Are men superior than women?

Are women really meant to be equal to men? Are women really important to society? Can men live without women? Is nurturing, softness, etc of what a woman is suspected to be lower than what a man is suspected to be strong, protecting, etc? Why is being a housewife considered weak and inadequate and women wanting to be independent looked down upon? It feels like women don't have an identity. Why is life like this?