So I've just read Caitlin Moran's book,
How to be a Woman. She reached the same conclusion as me about the root of patriarchy throughout history - it basically comes down to an absence of painkillers, the Pill and decent maternity wards. Hundreds of years ago, we literally were the 'weaker sex', and as Moran says, it was 'prejudice based on fact'.
As a female in the olden days, you had to endure period pain and other womanly illnesses without any good medicine.
Then, after having sex (always unprotected), you'd get pregnant. If you didn't die from childbirth you'd be constantly exhausted from all the unwanted babies. Staying at home, rather than exploring the world and making pioneering contributions to science, politics and and so on, was the sad, but practical option.
I can then understand why women centuries ago were cooped up and dominated - at least only in a protective way, I'm not condoning rape or abuse. What do you guys think? Do you agree?
Of course, there is no place for discrimination now, we should be treated equally with men. We can work and live life to the full without the medical considerations. Nor is there any reason why men shouldn't stay at home and look after the kids if they want to.
What there was NEVER a place for was sexual exploitation. I can't quite believe what I just read here
:
I like to think I'm viewed as a human being with potential, not an object. Sure, I enjoy getting dressed up and the odd compliment, but within reason - not to the degree that I'm seen only as a sex object instead of a person.
Do you initially view men as sexual objects? If not, then why is it us who should be belittled and patronised?