Sexism in America - It's over, right?

"Why would anyone decide to alienate more than 50% of the population, cut their market in half (leaving out the half that makes the majority of purchase decisions), fail to capitalize on the intellect and abilities, not to mention the unique perspectives of the alienated half, without a reason? Perhaps there is a reason or a series of reasons buried in the collective minds of the human species. Whatever they are or were, they, much like other mental hubris from our Neanderthal past, have outlived their usefulness in today's world." Robert A. Wolf, July 24, 2010.

My friend Bob urged me to write about ongoing sexism in our society - a subject always simmering on the front burner of my thoughts. Given I have broached many other issues I care about with absolute gusto on these pages, this one should be a no brainer. It's not. My high blood pressure keeps getting in the way.

The health insurers that cover prescriptions for Viagra but not birth control pills. The failure of male-dominated legislatures to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment during the 1970s. The ongoing war against choice. The more than double cost for disability insurance premiums charged for female employees. The capricious decisions of a Supreme Court high on testosterone.

Unless she is draped in diamonds and furs or oozes sex appeal, a woman alone frequently is INVISIBLE. You enter a restaurant. You are shown to a table next to the kitchen door or behind a pillar. Your request for a better table is met with a "look" and either grudging acceptance or outright refusal. Once seated, you wait. And wait. And wait. Perhaps the staff is expecting a male escort to join you? Service is painfully slow, your order often botched. The staff addresses you as "dear" and "honey" to gloss over service shortcomings. Complaints are answered with impatient excuses and the implication you are unreasonable.

You walk into the car showroom. The sales rep wants to sell. You want to buy. Everything proceeds smoothly until it is time to close the sale and you are asked when your husband is arriving. They want the loan in both your name and your husband's, or his co-signature on your loan.

You take your car in for service and the manager inundates you with highly technical jargon about why this visit is going to cost way more than it should. Question the charges and he suggests he talk with your husband.

In social situation women often are expected to "be seen and not heard." Recently two men, professional associates of my husband and me for many years, joined me and my mother at breakfast. After initial, de rigueur pleasantries, they blithely ignored my contributions to the conversation. No wonder women make so many communal trips to restaurant ladies' rooms!

Upon retirement a woman learns she was denied equal pay for decades. The Supreme Court of the United States denies her suit for reparations on the basis the Statute of Limitations had expired.

Every Hollywood actress and female news commentator is expected to show serious cleavage. Fashion and society have been obsessed with human mammary glands for decades. Yet women nursing in public have been arrested for "indecent exposure". On an airplane, she may be instructed to cover up (this obviously SHAMEFUL act) or use the lavatory - that's right - the stinky, tiny, often dirty lavatory on the plane. Would YOU want to eat there. Give me a break.
http://www.parentdish.com/2006/11/15/mother-kicked-off-plane-for-breastfeeding-sues-airline/

Sexism in America - It's over, right?

Coming soon: "Sexism in Politics."