I agree that Sokka can grow in other ways. But the worldbuilding argument doesn't seem right to me.
Bending is more than combat for one, more like an extension of real human abilities (though within believed human abilities of our world ie. we also have magical thinking if not magical reality).
The world can change if we can actually, materially shape the world with magic rather than manipulate other people. So yes, a world with bending with be a materially different world. But everything prior to action is still relevant. What I mean is that people still manipulate or exploit action, magical or not. Eg. there could still be patriarchy to exploit women for reproductive labor, exclude them from the warrior class who solely gets sanctioned to do violence, etc.
The fact that woman can bend as well as men doesn't need to make them socially equal, just like in our world they are socially oppressed nonetheless
I agree that Sokka can grow in other ways. But the worldbuilding argument doesn't seem right to me.
Bending is more than combat for one, more like an extension of real human abilities (though within believed human abilities of our world ie. we also have magical thinking if not magical reality).
The world can change if we can actually, materially shape the world with magic rather than manipulate other people. So yes, a world with bending with be a materially different world. But everything prior to action is still relevant. What I mean is that people still manipulate or exploit action, magical or not. Eg. there could still be patriarchy to exploit women for reproductive labor, exclude them from the warrior class who solely gets sanctioned to do violence, etc.
The fact that woman can bend as well as men doesn't need to make them socially equal, just like in our world they are socially oppressed nonetheless