I recently read that in 32 states rapists have "rights of parenthood" if the rapes they commit result in pregnancy and the women decide to bear the children. This adds an entirely new dimension to the crime against the woman.
Do I believe this happens? Absolutely. For years I watched one of my dearest friends struggle to maintain control of the parenthood of her child. The father was NOT a rapist. He was a deserter who abandoned her to her fate when he learned she was pregnant. He WAS a substance abusing manic-depressive. But family court MANDATED he be given custodial weekend visits.
My friend spent days after these visits dealing with the ramifications of her son's visits with his father. The night terror, the anxiety, the temper tantrums. To this day I do not know how she managed to get through this torturous period of her life.
She never gave up her fight for full custody and after YEARS and repeated failures of her son's father to provide child support, she did achieve it.
Her son is a miracle. A beautiful person because of HER incredible strength and UNFAILING dedication to her own parenthood.
The law, on the other hand, did her no favors and put her and her baby through HELL.
Women's issues are about a lot more than access to abortion and birth control. They are about women's rights to PERSON HOOD.
Politicians like Todd Akin are the tip of the iceberg with his definition of "legitimate" and illegitimate" rape.
This should NOT be a Republican v Democratic issue. It IS NOT a conservative v liberal issue. It is ABOUT THE RIGHTS of 51 percent of this country's population.
We do not live under Sharia Law after all (or do we?).
Here's what I think...
Showing posts with label sexism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sexism. Show all posts
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
How can rape possibly be "legitimate"?
Someone, PLEASE tell me the difference between "legitimate" and illegitimate" rape. In the meantime, please excuse me while I empty my stomach over the toilet bowl.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Senate Blocks Repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell
[Click on the post title for source article.]
So the Senate voted to block debate on the annual authorization of military programs, largely to prevent ending Don't Ask Don't Tell. Arkansas Democratic senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor voted with the Republicants to deprive supporters of a filibuster proof majority.
Is ending Don't Ask Don't Tell a liberal agenda item? You betcha. The policy is poorly conceived, unevenly implemented and based upon the premise that a group of people should live a lie. Liberals refuse to believe THAT is the American way.
This is a civil rights issue - equal protection under the law. Don't Ask Don't Tell is particularly invidious because it forces gays to live a lie and even then does not guarantee them protection. The law codifies discrimination and legitimizes sexual harassment.
So the Senate voted to block debate on the annual authorization of military programs, largely to prevent ending Don't Ask Don't Tell. Arkansas Democratic senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor voted with the Republicants to deprive supporters of a filibuster proof majority.
Is ending Don't Ask Don't Tell a liberal agenda item? You betcha. The policy is poorly conceived, unevenly implemented and based upon the premise that a group of people should live a lie. Liberals refuse to believe THAT is the American way.
This is a civil rights issue - equal protection under the law. Don't Ask Don't Tell is particularly invidious because it forces gays to live a lie and even then does not guarantee them protection. The law codifies discrimination and legitimizes sexual harassment.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Sexism in America - a reader weighs in...
Note: Mary Sulzer is a "parent activist" - that is she is actively involved in her children's education, both at home and at school, in addition to an incredible array of other youth activities.
Mary wrote:
"I have felt for a long time that the cause suffragettes suffered and died for, all the strides feminists like Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem spent their adult lives working towards, have been totally erased by our current pop culture. One need only visit any local high school and view who these young girls choose to emulate... most of them look like they are auditioning for a hip-hop video!! And who can blame them; thanks to our sexualized society, they are getting that message at an early age thanks to movies, TV, magazines, Internet... what happened to striving to break the glass ceiling??? I think all of us of a certain age are totally disgusted with the way respect for women in general has been backsliding over the years... how did it get to this point, and how can we make changes??
"Sorry if the above seems to be a disjointed rant, but this subject is one we all should be concerned about. A whole generation of young people have less positive attitudes toward women. I spend a lot of time in the company of young males, and it seems as though "relationships" take a backseat to "hooking up." Was it always this way and I just didn't notice?"
