Sexism: The Other Stereotype

[Phantom]

Hey all, I'm sure almost everyone here knows what "Sexism" or "Sexist" is, and no before you ask this isn't a thread to talk about "sex" lol. Sexism is discrimination against one's gender ( aka Gender Disrimination), like Racial discrimination or discrimation against someone's sexuality. On Tv or just in real life I've heard alot of things regarding in terms of Sexism or someone who is a sexist. Some or most of these are directed toward women, and in half of these, men. I'm sure most have heard of someone saying: "Women only"/ "Men Only", or this is a "Man's World". Or some like: "Men shouldn't act like this", "Men don't cry, their boys", or "This is my woman, women were born for the sole purpose of serving men."





So in most cases women aren't the only ones going through this, men are also going through it also, even through some might not even realize it. I've heard lots of "Men should act like Men", "Women are weaklings" and "Women should'nt be allowed to vote". Sexism is mixed into the hopelessly neverending fabric of Stereotypes. Why aren't there laws that forbid Discrimination of gender, race, and sexual oreintation? Sure I've seen it in job applications and what not about "Does not Discriminate against this and that", but it still happens. And women aren't the only ones that has met with Sexism, I bet plenty of us guys probarly have been there as well, I have. Ok, time for me to shut up lol, anyway I want to know what is everyone's "take" or opinon on Sexism and other Stereotypes? Be honest.

[Furore]

To me, I believe the biggest reasons our countries don't ban sexism and racism and the like are that we have the whole free speech thing going. And also if we did punish them, our jails would probably get even more crowded than some can get at times.

what is everyone's "take" or opinon on Sexism and other Stereotypes? Be honest.

I don't like sexism and even stereotyping BUT in some cases stereotypes can be valid to some extent. Sexism I find funny as it can be quite a weakness. Underestimating someone of a certain sex or sexuality can be quite dangerous...
Funny too if you're an observer.

Also I'll conclude by making the remark that some comments aren't made to be taken seriously. It's often just that some people need to 'harden the **** up' as us Australians say. Even if it is serious, just bite back. That's more fun.

[Zardoch]

Actually, if anything I think men are treated with sexism a lot more then women these days. How? Double standards. Why? Because of extremist. So no, I'm not talking about women in general, but there has been an ever-growing type of thinking, mostly from extreme feminist, that degrades men as "unintelligent sex addicts". What's even more sad is how many men seem to agree with this because "the woman is always right". It irritates me to no end for women to jump on that bandwagon and pisses me off when guys agree with it just to avoid a debate or argument.

To me, feminism has won its battle ever since the 60's, yet nowadays I think they take it too far. Yes, women are equal, but they're also pushing that balance since things are more likely to go in their favor in modern life situations. It's like Al Sharpton calling racism when it is irrelevant to the actual argument. They can push and push, and push some more until they get what they want. Furthermore, the idea of abusing that right to be equal has also been installed into children so when they grow up they immediately think a man is a walking Al Bundy with his hand down his pants.

Anyway, my take on sexism is no one needs to prove a damn thing. Just because someone says you can't do this or that since it's something only [insert gender here] can do, doesn't mean you can't. Doesn't mean you can either, but it always turns into some "Who's got the bigger balls" contest with either person(s) trying to force their ideas onto the other much like religious and non-religious folk going at it. The only time when you can really call sexism, however, is if you do your job well and your boss fires you BECAUSE you're a [insert gender here]. It's all about being politically correct for the spoiled children who abuse the idea of sexism to their advantage.

EDIT: I'll also agree with celtic that sexism can be funny at times. Maybe it's taken too far at certain moments or maybe the other gender takes the joke too seriously, but it should be treated lightly with a laugh in the end.

[Jin]

Here's the thing. Women are legally equal these days, yes, but they still are not seen as equal in society's eyes. All you have to do is look at the old argument of women's pay versus men's and for certain it is lower for the same job on average. Also, there are far fewer women in positions of power as there are men.*

Here's the problem: you can't change someone's opinion. No matter how legally equal women are, there are going to be men and women alike that do not see them that way. A good 7000ish years of male dominted society can't be washed away in a century. People who think they can change this faster are the current "femenists" (I hate that term because it's so ambiguous, but I'm talking about the male haters now). They want to be either seen as equal or better by all men on the planet. Not going to happen. When they try to force people to agree, that's what people mean when they use the term "liberal fascism" (a great oxymoron). You can't force people to see you as equal in a liberal democracy. The best you can do is give women the same legal rights as men, which they have. People's opinions have to evolve, revolutions don't work.

