Four or five years ago, I had a flare-up of a previous bitch session. Someone or something happened to get me back on the “X… For Women!” rant. I knew how I felt about it then: Lame bullshit for lame women. A lengthy discussion took place with a few friends in a chat server. We covered “Men’s Clubs” (the cigar and hang out type, not the stripping type), gender-specific gyms, and 20 other scenarios.
After a week or so of stewing, I came to the conclusion that I needed to hear perspectives from women about the topic. I drafted 10 questions or so, and sent them to 10-15 women I knew (pretty varied women, too). I asked them to be as brutally honest as possible. I got 7 full and thoughtful responses and to my great surprise, there really wasn’t much pattern to the answers. I wish I still had the survey to show you, but I don’t.
Anyway, here’s my take on things. Comments welcome as always.
I think the first thing to really get my ass burning about all of this was Healthworks when I lived in Boston. Every time I passed one, I wanted to go in, register successfully (I’m male, by the way), or start a lawsuit of some sort if denied. And if I got in? I would make a point to LEER at the women relentlessly. I consider it escapist bullshit for weak women. All of the arguments I got in favor of Healthworks were along the lines of “I don’t want to be leered at.” Tough shit. Welcome to reality. You know what might help to better your reality? Working to change it instead of hiding yourself in safe escapist holes marketed at you and your mindset.
The next thing to chap my ass was books. Apparently women need their own books on running because we need to address sport bras. You know, because the male and female physique are so completely at odds when it comes to tough chores like moving your legs. Fashion Tips for Women? Fine! I don’t have your figure. Logical book. Financial planning for women? Are you serious? Where’s the book for Amputee Financial Planning?
Okay, so that’s one base covered on books. The other is collections of female-only works. When are we going to get past this shit people? I don’t need to know you’re a woman unless it applies. I don’t need to know you’re african unless it applies. I don’t need to know you’re an Irish transvestite unless it applies. Eeee teee ceee.
So here’s a new little game for everyone to play. Go to Amazon.com or your favorite internet bookseller, pick a random topic from your head, add “for women”, and search for it. Woodworking for Women. I swear.
Here’s a better game. The next time you visit Barnes and Noble or Borders, turn every bogus “for Women” book around or hide it behind a book “for Men” … if you can find one. Chances are you’ll find one “for Men” book for every 50 “for Women”. Wonder why that is. I’m sure it’s not marketing tactics.
I think what is most stunning to me is the lack of backlash. How it is that this shit is on store shelves as an accepted representation of your gender is beyond me. I can bet you “Woodworking for Blacks[sic]” would be front page news from protests.
This of course goes for every other completely ridiculous segregating concept, including whatever the hell that was I saw in automotive news sites lately about a gay-specific car rental place in the UK.
So, am I completely out of line? Give me some perspective.
One Comment
Perhaps it goes back to the point that some women feel that if they are to be considered along with men that they need to outperform or at least be equal. Of course this applies to a greater degree in areas that have previously been socially foreign territory (trade work, politics, armpit farting). One easy way to gain equality in an “unfair male dominated world” is to be guided by other women who have already done it — “mentors”. On the other side of the coin, many women may feel more comfortable interacting with only women. As in, “we understand each other”.
It would be interesting to hear comments from some women.