What Women Are Like

 

Last night, I went out to see a local band perform. I came away with something much more precious than just a good time. A kind gentleman I met at the show decided to enlighten me as to What Women Are Like. I learned that by simply being in possession of a vagina, I am:

• Crazy
• Obligated to have babies
• Convinced that all men are assholes (despite my direct statements to the contrary, and examples of men I know personally who are lovely people)
• A controlling shrew

 

Gosh, thanks for clearing that up for me, buddy! Too bad I’ll never be able to fully understand any of it with my clearly inferior female brain.

Why Aren’t Sexist Jokes Funny?

 

Most people who know me assume that I’m not very feminine. I wear a lot of cargo pants, t-shirts, and sneakers. Often, I go without makeup. I like tinkering and building computers, and I’ve been told that I have some masculine mannerisms (whatever that means). Because I’m perceived this way, it’s also assumed that I would scorn all things womanly. I’m expected to go along with misogynist jokes and hey, if I get offended, well, I probably just have PMS or something.

When a man says something like, “Woman, make me a sandwich,” to me as a joke, he’s basically saying, “Hey, you know how for thousands of years, women have been property and men have treated them like slaves? Yeah, that was HILARIOUS!!”

It also ignores the reality that women are still slaves today in many parts of the world. Even in the United States of America, in the year 2011, women are still second class citizens in many ways. For example, we’ve only been allowed to have credit in our own names for slightly longer than my own lifetime. Today, activists are pushing for laws that would deny women their right to decide when (or whether) to procreate. We’re not out of the woods yet.

So you know what? No. I’m not sorry that I don’t find misogynist jokes to be funny.

Men’s Studies

 

via Lamebook

Owning Women

http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2011/01/johnny-weir-im-sexually-gay-but.html

This disturbs me.

This man is gay. He is not sexually attracted to women, but still believes he is entitled to marry one because... why, exactly? She can look after the house and children, maybe, but women hate sex anyway, so the fact that they don't have a sex life should just be fine and dandy, should it?

After all, women exist to be owned by men (even gay men, apparently!), regardless of whether those men have any interest in them beyond their domestic capacities, right?

Look, guys... if you want a maid, hire one. If you want kids, you'll be relieved to know that you don't have to knock up a woman to make it happen. There's always adoption, or surrogacy. If you want a nanny, there are plenty of people out there willing to do that job, too, for proper compensation.

A wife does not exist to be your unpaid servant, even if you're not having sex with her. Sorry, Johnny.

Cooking is for Real Men

I'm in my mid-twenties, and in the process of applying for disability (due to allover joint pains and stiffness caused by what several of the doctors I've seen so far, including my current one, believe to be rheumatoid arthritis). Part of this process involves a physical exam and, because I also have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, a psychological evaluation.

During my visit with the psychologist, after we established that I was not currently working outside the home for pay due to my physical disability, I was asked whether I am able to do any housework. I answered that I am able to do most of it, although I do need help with some tasks because I don't have full use of my hands. Am I able to do any grocery shopping, the psychologist asked? I answered that I am often unable to walk long distances, but yes, I can do most of the shopping.

What about cooking, he asked? No, I replied. My husband likes to cook, so he does most of the cooking. The psychologist gave me what I can only describe as a disapproving look, then looked down, shook his head, and scribbled furiously on his notepad for several minutes before continuing the exam.

This issue comes up constantly in my husband's and my interactions with friends, family, and acquaintances. I especially get lectured about what my role is now as "housewife." Those who know about my disability, or who are informed of it, mostly dismiss it (and its impact on my daily activies) out of hand.

I probably still wouldn't be doing the cooking even if I did have full use of my hands, because cooking is my husband's hobby. That's what he does to relax. I also don't particularly like to cook; I tend to get distracted, unless I'm baking or making something special. My husband is an excellent cook, and this arrangement works well for us.

It amazes me that in the twenty-first century, people still react to this the way they do.

Gender Roles

My vision of a perfect world is one in which nobody is told what they must do, or cannot do, because of their sex or gender