[Dinnes]

*Disclaimer* Not in any way having a go at men (I am one so it'd be a bit counterintuitive) :P

Was just thinking about the difficulties that men and women face in society today, and came to the conclusion that you can make a real case for women generally having a tougher time of it. For one you have the biological issues: for instance, the whole labour/menstrual cycle issue, both of which I am reliably told are really annoying, painful and the like (not to forget PMS if you get that).
Then of course some people would argue (not necessarily me but hey) that there are societal difficulties posed to women - the whole sexualisation argument, which personally I think is a little flawed (edit: as do the majority of people on TSR it seems!).

Some of that may be a little inaccurate so correct me if I'm wrong, but us guys seem to have it comparatively easy. We don't seem to get any of those issues (no menopause either), and I'm really struggling to think of where we have it difficult. Certainly, the role men have in reproduction is very easy compared to the whole labour thing. Perhaps also that there's a bit of a pressure for guys to ask girls out and not the other way round, but that isn't a major problem.

What do you people think? I do really sympathise with the whole concept of being a woman because I'd say it's harder, even in today's society. Mostly biological issues I think.

If you all have any ideas then please post them If I've made any mistakes I'll correct them, just quote me

Dan


Edit: Conclusions we seemed to have reached so far is that socially neither have it easier or harder, but biologically women do have it harder
Edit 2: It having been mentioned several times, for clarification I am actually a guy.

Also I should point out something people seem to be highlighting - In the past of course there's the 'Coal Mine and War' argument; Men had a much greater burden of responsibility then because women were more oppressed and had much less independence, but to clarify this thread is about the here and now

Also quite interesting how controversial this topic is - quite a lot of thumbs up and thumbs down: if you're going to do either please quote me and challenge what I've said

[Dinnes]

(Original post by Kaytti)
I have to agree with you on most of it. Then again, I'm just being biased as I am a woman . It does seem that men can live life practically painfree in terms of unavoidable pain (sex, no menstrual cycle etc), and getting kicked in the balls, I'm really sorry to say is definitely less painful than childbirth.

You're gonna get a lot of love from women for that post!

Oh yes getting kicked in the balls is absolute agony :P That's the only thing. And yeah we sometimes (or at least I do) get slight hormonal shifts but from what my female friends tell me they're nothing compared to what PMS and such sounds like.

And woohoo :P hahaha jk but it's what I think I guess

Dan

[Annoying-Mouse]

What background sexism? Women aren't unfairly sexualized. Humans are creatures with sexual attractions, all the people in the media and whatnot are humans, thus it's no surprise that women are sexualized but so are men. Go on any women sites and look at how they react to semi-topless pictures of men. No different to how men react to women. It's just that there's a shift of focus to when men sexualize women because of the actual sexist theory that women are some delicate innocent creatures. If you want some men's issues, there's the fact that men are expected to be self-reliant, this means that they avoid getting regular check-ups and avoid talking about their feelings which can lead to depression or even suicide (men commit the most suicide),

I guess women have it more biologically harder but I'm not seeing much evidence of them having socially harder.

[dragon500uk]

(Original post by Dinnes)
Was just thinking about the difficulties that men and women face in society today, and came to the conclusion that there are a huge amount of things women have to deal with which men don't. For one you have the whole background sexism issue which, if it still exists, is generally still prejudiced against women rather than men: then you have the whole labour/menstrual cycle issue, both of which I am reliably told are a major pain (not to forget PMS if you get that). And then there's (as an extension of the sexism topic), the fact that women are unfairly sexualised in society.

Some of that may be a little inaccurate so correct me if I'm wrong, but us guys seem to have it comparatively easy. We don't seem to get any of those issues (no menopause either), and I'm really struggling to think of where we have it difficult. Perhaps that there's a bit of a pressure for guys to ask girls out and not the other way round, but that isn't a major problem.

What do you people think? I do really sympathise with the whole concept of being a woman because I'd say it's harder, even in today's society. Partially societal issues, partly biological I think.

If you all have any ideas then please post them If I've made any mistakes I'll correct them, just quote me

Dan

Getting it easy? Maybe.

