Sexism against men

[retyopy]

Okay, so I understand that this thread has been done about as many times as the "favorite game" poll, but I feel like its never been done WELL. So I'm going to take a shot at it, and see if I can do it justice.

ok, so I was watching spongebob because my Dad hates that show and I wanted to spite him. Anyway, a commercial came up for some shoes, were a bunch of boys were in a soccer match with a bunch of generic girls, and the mascot says sarcastically, "ready to give up, girls?" Then, one of the generic girls, which is meant to represent girls in general, remember,cheats by turning off the lights, at which point the boys shoes light up bla bla bla. But the general potrayal of girls is as weak, cheating, epic fail prone losers, whereas the boys are strong, athletic, great, fabulous, athletes. Pretty bad, right?

But I'm lying. The genders are switched around. So it has to be equally bad.

All I'm saying is that there has to be a double standard. Otherwise, men will be being called perverts if they so much as glance at a woman. Plus, you do realise that men are raped too? Why isn't THAT big news?

Another example is a movie that came out a few months ago, and did reasonably well. It was about two men trying to help a hot girl, but they end up having to be helped by her. What if the positions were reversed? Two girls try to help a muscular, handsome man, but end up being ditzy and having to be helped by the manly man.

You have to consider stuff like this, because if you only pay attention to one side of an argument, the world would die.

EDIT: So apparently, people seem to think that I'm anti-feminist. This is wrong. I am simply pointing out that you have to pay attention to both ends of the spectrum. There is a lot of work to do on both sides, and I'm just trying to help.

 

[TimeLord]

Women fought for equality for 50+ years. And yet a women still gets priority over a child in a devorce. Domestic abuse by women on men is nowhere near as publicised as domestic abuse of women by men. Also, as you say, when was the last time a newspaper published a story of a woman raping a man? Never.

I'm not saying men are a repressed minority or any of that nonsense, but..... yeah, the equality thing may have gone a little far in one direction instead of stopping where it should of.

Disclaimer: Yes, of course, without stats, I can't back any of that up. I'm not being sexist or anything, I'm just writing the truth of my opinion. But the very fact I feel I should put a disclaimer on this post speaks volumes really.

 

[thefrizzlefry]

Congratulations, you're a feminist; the standard that feminists have been rallying against is the "Men are dominant and women are submissive" thing - you know, the society of the patriarchy. This hurts not only women, but men, too. This idea that men have to be valiant and strong is why women get custody of the child more often than men do in a divorce, its why men who have been abused by their girlfriends/wives are either ridiculed or ignored, and it's why rape is generally thought of as a "man thing". The partiarchal ideas that feminists fight present problems for both genders, which is why feminism is so important.

 

[zombie goat fetish]

Television Commercial's are the bane of society and should be banned and all evidence of them wiped off the face of the planet. Television in no way represents anything I feel about everyday existence it's a fantasy realm of idiots and dolts.

 

[ZeroMachine]

You ever try and balance a pencil on your finger?

Go get a pencil, but put it on your finger really lopsided (but don't let it fall).

Then try to adjust it to balance it out.

What happens? The pencil ends up leaning the other way, doesn't it? It's now unbalanced, but in the opposite direction.

And when you try and put it back, the same will happen.

After some deliberation, you'll finally have it balanced on your finger... but it'll always wobble to and fro.

Think of sexism like that. Women started on the harsh end of things. Right now, though we don't have it nearly as bad as they did, men have it kinda bad. Some people might call it "reverse sexism" even though that makes no fucking sense and they should be slapped. Soon enough, though, it'll balance out, but that inequality will always be there, even if it isn't obvious or huge. The scales will always wobble. We just need to learn to deal with it when it comes.

 

[redeemer09]

i do beleive such a case was brought up back in the 70s .when the goverment decide to give blacks a unfair advantage agianst white people by saving certain seats for them.it was done with good intention but it made univeristy denie entrance to people who really deserved it.the same goes with feminism but you know "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions"

 

[retyopy]

Congratulations, you're a feminist; the standard that feminists have been rallying against is the "Men are dominant and women are submissive" thing - you know, the society of the patriarchy. This hurts not only women, but men, too. This idea that men have to be valiant and strong is why women get custody of the child more often than men do in a divorce, its why men who have been abused by their girlfriends/wives are either ridiculed or ignored, and it's why rape is generally thought of as a "man thing". The partiarchal ideas that feminists fight present problems for both genders, which is why feminism is so important.

I disagree with the idea of "feminism." The topic is dead. What we need now are "humanists." People who want total equality, regardless of race, gender, religion, etc.

 

[Doctor Glocktor]

I just want them to get rid of the 'Girl proves girls can do anything by proving a cocky wrong' cliche.

 

[LiberalSquirrel]

Another example is a movie that came out a few months ago, and did reasonably well. It was about two men trying to help a hot girl, but they end up having to be helped by her. What if the positions were reversed? Two girls try to help a muscular, handsome man, but end up being ditzy and having to be helped by the manly man.