Men get stereotyped just as much for sure. A woman that looks like a man will get far fewer "what the ****" stares than a man that looks like a woman. Being one that used to wear eyeliner, I know that first hand. The homophobes immediately scoff because you're a "faggot". Why people care so much what others do and look like is beyond me really.

*Some of this is due to the age gap. Think how long it takes to get positions of power. You have to start young and when many of the women of ripe age were young, they didn't have the same oppertunities.

[Pete]

Two things that greatly bother me, that are incredibly sexist are the notion that women are somewhat infallible in sexual harassment cases, regardless of what actually happens. I know this is a bit extreme, but a woman could essentially sit in a chair facing a doorway, spread eagle, and then complain to her boss that all her male coworkers are making comments and trying to look up her skirt. Of course, they all get disciplined (in some form or another, because if the boss doesn't, then it's his/her ass on the line), but the situation itself is essentially entrapment. I'm sure you could poke a million holes in the scenario itself, but you really have to wonder how many women go about wearing somewhat inappropriate things to work, only to complain when someone comments. Not to say this happens to all women.

It also frustrates me how in family courts dealing with divorces and child custody, it seems as if the man always gets screwed over. It's quite rare that a judge grants custody to the father, despite the fact that he may even be the better parent. I don't know much about this but from what I've seen, only very few kids from divorced parents live with the father.


Those were the two main issues. I also hate the Lifetime network with a passion. Not every man is a rapist/sexual harasser/wife beater with a criminal past/ hidden affair/ child, etc.

[Rydia Lover]

HAHAHAHA! I think the extreme fememnists are a joke. Its the women like those that partly make me ashaimed to be a women. yes i completely agree whe alot of men say they are being treated unfairly these days. It happens alot in schools too, recently a junior ws expelled for asault and sexual harrasment when he was accually the victim, but the administors toke the girl's word over his simply because he was a male. now, not to say that sexism doesnt go both ways, but i definatly think that it is geared more towards men now than women.

I also hate the Lifetime network with a passion. Not every man is a rapist/sexual harasser/wife beater with a criminal past/ hidden affair/ child, etc.

LOL. Sorry but i love lifetime, but just to watch reba, and the golden girls (sorry but i absolutly love that show!), and still standing, not much for the movies though(they have alot of porn stars acting in them now).

[Martin]

I used to see a lot of sexism where I used to work, like all the checkout staff would be women and all the physical shift work would be carried out by the men. But because of new legislation you do notice the shift in roles. Some of the heavier manual work is carried out by the ladies, and some roles generally considered to be the woman's job are carried out by the men such as working on deli's, in the restaurant we have etc.

I've never been one to stereotype but I would say that's because I'm a fairly tolerant person to begin with. Everyone is equal in my eyes, and if that makes me sound unrealistic and passe then fair enough. It's the truth though. I'm not better than anyone else, but just the same they're not better than me either.

[Momo Mastermind]

I really don't have too much to say on this, mostly because I'm sure all [or most] of you know where I stand on this [sexism ='s a nono] but I will tell a ridiculous story... or tidbit.. or.... just call it what you will; it's funny.

I use to hang out a lot with a female friend of mine, let's call her Mary. Well Mary was all for equal rights, and rather opinionated with the whole sexism issue. If something came up in conversation being even remotely connected to the male/female difference, she would somehow find a reason to call men "pigs" and say that I'm sexist, and all of that circus music. It REALLY got on my nerved after so long, mostly because I have NEVER once said ANYTHING that could degrade women and I'm 100% for equality of EVERY nature, and here she is calling all men pigs, slobs, sexists, rapist, etc...

