Bravo, Anonymous Coward.
I'm a woman who grew up in the "Anything a guy can do a woman can do better" era. I've witnessed the change from the demand for equal rights (a worthy cause) to an unequal men-are-scum mentality by at least some women. I'm fortunate to be married to a man who grew up in a household where the women were subservient but who is now playing Mr. Mom while I attend school full time. He's marvelous and I appreciate him tremendously. When other women in my classes complain about their husbands I brag about mine. Many times these women simply don't see all their husbands/significant others do.
Several years ago I wrote an essay for an English class outlining the changes mentioned above. Many women want equal rights but see those equal rights as having their cake and eating it too. Rising to the top of the corporate ladder? Wonderful. Women have the capability. Making the sacrifices necessary to climb the ladder and stay at the top? Nope. And women should be allowed to leave the higher level jobs and return to the workforce years later at the same level. So the story goes.
Many men do try to be equal partners today but find their efforts are criticized. The dishes are washed wrong, the laundry isn't correctly folded, vacuuming should go against the nap rather than with it, etc. More and more men are taking at least an equal share of caring for their children but in a divorce situation who usually gets custody? That's right...mom. Women want to look attractive and dress accordingly but if a man gives her the once over more than once he's a sexist pig. On the other hand men find it a compliment to be told they have a nice butt or something similar.
And watch out if a woman says she's been sexually harassed at any time anywhere. The man is forever suspect even if (and it's a big if even when the allegations are false) he's found to be completely innocent. I know of one man, a wonderful teacher and all around great guy, who spent time in jail when he was found guilty of sexually abusing his step daughter. Yes, it's a horrible crime but what was not allowed in court was the fact that the mother had used her daughter in the same tactic with a previous husband. The teacher was reinstated at his job and had plenty of support from his co-workers throughout the process but he's not the same man willing to spend all the time it takes to help a struggling student.
Equal rights means just that...equal. Not equal when it suits me or change the rules to benefit me, but equal.
Sorry for the long post. As you can tell, this is a soapbox issue for me.
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Bravo, Anonymous Coward. I'm a woman who grew up in the "Anything a guy can do a woman can do better" era. I've witnessed the change from the demand for equal rights (a worthy cause) to an unequal men-are-scum mentality by at least some women. I'm fortunate to be married to a man who grew up in a household where the women were subservient but who is now playing Mr. Mom while I attend school full time. He's marvelous and I appreciate him tremendously. When other women in my classes complain about their husbands I brag about mine. Many times these women simply don't see all their husbands/significant others do. Several years ago I wrote an essay for an English class outlining the changes mentioned above. Many women want equal rights but see those equal rights as having their cake and eating it too. Rising to the top of the corporate ladder? Wonderful. Women have the capability. Making the sacrifices necessary to climb the ladder and stay at the top? Nope. And women should be allowed to leave the higher level jobs and return to the workforce years later at the same level. So the story goes. Many men do try to be equal partners today but find their efforts are criticized. The dishes are washed wrong, the laundry isn't correctly folded, vacuuming should go against the nap rather than with it, etc. More and more men are taking at least an equal share of caring for their children but in a divorce situation who usually gets custody? That's right...mom. Women want to look attractive and dress accordingly but if a man gives her the once over more than once he's a sexist pig. On the other hand men find it a compliment to be told they have a nice butt or something similar. And watch out if a woman says she's been sexually harassed at any time anywhere. The man is forever suspect even if (and it's a big if even when the allegations are false) he's found to be completely innocent. I know of one man, a wonderful teacher and all around great guy, who spent time in jail when he was found guilty of sexually abusing his step daughter. Yes, it's a horrible crime but what was not allowed in court was the fact that the mother had used her daughter in the same tactic with a previous husband. The teacher was reinstated at his job and had plenty of support from his co-workers throughout the process but he's not the same man willing to spend all the time it takes to help a struggling student. Equal rights means just that...equal. Not equal when it suits me or change the rules to benefit me, but equal. Sorry for the long post. As you can tell, this is a soapbox issue for me.