What movie, if I may ask?

More on topic, though, there's some minor sexism against men, sure. But from personal experience, I still find that sexism against women is rampant. Take examples that others have mentioned: the fact that sexual/emotional abuse against women by men is far more publicized that the reverse. Is that because society is sexist against men, or is it because of some antiquated notion that women are the "weak little creatures" that have to be protected from abuse, while a man can handle himself? (Okay, this may be playing the devil's advocate a bit.) On a personal level, though, I spent several years of college hearing from male classmates that I was no good at science, math, or engineering (despite being quite intelligent in those areas, and doing impromptu tutoring for some slightly less sexist peers) simply due to the fact that I happened to have lady parts.

There's sexism against men, sure. But that doesn't mean that there isn't a fairly significant undercurrent of anti-female sexism, as well. ("Everyone's a little bit sexist?" ... /vague Avenue Q reference)

And personally, I can't say I've ever called a man a pervert for ogling me. I even have a male friend that has blatantly admitted, multiple times, to my face, that he has a tendency to get distracted by my chest. I laugh and say that I don't mind, as long as he doesn't mind me ogling muscular guys with their shirts off.

As for your Spongebob example (and perhaps the movie, depending) I really don't think comedy can be classified as serious sexism. Comedies are always going to use subverted expectations and offensive jokes to get laughs.

 

[retyopy]

Another example is a movie that came out a few months ago, and did reasonably well. It was about two men trying to help a hot girl, but they end up having to be helped by her. What if the positions were reversed? Two girls try to help a muscular, handsome man, but end up being ditzy and having to be helped by the manly man.

What movie, if I may ask?

More on topic, though, there's some minor sexism against men, sure. But from personal experience, I still find that sexism against women is rampant. Take examples that others have mentioned: the fact that sexual/emotional abuse against women by men is far more publicized that the reverse. Is that because society is sexist against men, or is it because of some antiquated notion that women are the "weak little creatures" that have to be protected from abuse, while a man can handle himself? (Okay, this may be playing the devil's advocate a bit.) On a personal level, though, I spent several years of college hearing from male classmates that I was no good at science, math, or engineering (despite being quite intelligent in those areas, and doing impromptu tutoring for some slightly less sexist peers) simply due to the fact that I happened to have lady parts.

There's sexism against men, sure. But that doesn't mean that there isn't a fairly significant undercurrent of anti-female sexism, as well. ("Everyone's a little bit sexist?" ... /vague Avenue Q reference)

And personally, I can't say I've ever called a man a pervert for ogling me. I even have a male friend that has blatantly admitted, multiple times, to my face, that he has a tendency to get distracted by my chest. I laugh and say that I don't mind, as long as he doesn't mind me ogling muscular guys with their shirts off.

As for your Spongebob example (and perhaps the movie, depending) I really don't think comedy can be classified as serious sexism. Comedies are always going to use subverted expectations and offensive jokes to get laughs.

I think it was called Her Highness, I might be wrong there.

The thing is, as I say to my twin when she acts all suprised when I'm offended by her jokes about me being an introverted, mean, unkind, evil, ugly ass, comedy can only go so far before it starts being genuinely insulting. And I wasn't saying that it was ONLY against men(perhaps I should have clarified,) I'm saying that a lot of sexism against men slips by unnoticed. But we all have to work on both ends of the spectrum.

 

[Esotera]

I disagree with the idea of "feminism." The topic is dead. What we need now are "humanists." People who want total equality, regardless of race, gender, religion, etc.

Very idealistic, and probably never going to happen. For example, babies are inherently racist due to our current social conditions: http://majorityrights.com/index.php/weblog/comments/racist_babies/

Total equality regarding religion is never going to happen either; its aims are fundamentally against equality as most mainstream religions state that theirs is the one true faith. Some atheists feel superior in their beliefs as well. How is humanism feasible with an obstacle like this?

Not saying it's a bad ideology, just an impractical one.

 

[Willwillwritehiswill]

Pretty much every advert aimed at women these days consists of
"MEN. AREN'T THEY ADORABLY INCOMPETENT. NO, THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO CLEAN AN OVEN, OR DO THE WASHING. AND THEY CAN BE DARN ANNOYING FOR NO REASON DURING THAT TIME OF THE MONTH.

BUT YOU, LADY, ARE LIVING THE DREAM. KICK THAT SORRY SACK OF SHIT TO ONE SIDE AND DO IT FOR HIM BECAUSE YOU'RE A REAL WOMAN WHO DOESN'T LIVE UP TO STEREOTYPES BY PERFORMING STEREOTYPICAL ROLES IN AN IRONIC FASHION. YOU'RE ACE AND YOUR MEN WOULD WILT AND DIE LIKE THE HOUSEPLANTS THEY'D INEVITABLY NEGLECT IF YOU WEREN'T THERE TO EMPOWER YOURSELF BY CAPERING TO THEIR EVERY WHIM."