Mad Malie answered:
"I think teenagers have always been at the mercy of their hormones. Despite that they also seem to want to make a difference and can be very idealistic. But the current generation has been assaulted by a barrage of unhealthy stereotypes and standards since early childhood. Add to that an education system that concentrates on creating automatons that pass tests without understanding the material and it is all part of the dumbing down of America. You can't argue with the idealism when you see those that enlist to fight for their country or the numbers that got actively involved in the Obama campaign. Unfortunately this idealism has sometimes been mercilessly used by cynical leaders."
Mary replied:
"You are so right on with regard to the current problems facing educators today. Good teachers are stymied and hamstrung by the rigid confines of the curriculum, which is one reason it is so hard to find inspiring, electric educators that students remember long after they have graduated. I am dismayed at how some teachers in the school system here choose to relate to the students... letting them call them by their first names, using inappropriate language (to seem cool to them). The claim is that SAT scores are rising, but what does that mean for kids who cannot learn the traditional ways, or worse think outside the box and are not encouraged and commended? It would be great if you could conduct a random poll to see what others thought of these issues, especially young women."
Mad Malie:
"Oh Mary, Mary quite contrary, you are making me think a series on education should be in the works!"
Mary wrote:
"I have felt for a long time that the cause suffragettes suffered and died for, all the strides feminists like Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem spent their adult lives working towards, have been totally erased by our current pop culture. One need only visit any local high school and view who these young girls choose to emulate... most of them look like they are auditioning for a hip-hop video!! And who can blame them; thanks to our sexualized society, they are getting that message at an early age thanks to movies, TV, magazines, Internet... what happened to striving to break the glass ceiling??? I think all of us of a certain age are totally disgusted with the way respect for women in general has been backsliding over the years... how did it get to this point, and how can we make changes??
"Sorry if the above seems to be a disjointed rant, but this subject is one we all should be concerned about. A whole generation of young people have less positive attitudes toward women. I spend a lot of time in the company of young males, and it seems as though "relationships" take a backseat to "hooking up." Was it always this way and I just didn't notice?"
Mad Malie answered:
"I think teenagers have always been at the mercy of their hormones. Despite that they also seem to want to make a difference and can be very idealistic. But the current generation has been assaulted by a barrage of unhealthy stereotypes and standards since early childhood. Add to that an education system that concentrates on creating automatons that pass tests without understanding the material and it is all part of the dumbing down of America. You can't argue with the idealism when you see those that enlist to fight for their country or the numbers that got actively involved in the Obama campaign. Unfortunately this idealism has sometimes been mercilessly used by cynical leaders."
Mary replied:
"You are so right on with regard to the current problems facing educators today. Good teachers are stymied and hamstrung by the rigid confines of the curriculum, which is one reason it is so hard to find inspiring, electric educators that students remember long after they have graduated. I am dismayed at how some teachers in the school system here choose to relate to the students... letting them call them by their first names, using inappropriate language (to seem cool to them). The claim is that SAT scores are rising, but what does that mean for kids who cannot learn the traditional ways, or worse think outside the box and are not encouraged and commended? It would be great if you could conduct a random poll to see what others thought of these issues, especially young women."
Mad Malie:
"Oh Mary, Mary quite contrary, you are making me think a series on education should be in the works!"
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Sexism in Media - Where the left and right converge
"Feminism was established so as to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream of society." Rush Limbaugh.
When it comes to sexism, the liberal left and conservative right media are on the same page. The left coverage of Sarah Palin and the right coverage of Nancy Pelosi are equally despicable.
Liberal MSNBC's coverage of the 2008 presidential campaign was unremittingly critical of Hillary Clinton and began pressing for her withdrawal from the campaign long before the tide of primary results turned against her. Mike Barnacle, Chris Matthews, Pat Buchanan, Dan Shuster, and yes, even Keith Olbermann, all participated. MSNBC's egregious sexism rivaled the ultra-conservative Fox News - no mean trick.
