Sexism. This is a topic I've been thinking a lot about lately.
Women have been deprived of equal rights for hundreds of years. It was only in 1982 that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms gave all Canadians equal rights to one-another; and the idea that nobody was above anyone else.
All Canadian women were officially allowed to vote in 1940 (Québec being last). I believe for Ontario it was 1918. Women weren't even given the right to vote because men wanted them to be able to have more rights (well kinda..) but the real reason was because of conscription.
Today in Canada still, women are typically being paid 70% less than men. I didn't know that. I believed they were being paid equally -because I wanted to believe it... because they wanted me to believe it.
What I really wanted to talk about more specifically though, are the different ways men and women react to each other in certain situations.
Scenario #1
Let's say a woman see's a very attractive looking man. Hypothetically they're at the beach and the man is tan with a very fit body. The woman might give him a head nod or say "hey good looking" (something like that). Chances are, the man will be pleased and reply in the same manner or even maybe say thank you. I've never seen, or heard of a man becoming outraged by a woman complementing a man on his body/appearance, have you?
Scenario #2
At the beach again. A man see's a beautiful woman with a fit body, and perhaps a tan? He gives her a head nod and say's something along the lines of, "how you doin'?" Chances are the woman wouldn't react like the man and calmly reply in the same manner. She would most likely become insulted and go off ranting "How dare you talk to me in that tone of voice", or "how dare you look at me like that! Stop staring at my body!". Just a guess. I mean, am I the only one who while reading this can imagine it really well?, as if it were legitimate. It's probably because you've heard about it, experienced it yourself, seen it in real life or even on TV.
But why is it that women act so much more differently than men in these situations? Women tend (not always, but usually) to take such offence when they're being complimented like that, yet they would have no trouble doing the same thing to a man? Is it because women have only more recently been given equal rights? Is that just the way women are? For gosh sakes, I am a female and it doesn't even make sense to me!
I understand that women want to be treated equally and not every woman wants to get hit on wherever they go, but it's meant to be a compliment for the most part. I also understand there's a line that clearly states 'too far' Danger, Danger! For the most part I feel men respect that (...in Canada.) But why is it that a woman can treat a man the same way a man would treat her that she didn't appreciate, and see it as okay? A woman might tell a man he has a great body, but if he said that to her she might take offence and become defensive. She might ask for a picture of his chest but if he dared ask her he'd be in hot water. Why though? I understand the woman's POV to a certain extent, but when they're 'acting in the exact same degrading manner' it just makes NO sense!
I thought math was hard to understand, women are even harder...
Women have been deprived of equal rights for hundreds of years. It was only in 1982 that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms gave all Canadians equal rights to one-another; and the idea that nobody was above anyone else.
All Canadian women were officially allowed to vote in 1940 (Québec being last). I believe for Ontario it was 1918. Women weren't even given the right to vote because men wanted them to be able to have more rights (well kinda..) but the real reason was because of conscription.
Today in Canada still, women are typically being paid 70% less than men. I didn't know that. I believed they were being paid equally -because I wanted to believe it... because they wanted me to believe it.
What I really wanted to talk about more specifically though, are the different ways men and women react to each other in certain situations.
Scenario #1
Let's say a woman see's a very attractive looking man. Hypothetically they're at the beach and the man is tan with a very fit body. The woman might give him a head nod or say "hey good looking" (something like that). Chances are, the man will be pleased and reply in the same manner or even maybe say thank you. I've never seen, or heard of a man becoming outraged by a woman complementing a man on his body/appearance, have you?
Scenario #2
At the beach again. A man see's a beautiful woman with a fit body, and perhaps a tan? He gives her a head nod and say's something along the lines of, "how you doin'?" Chances are the woman wouldn't react like the man and calmly reply in the same manner. She would most likely become insulted and go off ranting "How dare you talk to me in that tone of voice", or "how dare you look at me like that! Stop staring at my body!". Just a guess. I mean, am I the only one who while reading this can imagine it really well?, as if it were legitimate. It's probably because you've heard about it, experienced it yourself, seen it in real life or even on TV.
But why is it that women act so much more differently than men in these situations? Women tend (not always, but usually) to take such offence when they're being complimented like that, yet they would have no trouble doing the same thing to a man? Is it because women have only more recently been given equal rights? Is that just the way women are? For gosh sakes, I am a female and it doesn't even make sense to me!
I understand that women want to be treated equally and not every woman wants to get hit on wherever they go, but it's meant to be a compliment for the most part. I also understand there's a line that clearly states 'too far' Danger, Danger! For the most part I feel men respect that (...in Canada.) But why is it that a woman can treat a man the same way a man would treat her that she didn't appreciate, and see it as okay? A woman might tell a man he has a great body, but if he said that to her she might take offence and become defensive. She might ask for a picture of his chest but if he dared ask her he'd be in hot water. Why though? I understand the woman's POV to a certain extent, but when they're 'acting in the exact same degrading manner' it just makes NO sense!
I thought math was hard to understand, women are even harder...
I can readily see the points you make. I agree with you. What gets me is when a nice looking woman dresses in say a short mini skirt, a low riding blouse, a very revealing bikini or any other combination which is sure to make any red blooded male take notice, then act so disgusted if they catch you even looking at them let alone saying something nice to them. I dont get it either. And as a man I would really appreciate Any compliment coming from a nice lookoing lady or anyone else as far as that goes. There is still a gender bias I know and I doubt if we will weevr get past having one. Sure hope your weekend has been a good one!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad someone else understands what I'm trying to say! You're right!-It's very annoying when women dress revealingly and when they're hit on by men or maybe even women, become offended and upset you would look at their body or degrade them in such a manner.. ugh, some women...
ReplyDeleteThanks, you as well!