It was disgustingly sad because while trying to prove her point of equality and trying to break the female stereotypes, she was slinging mud at the male gender, stereotyping us, desgrading us, all of that ridiculous whatnot. It was funny because she was SO blatantly doing this, but would deny it every time I brought it up.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Inagi]

I really don't have too much to say on this, mostly because I'm sure all [or most] of you know where I stand on this [sexism ='s a nono] but I will tell a ridiculous story... or tidbit.. or.... just call it what you will; it's funny.

I use to hang out a lot with a female friend of mine, let's call her Mary. Well Mary was all for equal rights, and rather opinionated with the whole sexism issue. If something came up in conversation being even remotely connected to the male/female difference, she would somehow find a reason to call men "pigs" and say that I'm sexist, and all of that circus music. It REALLY got on my nerved after so long, mostly because I have NEVER once said ANYTHING that could degrade women and I'm 100% for equality of EVERY nature, and here she is calling all men pigs, slobs, sexists, rapist, etc...

It was disgustingly sad because while trying to prove her point of equality and trying to break the female stereotypes, she was slinging mud at the male gender, stereotyping us, desgrading us, all of that ridiculous whatnot. It was funny because she was SO blatantly doing this, but would deny it every time I brought it up.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I really gotta go with Rydia.Lover and Momo on this one.

I'm against any kind of sexism/racism/religionism(isthataword?), in any shape or form. (though a good racist joke is ok every now and then..but not so much, yaknow?)

And I think feminism extremists are insane..not saying women should have equal rights, but it's just not helping them. It's making men, and some women hate them even more, and increasing the stereotype.

You can't fight fire with fire.

When you put fire on fire.

You get more fire.

Simple as that.

I think it's all silly.

[Fluffy]

I have to agree with the sentiments on extreme feminists. I'm all for equal rights, but they simply take it too far. They often stereotypically call men pigs, among other names, sometimes even to people who are obviously being nice to them regardless of their hatred of men.

There are also a lot of double standards in the favor of women. To name a few, women getting some jobs simply because of their looks or being treated nicer simply for being women. One of the major ones I personally have a problem with is when it comes to children. Women are perfectly fine around children. They can be around them and not be suspected of anything. But if you're a 20+ year old man and are around children, you had better have a very good reason to justify your presence.

I also have to agree with Pete when it comes to sexual harassment. Men are nearly always at fault, no matter the circumstances. Women can get away with so much stuff and it won't even be considered negative, while men can get in trouble for any little thing.

Another one, slightly on another topic, but somewhat related would be when it comes to abortion. Please note that I don't wish to change the topic of this, so I don't mean to put much emphasis here. When it comes to abortion, women have the final word. I understand that they will be the one carrying the baby, but that isn't only their baby. However, the man has absolutely no say when it comes to the final decision. If the woman decides it has to go, then it has to go.

That isn't to say that there aren't double standards in favor of men as well. I don't agree with these either. Sometimes women aren't thought capable of performing certain tasks. One common, albeit probably not extremely serious, instance of this happening would be when it comes to the world of gaming. Women are often thought to be inferior to men, or otherwise incapable of playing.

When it comes to joking about such things, it's fine as long as it's obviously and sincerely a joke. Just because it's meant as a joke doesn't make it okay though. There are jokes which are inherently meant to be harmful. As long as they're sincerely meant to be funny, I have no problem with them.

[Halie]

I am kind of against it, but it's never actually affected me. I've seen people stereotype others because of they're gender and all, but when someone does it to me because I'm a girl, it doesn't actually make me angry or anything. I don't think sexism is that big of a deal. I don't think it's right, but not as bad as racism, or homophobia. I absolutely hate racism because I think it is in fact sick to take the piss out of someone or insult them because of they're colour, or to isolate them because of it. Maybe I feel this way because I've just never seen anyone be hurt very much by sexism, and have only ever seen people exaggerate over it. Like, take my friend for example, she can be a proper idiot sometimes and accuse a person of being sexist, and make a big deal out of it for no reason, when this person wasn't doing anything of the sort. I've seen loads of people do this, so I'm quite sick of people moaning about sexism when no one is being sexist. But in a situation where someone is discriminating another because of they're sex, then I will get pissed off about it.

I see people being racist everyday, and people who are homophobic about gays/lesbians/bisexuals, though. Hardly ever any REAL sexism.