Wait, what was the question?

 

[OmniscientOstrich]

Yeaah...no, your arguments seemed to be isolated incidents as well as being particularly vague and thoroughly unconvincing. I really have no idea what's triggering this, but I swear I see more and more males, most prevelantly on the Internet bitching about this 'it's only sexist/racsit when a white man does it' and such other tripe. You really don't know how lucky you have it, so stop being so paranoid, notice that societal, media and corporate views towards minorities are still being held in lower regard, accept while there are a few double standards that favour women, far FAR more of them favour men and most of all....

 

[the_honey_badger]

I think the male equivalent of feminism is masculism? Take a look at any wesbite dedicated to masculism, or even wiki the term, I'm sure you'll find many more examples of sexism against men.

 

[LiberalSquirrel]

I think it was called Her Highness, I might be wrong there.

The thing is, as I say to my twin when she acts all suprised when I'm offended by her jokes about me being an introverted, mean, unkind, evil, ugly ass, comedy can only go so far before it starts being genuinely insulting. And I wasn't saying that it was ONLY against men(perhaps I should have clarified,) I'm saying that a lot of sexism against men slips by unnoticed. But we all have to work on both ends of the spectrum.

Eh, never saw it... or heard of it. Doesn't sound like my sort of movie, but I'll take your word on it.

And I agree- there's a difference between comedy that's genuinely funny and comedy that's not funny and is, in fact, encouraging sexism. But that doesn't mean that every male vs. female joke is inherently sexist. There are differences between the genders, and they can be exploited for comedy. Half the time, jokes about "oh, this girl is so much better at this than this guy" falls under the "this is a character strength" umbrella rather than the "gender strength" one, anyways. Now, personally, I hope that sexism (on both ends) becomes extinct. I'm doing my best! But there's certain tenents of society that encourage it. The stereotype that men are supposed to constantly be unemotional and logical, for one (which also leads to a good deal of the lack of news on male abuse and rape, as well, since "tough guys" shouldn't be able to be abused). And the whole "guys pay for girls on dates" thing. Ugh.

 

[RagnarokHybrid]

I believe the sexism is about equal nowadays but, as people have pointed out, women HAVE had it worse for, like, ever.

Having just finished high school, I can safely say that a lot of sexism against men manifests as favoritism. Not only were all of my classes filled with (generally speaking) 20 girls and three guys--myself included--all many of my teachers were female. As a result, many of my classes (usually the classes that were pretty pointless to begin with) would break into almost stereotypical feminist discussions. Not to mention the girls at my school could get away with a lot more: hitting on (I mean abusing, not the other thing) a guy, who was morally or ethically constrained from defending himself, then turning around and using the cliche cop-out, "I can't do that because I'm a girl," to avoid exerting themselves or something.

As for the rape thing, I think that's largely guy's fault, actually. I think a lot of "manly" guys are afraid to admit that a woman abused them--sexually or otherwise.

In the end, I think guys just have to tolerate it. I mean, despite everything at my school, guys and girls got along pretty well and, though we complained, it was never such a big deal. I think, if guys do start complaining, we'd just end up looking ungrateful or selfish--like a rich celebrity whining over how they have to walk three feet to their bathroom.

 

[retyopy]

Yeaah...no, your arguments seemed to be isolated incidents as well as being particularly vague and thoroughly unconvincing. I really have no idea what's triggering this, but I swear I see more and more males, most prevelantly on the Internet bitching about this 'it's only sexist/racsit when a white man does it' and such other tripe. You really don't know how lucky you have it, so stop being so paranoid, notice that societal, media and corporate views towards minorities are still being held in lower regard, accept while there are a few double standards that favour women, far FAR more of them favour men and most of all....

Right, so when an article comes up about a woman who was raped, I suppose I'll just post that picture. What? I'm a horrible person for saying that? Deal with it.

 

[Littaly]

From what you write it sounds like the commercial was playing more on the "girls vs. boys" mentality of that age, not so much on gender portrayal. It was marketed to little girls, and the greatest nemesis of little girls are little boys, so that's why they're the villain of the commercial. Or something, you get what I'm saying.

As for sexism against men, it's like "reversed racism" (which is a stupid, retarded word that needs to die in a fire), it's true that it exists, but it's a much smaller problem in scope. I hear about men being raped. Granted, not nearly as often as I hear about women getting raped, but I assume the amount of cases reported on are more or less proportional to the amount of crimes committed, I don't think it's a conspiracy to villainise men.

 

[retyopy]

Now, personally, I hope that sexism (on both ends) becomes extinct. I'm doing my best!.[/i][/quote]

We're all trying.

EDIT: Crap, that didn't come out right. It's Liberal Squirrels quote.

 

[Westaway]

How can a women rape a man, they wouldn't be har, and if they were it wouldn't be rape.