At the end of the day nature provides us with the means to cope with our own sexualities. Hormones can be a bitch, but i wouldnt say it was hard to live with. Like most things, you put up with it and get use to it - and it becomes just another thing.


Also - I think we women actually have it easy, arent those random erections at innapropriate times a bit of a pain?

[PythianLegume]

(Original post by Annoying-Mouse)
What background sexism? Women aren't unfairly sexualized. Humans are creatures with sexual attractions, all the people in the media and whatnot are humans, thus it's no surprise that women are sexualized but so are men. Go on any women sites and look at how they react to semi-topless pictures of men. No different to how men react to women. It's just that there's a shift of focus to when men sexualize women because of the actual sexist theory that women are some delicate innocent creatures. If you want some men's issues, there's the fact that men are expected to be self-reliant, this means that they avoid getting regular check-ups and avoid talking about their feelings which can lead to depression or even suicide (men commit the most suicide),

I guess women have it more biologically harder but I'm not seeing much evidence of them having socially harder.

I definitely remember reading that women are more prone to depression than men - men just are more likely to commit suicide probably because they are more aggressive.

[Dinnes]

(Original post by Annoying-Mouse)
What background sexism? Women aren't unfairly sexualized. Humans are creatures with sexual attractions, all the people in the media and whatnot are humans, thus it's no surprise that women are sexualized but so are men. Go on any women sites and look at how they react to semi-topless pictures of men. No different to how men react to women. It's just that there's a shift of focus to when men sexualize women because of the actual sexist theory that women are some delicate innocent creatures. If you want some men's issues, there's the fact that men are expected to be self-reliant, this means that they avoid getting regular check-ups and avoid talking about their feelings which can lead to depression or even suicide (men commit the most suicide),

I guess women have it more biologically harder but I'm not seeing much evidence of them having socially harder.

The whole hollister thing is a manifestation of society being more balanced, but I think unfortunately there is still a stigma of women being expected to be housewives (you could say that's partly because of biology, being the mother, but my chinese teacher was a full time accountant at the same time).

I suppose my line of thinking came from observing how about 80% of primark was women's clothes, and just generally the huge variety and number of clothes, accessories, outfits, etc. compared to men.

[Dinnes]

(Original post by dragon500uk)
Getting it easy? Maybe.

At the end of the day nature provides us with the means to cope with our own sexualities. Hormones can be a bitch, but i wouldnt say it was hard to live with. Like most things, you put up with it and get use to it - and it becomes just another thing.


Also - I think we women actually have it easy, arent those random erections at innapropriate times a bit of a pain?

Haha I've heard this asked before, it really isn't a major issue and (for me at least), hardly ever happens. And reproduction? We have such an easy time of that :P

[TheCurlyHairedDude]

(Original post by Dinnes)
Was just thinking about the difficulties that men and women face in society today, and came to the conclusion that there are a huge amount of things women have to deal with which men don't. For one you have the whole background sexism issue which, if it still exists, is generally still prejudiced against women rather than men: then you have the whole labour/menstrual cycle issue, both of which I am reliably told are a major pain (not to forget PMS if you get that). And then there's (as an extension of the sexism topic), the fact that women are unfairly sexualised in society.

Some of that may be a little inaccurate so correct me if I'm wrong, but us guys seem to have it comparatively easy. We don't seem to get any of those issues (no menopause either), and I'm really struggling to think of where we have it difficult. Perhaps that there's a bit of a pressure for guys to ask girls out and not the other way round, but that isn't a major problem.

What do you people think? I do really sympathise with the whole concept of being a woman because I'd say it's harder, even in today's society. Partially societal issues, partly biological I think.

If you all have any ideas then please post them If I've made any mistakes I'll correct them, just quote me

Dan

That would only apply to guys with no confidence....

[Dinnes]

(Original post by TheCurlyHairedDude)
That would only apply to guys with no confidence....

Oh I see. Hmm.. perhaps. But a lot of my friends (female) have said they kind of expect guys to ask them rather than the other way round.

[Annoying-Mouse]

(Original post by Dinnes)
The whole hollister thing is a manifestation of society being more balanced, but I think unfortunately there is still a stigma of women being expected to be housewives (you could say that's partly because of biology, being the mother, but my chinese teacher was a full time accountant at the same time).