Then there is popular pundit, "politically incorrect" Bill Maher. Rare is the "Real Time with Bill Maher" episode that doesn't include a vicious attack on women. It pains me that someone with whom I agree on many issues is a misogynistic male-gonad-head. (I tried to clean that up, but no other expression worked for me.)
Women are objectified in advertising. Rap music videos portray abuse of women as if it merits a badge of honor. Magazine covers at the supermarket and drug store checkouts force photo-shopped images of unattainable female perfection upon us as we pay for our groceries and suddenly remember we need hemorrhoid wipes. These are WOMEN'S magazines!
Themes of violence perpetrated against women usually guarantee good sales for movies and television programs. Entertainment that portrays women as normal human beings struggling to survive in a difficult world (just like the other 49 percent of the U. S. population) is tough to find. Women who are not young and beautiful do not live on Planet Hollywood.
What we will not see in advertisements, movies or TV shows are women who resemble those you meet every day and know well. You will not see your mother, your sister, your favorite aunt, your friend, yourself unless you catch a newscaster's interview with family victims of a tragedy or natural disaster. Even there, attempts will be made to find the most desperate looking victims, the sexiest, or the dumbest - all preferable to a normal woman (or man either in this instance).
A student project from Santa Monica College I found on YouTube is a little long but you have to love them. I would like to give them all hugs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w44B1JzdwXY
Shows like The Bachelor, Real Housewives of Orange County (Atlanta, New Jersey, whatever) and CSI portray women as physically perfect, sex-crazed, intellectually challenged bimbos or tantalizingly dressed, impossibly thin, supposedly hard-as-nails detectives.
For news commentary, how about more Cokie Roberts, Christiane Amanpour, Candy Crowley and less Betty Nguyen, Alisyn Camerota and Maria Bartiromo (CNBC's "Money Honey")?
There are no more Roseannes. Roseanne Barr was my heroine. Her show was gutsy, in your face and its characters resembled people I could imagine actually knowing. She brazenly fought her producers tooth and nail until she achieved artistic control, willing to be called "difficult," "temperamental" and "controlling" to do it.
Disclaimer: Last season did bring us a handful of promising new sitcoms - The Middle, Modern Family and Parenthood. The situations are promising, but all but two of the female leads are the usual drop-dead gorgeous prototypes.
Women are not oblivious to the spurious nature of the media standards set for them. Check out the "Real Woman Fashion Show" at UC Davis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nvu7uYQw-M&NR=1
Those California students are savvy!
Finally, a taste of what your pre-teen daughters and granddaughters are about to face:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei6JvK0W60I&feature=related
Is there sexism in media? Is there anything else?
Possibly coming soon: Sexism - The Fellow Travelers
When it comes to sexism, the liberal left and conservative right media are on the same page. The left coverage of Sarah Palin and the right coverage of Nancy Pelosi are equally despicable.
Liberal MSNBC's coverage of the 2008 presidential campaign was unremittingly critical of Hillary Clinton and began pressing for her withdrawal from the campaign long before the tide of primary results turned against her. Mike Barnacle, Chris Matthews, Pat Buchanan, Dan Shuster, and yes, even Keith Olbermann, all participated. MSNBC's egregious sexism rivaled the ultra-conservative Fox News - no mean trick.
Then there is popular pundit, "politically incorrect" Bill Maher. Rare is the "Real Time with Bill Maher" episode that doesn't include a vicious attack on women. It pains me that someone with whom I agree on many issues is a misogynistic male-gonad-head. (I tried to clean that up, but no other expression worked for me.)
Women are objectified in advertising. Rap music videos portray abuse of women as if it merits a badge of honor. Magazine covers at the supermarket and drug store checkouts force photo-shopped images of unattainable female perfection upon us as we pay for our groceries and suddenly remember we need hemorrhoid wipes. These are WOMEN'S magazines!
Themes of violence perpetrated against women usually guarantee good sales for movies and television programs. Entertainment that portrays women as normal human beings struggling to survive in a difficult world (just like the other 49 percent of the U. S. population) is tough to find. Women who are not young and beautiful do not live on Planet Hollywood.
