As we know, as we are constantly reminded in fact, inequality kills. As we all also know it is social inequality that does so, those at the bottom of whatever totem pole being used as the measurement of status who suffer the worst outcomes.

The solution is usually given as equalising financial status. But the problem is that financial status does not map accurately to social status.

Anyway, interesting new research that it is also true that equality itself kills, this time gender equality:

In the study, published in Social Science and Medicine, the
researchers compared data from all of Sweden’s 290 municipalities. They
used nine indicators of equality in both the private and public
sectors, ranging from the proportion of men and women in management
jobs to average income. These were related to local life expectancy,
disability and absence from work through illness.

The results showed a strong link between gender equality and levels
of sickness and disability for both men and women. One of the findings
was that equal financial resources between the sexes was associated
with higher levels of sickness and disability.

For both sexes, gender equality in managerial positions was associated with lower life expectancy.

What a delightful conundrum for our friends on the left, eh? All of the arguments brought forward to argue for more equality across the nation, that it is inequality that kills, now also show that the advances of feminism need to be reversed….for exactly the same reason, that gender equality kills.

Or, we could argue that the effects of equality or inequality are less important than the ability of each and every individual exercise their free choice and do as they wish, to the best of their abilities. This would mean arguing in favour of gender equality (for women’s freedom is more important than the effects of it on the levels of sickness and disability) and similarly against grossly redistributionist taxation policies (for the freedom of people to spend their own earnings is more important than the effect on the levels of sickness and disability in others).

But it would be very difficult to argue for less social or financial inequality (for it kills!) and for greater gender equality (for it kills!).

As I say, interesting conundrum.