I suppose my line of thinking came from observing how about 80% of primark was women's clothes, and just generally the huge variety and number of clothes, accessories, outfits, etc. compared to men.

And where is your evidence that people expect women to be housewives? Number of married women working has been increasing a lot since the 60s.

Don't see why that's a problem. Women are just their primary target audience just like J.D sports generally targets men.

[Dinnes]

(Original post by Annoying-Mouse)
And where is your evidence that people expect women to be housewives? Number of married women working has been increasing a lot since the 60s.

Don't see why that's a problem. Women are just their primary target audience just like J.D sports generally targets men.

I don't have any actual hard evidence so fair enough, touché. But there are a lot more women's clothes shops than men's.

[NuckingFut]

No way do women have it easier than us. When you walk into a shop, the womens section is right there and men always have to climb the stairs!

[kunoichi]

i think its absolute bs when men complain about the sexism towards them.

Yes there may be an increase but it is almost nothing compared to what women all over the world have been dealing with for centuries.

And i cant believe they complain about sexism to men when you think of the way women in some asian and african countries still have to live.

[JollyGreenAtheist]

Try wearing jeans with a hard on. Cry me a bloody river, ladies.

[Dinnes]

(Original post by NuckingFut)
No way do women have it easier than us. When you walk into a shop, the womens section is right there and men always have to climb the stairs!

Hahahahah that made me laugh

[Annoying-Mouse]

(Original post by Dinnes)
I don't have any actual hard evidence so fair enough, touché. But there are a lot more women's clothes shops than men's.

Women do buy more clothes. I'm still not seeing how that's sexist or anything.

[Dinnes]

(Original post by JollyGreenAtheist)
Try wearing jeans with a hard on. Cry me a bloody river, ladies.

^ Fair enough. Hang on, you get this problem regularly? :P

[Movember]

(Original post by Dinnes)
Was just thinking about the difficulties that men and women face in society today, and came to the conclusion that there are a huge amount of things women have to deal with which men don't. For one you have the whole background sexism issue which, if it still exists, is generally still prejudiced against women rather than men: then you have the whole labour/menstrual cycle issue, both of which I am reliably told are a major pain (not to forget PMS if you get that). And then there's (as an extension of the sexism topic), the fact that women are unfairly sexualised in society.

Some of that may be a little inaccurate so correct me if I'm wrong, but us guys seem to have it comparatively easy. We don't seem to get any of those issues (no menopause either), and I'm really struggling to think of where we have it difficult. Perhaps that there's a bit of a pressure for guys to ask girls out and not the other way round, but that isn't a major problem.

What do you people think? I do really sympathise with the whole concept of being a woman because I'd say it's harder, even in today's society. Partially societal issues, partly biological I think.

If you all have any ideas then please post them If I've made any mistakes I'll correct them, just quote me

Dan

i think women have it easy. they can get sex whenever they want. they can wear makeup to make themselves look better than they are (men cant do this because there is heavy stigma that this is homosexual). they can strip or get sex for money. they can be just about any bodyshape and still be attractive to so many men. even a man who works out and facially is above average rarely gets sex and if hes lucky, gets it with an ugly fat woman. he has to enter a long term relationship to have a chance of regular sex and this is on the assumption that he has good social skills and is around enough women who dont have boyfriends (virtually every woman i come across has a boyfriend and i know that this is what many single guys experience). if a guy is shy, he has no hope with women but a shy woman can wear some makeup and reveal some flesh and will get many guys asking her out. even if she wears normal clothes and doesnt act suggestive, there will be many guys wanting to get into a relationship or have sex with her.

i agree with the points you made but i think women have it very easy! if they dont want periods, they can take the pill and they dont need to have kids! even when they decide to have kids, there are drugs which stop the pain!

[NYU2012]

Welcome to sociology and feminism.

The gender divide is and has been prevalent in its currently form largely since the late 19th century.

Yes, sexism still exists; yes, it still has noticeable effects.

In sociology we call it "male privilege" which refers to how phallocentric modern westernized society is.

[JollyGreenAtheist]

(Original post by Dinnes)
^ Fair enough. Hang on, you get this problem regularly? :P

My GP and urologist are both baffled .