What we will not see in advertisements, movies or TV shows are women who resemble those you meet every day and know well. You will not see your mother, your sister, your favorite aunt, your friend, yourself unless you catch a newscaster's interview with family victims of a tragedy or natural disaster. Even there, attempts will be made to find the most desperate looking victims, the sexiest, or the dumbest - all preferable to a normal woman (or man either in this instance).
A student project from Santa Monica College I found on YouTube is a little long but you have to love them. I would like to give them all hugs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w44B1JzdwXY
Shows like The Bachelor, Real Housewives of Orange County (Atlanta, New Jersey, whatever) and CSI portray women as physically perfect, sex-crazed, intellectually challenged bimbos or tantalizingly dressed, impossibly thin, supposedly hard-as-nails detectives.
For news commentary, how about more Cokie Roberts, Christiane Amanpour, Candy Crowley and less Betty Nguyen, Alisyn Camerota and Maria Bartiromo (CNBC's "Money Honey")?
There are no more Roseannes. Roseanne Barr was my heroine. Her show was gutsy, in your face and its characters resembled people I could imagine actually knowing. She brazenly fought her producers tooth and nail until she achieved artistic control, willing to be called "difficult," "temperamental" and "controlling" to do it.
Disclaimer: Last season did bring us a handful of promising new sitcoms - The Middle, Modern Family and Parenthood. The situations are promising, but all but two of the female leads are the usual drop-dead gorgeous prototypes.
Women are not oblivious to the spurious nature of the media standards set for them. Check out the "Real Woman Fashion Show" at UC Davis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nvu7uYQw-M&NR=1
Those California students are savvy!
Finally, a taste of what your pre-teen daughters and granddaughters are about to face:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei6JvK0W60I&feature=related
Is there sexism in media? Is there anything else?
Possibly coming soon: Sexism - The Fellow Travelers
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Sexism and the Working Mother: You've come a long way, Baby?
"There's a lot more to being a woman than being a mother, but there's a hell of lot more to being a mother than most people suspect." Roseanne Barr.
From Rosie the Riveter, forced out of the workplace when World War II ended, to the rigidly constrained housewives of the fifties, the bra burning sixties and the consciousness-raising seventies, here we are, poised to begin the second decade of the 21st century. Women no longer have to choose between homemaking and working - most must do both!
Wake up, get yourself ready for work and the children ready for day care or school; out of the house by 7:15 a.m.; drop off the kids; hustle to work. Work hard. At 5 - 5:30 p.m., race out of the office to pick up the kids; home about 6:30 p.m. if you're lucky. Make supper or, if you're running late as usual, grab takeout on the way home, feed the family and clean up. Try to spend at least an hour of quality time with the kids, check their homework and school reports, get them ready for bed. 9 p.m. choices - catch up on a few of those never-ending chores, an hour of relaxation or what your body is craving - SLEEP, so you can start the whole process over again the next day. Note: This is the easy schedule. If you work in the health care, emergency services or hospitality industries, your shifts will never match the day care center's and you will need to find a reliable babysitter, pull alternate shifts with your husband, or have a very helpful extended family (do they still exist?).
If you have to leave work for a child care issue - sickness, behavior, snowstorm - your employer will likely list every instance that year when you exercised this "privilege." You are constantly torn in different directions - at work worrying about the things you should be doing for your family; at home - thinking about all the things you need to get done at work. Saturdays are spent shopping, banking, paying bills, transporting kids to Karate, dance, soccer. Sundays are spent trying to squeeze church and family activities in between all those chores you never manage to get done during the week. Monday it all starts over again.
Most women have little job security and make considerably less than their male counterparts. Married moms occasionally have husbands who pull some of the weight. Many don't. Single moms carry a burden that would make Atlas Shrug (apologies to Ayn Rand).
Oh yeah, you've come a long way, Baby.
Coming as soon as I can boil it down to manageable proportions - Sexism in the Media.
From Rosie the Riveter, forced out of the workplace when World War II ended, to the rigidly constrained housewives of the fifties, the bra burning sixties and the consciousness-raising seventies, here we are, poised to begin the second decade of the 21st century. Women no longer have to choose between homemaking and working - most must do both!
