalism, I have learned first hand, about the discrimination of women in the media endure everyday. At the college level, I have been ridiculed about the way I look ten-times more often than my male co-anchor. 

For those who believe women are treated equally, they probably have never been told to apply more make-up or that their hair is the wrong style. Gender stereotypes and double standards still exist, and they can be damaging.

That is why Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Democratic nomination is a historical milestone in America and why the idea of a Trump presidency scares me.

The way Donald Trump speaks about women and the way we have seen him treat women in these viral videos can only foreshadow what is to come in his potential presidency.

There is true irony that in an election year where there’s a historic female nomination, that it is being countered by allegations of sexual harassment against Trump. His actions and comments throughout this campaign are dangerous when thinking about where the future of our society may go if he is elected.

In the past few decades, women have come leaps and bounds in breaking through the glass ceiling and finding their voice in a “man’s world.” Although, the problem is not completely solved, and may never be solved if Trump is elected as the President of the United States.

Developing thick skin and being able to take criticism is important, not only in my broadcast career, but in any career. But should women really have to endure being ridiculed for being themselves? Should they really be treated so differently from their male counterparts?

In the final moments of the third presidential debate, Trump referred to Hillary Clinton as “a nasty woman,” while she was answering a question about how she would raise taxes on the wealthy if she became president. Yet again proof that although Trump may claim that he does, he has no respect for women whatsoever. 

If I were to become a successful broadcast journalist in the future, there would still be people who would look at me and label me as a “dumb blonde” because of the way I look. That is why it is important for politicians to set the standard when it comes to the treatment of women. 

If Trump is elected it may become even more difficult to be taken seriously in society as a woman, because he will help set the social norms in our society. If he does not treat women with respect, who says other men will not follow in his footsteps?

First Lady Michelle Obama spoke of the issue, putting aside all normal political campaign talking points to address the importance of understanding the growing Trump scandals.

“I have to tell you that I can’t stop thinking about this,” Michelle said in her speech Oct. 14. “It has shaken me to my core in a way that I couldn’t have predicted. It’s one of countless examples of how he has treated women his whole life. And I have to tell you that I listen to all of this and I feel it so personally, and I’m sure that many of you do too, particularly the women. The shameful comments about our bodies. The disrespect of our ambitions and intellect. The belief that you can do anything you want to a woman.”

Trump makes it seem as if this treatment of women is normal and “locker room” talk. His comment and actions are far from “locker room” talk; it is unacceptable and expunges all of the progress women have made in the past decades.

I am aware that the career I am pursuing is based on looks just as much it is intelligence, however, the question is, should it be? Gender inequity is a real life problem and I believe the Trump administration may make it worse.