Wake up, get yourself ready for work and the children ready for day care or school; out of the house by 7:15 a.m.; drop off the kids; hustle to work. Work hard. At 5 - 5:30 p.m., race out of the office to pick up the kids; home about 6:30 p.m. if you're lucky. Make supper or, if you're running late as usual, grab takeout on the way home, feed the family and clean up. Try to spend at least an hour of quality time with the kids, check their homework and school reports, get them ready for bed. 9 p.m. choices - catch up on a few of those never-ending chores, an hour of relaxation or what your body is craving - SLEEP, so you can start the whole process over again the next day. Note: This is the easy schedule. If you work in the health care, emergency services or hospitality industries, your shifts will never match the day care center's and you will need to find a reliable babysitter, pull alternate shifts with your husband, or have a very helpful extended family (do they still exist?).
If you have to leave work for a child care issue - sickness, behavior, snowstorm - your employer will likely list every instance that year when you exercised this "privilege." You are constantly torn in different directions - at work worrying about the things you should be doing for your family; at home - thinking about all the things you need to get done at work. Saturdays are spent shopping, banking, paying bills, transporting kids to Karate, dance, soccer. Sundays are spent trying to squeeze church and family activities in between all those chores you never manage to get done during the week. Monday it all starts over again.
Most women have little job security and make considerably less than their male counterparts. Married moms occasionally have husbands who pull some of the weight. Many don't. Single moms carry a burden that would make Atlas Shrug (apologies to Ayn Rand).
Oh yeah, you've come a long way, Baby.
Coming as soon as I can boil it down to manageable proportions - Sexism in the Media.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Sexism in Politics
The day Hillary Clinton withdrew from the presidential campaign, I cried. I went next door and my neighbor Wanda and I commiserated with each other. For one brief shining season we thought the unthinkable was possible - we might have a woman president in our lifetimes. A woman whom we both admired and supported.
I do not forgive the obsessive media concentration on Clinton's hair, her clothes, her "shrillness," her "emotionalism." She was constantly and mercilessly belittled. While everyone was waxing ecstatic about the strong campaign an African American was running, Hillary was widely criticized for not bowing to the inevitable and giving in to the tide of history - as if her election would not have been equally historic.
Kristen Schaal's Daily Show segment on sexism during the campaign nailed it: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-june-5-2008/sexism
Had Hillary been elected, her presidency would have been plagued by unabashed misogyny. Since Nancy Pelosi became Speaker of the House, commentary about her expensive clothes, Botox treatments and tightly controlled demeanor has been as vitriolic as the opposition to her policies. If Pelosi were not so rigidly controlled, she never would have risen so far. If she were not as tough-minded as Tom Delay (former Republican House Majority Leader), her legislative record would not be so successful. In Delay it was considered tough-mindedness, in Pelosi it is more likely to be labeled "bitchiness." (One indication of her power? She is as vilified by Republicans as Delay was by Democrats!)
The Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill debacle in the early 1990s still burns in my brain. All those self righteous members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, secure in their superiority - Hatch, Biden, Specter, Leahy come most readily to mind - treating Hill, a subpoenaed witness, with marked condescension. I would gleefully have thrown any one of them under the electoral bus if they had been running in my state. The bitter taste of those hearings endures to this day. One of the few things I feel Obama has gotten right is his nomination of two women to the Supreme Court.
I confess a reluctant admiration for Sarah Palin, who has managed to neutralize the sexism of the right and refudiate the misogyny of the left. I detest her political positions, but am awed (and terrified) by her success. Incidentally, I think refudiate is a GREAT word.
On April 10, 2001 Lieutenant Governor Jane Swift became the first woman governor of Massachusetts when Governor Paul Cellucci resigned to become the U. S. Ambassador to Canada. Swift made two huge mistakes - she came from the Berkshires, the western section of the state residents of the more populous eastern half tend to ignore except for leaf peeping excursions in the fall, and she had a young family (her twin daughters were born while she was governor). Staffers occasionally watched her children. This was considered a serious ethics violation. I guess no male office holder ever asked for help when they unexpectedly had charge of their kids? She once took a state helicopter home when a child was sick. Ugly behavior. Obviously far worse offenses than the wide scale corruption that plagued Boston's "Big Dig" project for years. The attacks from the media and good old boy politicians began immediately and did not let up until the day she left office. She might well have had an undistinguished term anyway. But she was never given a chance.
I think Margaret Carlson was a little harsh in this article: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,219749,00.html
Not all women in public life are admirable, competent, likable or interesting. All deserve to be judged on their merits, not sexual stereotypes.
Below is a link to a video of Senatorial candidate Ken Buck's response last week to the question why voters should choose him over his opponent (cursor down the page to see the clip): http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2010/0723/Could-high-heels-joke-spike-Ken-Buck-Senate-campaign
I rest my case (temporarily).
Coming soon: Sexism - You've come a long way, baby?
I do not forgive the obsessive media concentration on Clinton's hair, her clothes, her "shrillness," her "emotionalism." She was constantly and mercilessly belittled. While everyone was waxing ecstatic about the strong campaign an African American was running, Hillary was widely criticized for not bowing to the inevitable and giving in to the tide of history - as if her election would not have been equally historic.
Kristen Schaal's Daily Show segment on sexism during the campaign nailed it: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-june-5-2008/sexism
Had Hillary been elected, her presidency would have been plagued by unabashed misogyny. Since Nancy Pelosi became Speaker of the House, commentary about her expensive clothes, Botox treatments and tightly controlled demeanor has been as vitriolic as the opposition to her policies. If Pelosi were not so rigidly controlled, she never would have risen so far. If she were not as tough-minded as Tom Delay (former Republican House Majority Leader), her legislative record would not be so successful. In Delay it was considered tough-mindedness, in Pelosi it is more likely to be labeled "bitchiness." (One indication of her power? She is as vilified by Republicans as Delay was by Democrats!)
The Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill debacle in the early 1990s still burns in my brain. All those self righteous members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, secure in their superiority - Hatch, Biden, Specter, Leahy come most readily to mind - treating Hill, a subpoenaed witness, with marked condescension. I would gleefully have thrown any one of them under the electoral bus if they had been running in my state. The bitter taste of those hearings endures to this day. One of the few things I feel Obama has gotten right is his nomination of two women to the Supreme Court.
I confess a reluctant admiration for Sarah Palin, who has managed to neutralize the sexism of the right and refudiate the misogyny of the left. I detest her political positions, but am awed (and terrified) by her success. Incidentally, I think refudiate is a GREAT word.
On April 10, 2001 Lieutenant Governor Jane Swift became the first woman governor of Massachusetts when Governor Paul Cellucci resigned to become the U. S. Ambassador to Canada. Swift made two huge mistakes - she came from the Berkshires, the western section of the state residents of the more populous eastern half tend to ignore except for leaf peeping excursions in the fall, and she had a young family (her twin daughters were born while she was governor). Staffers occasionally watched her children. This was considered a serious ethics violation. I guess no male office holder ever asked for help when they unexpectedly had charge of their kids? She once took a state helicopter home when a child was sick. Ugly behavior. Obviously far worse offenses than the wide scale corruption that plagued Boston's "Big Dig" project for years. The attacks from the media and good old boy politicians began immediately and did not let up until the day she left office. She might well have had an undistinguished term anyway. But she was never given a chance.
I think Margaret Carlson was a little harsh in this article: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,219749,00.html
Not all women in public life are admirable, competent, likable or interesting. All deserve to be judged on their merits, not sexual stereotypes.
Below is a link to a video of Senatorial candidate Ken Buck's response last week to the question why voters should choose him over his opponent (cursor down the page to see the clip): http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2010/0723/Could-high-heels-joke-spike-Ken-Buck-Senate-campaign
I rest my case (temporarily).
Coming soon: Sexism - You've come a long way, baby?
Sunday, July 25, 2010
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."
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."
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