Sexism has long been an aspect of human culture and society. Gender roles have been defined for millennia, and only recently in the grand scale of things have these stereotypes been challenged, and for all intents and purposes, destroyed. In the majority of first world countries at least, it is no longer a genuine divide.
Or is it?
In recent years, it appears that sexism still exists - But it is fundamentally different. It is less about stereotypical gender roles and things such as career capabilities, and more importantly, omits this aspect:
That's right - I believe sexism has reversed, and is now against men.
Let me cover my arse before I go on - I wholly believe that us males do not have it as bad as women did in the previous eras. This is a fundamentally different kind of sexism, but sexism nonetheless.
As some quick examples, take that recent story (http://extrawiggleroom.tumblr.com/) about the plus-size model launching that parody campaign in the (degrading) American Apparel competition. For one, it's good that "plus-size" models are being more welcomed, because frankly I think most models look like sickly caricatures of people rather than actual people. Yes, American Apparel's competition is a disgustingly insulting charade, but that's not the issue here.
The thing is, plus-size models in the past couple of years have been sweeping through various major campaigns, such as Boots in the UK. Now, have you ever seen a male version of that? Ever seen some not-so-slim chubby guy modelling the latest fashion, or showing off in one of those mind-boggling perfume/aftershave ads?
Not a chance. All men portrayed in any kind of upmarket ad are chisel-jawed, trendy, slightly moody or casually playful supermen.
On the subject of ads, let's take a look at lower-market ones, specifically television advertisements.
When portraying family scenes in "funny" adverts (usually to do with insurance, or something along those lines), men appear to be nothing more than bumbling idiots, with the woman in the ad sitting to the side shaking her head and rolling her eyes, effectively acting like the male is some kind of pet doing something silly and amusing. However, I guarantee that if you portrayed women as some kind of complete household idiot outside of her and her girlfriends in lifestyle/health ads, the full fury of the feminists would erupt and there would be a media outcry.
So, the media discriminates in adverts, it seems. What's new? Well, the fact that real-world punishments seem to vary based on gender.
A while ago, a sports commentator was at the centre of a huge controversy after he made a comment about a female referee while his microphone was still on. As far as I recall, it wasn't anything particularly lewd, but that is irrelevant. He made the comment, and after a massive media frenzy over it, he lost his job. Overreaction, sure, but he should have either had the mic off, or not made the comment. His fault entirely.
What struck me is that a few weeks after that incident, there was a story about a female newscaster commenting on air about her colleague's penis size. She wasn't fired, and from what I remember, she didn't even get into much trouble about it.
Maybe it's just the fact that I'm tired and in the mood for a rant, but this seems to be a continuing issue. Do any of you Escapists feel the same, or think otherwise? I know I've only hit on a few points here, but it's food for thought. I may post more when I've had some sleep.
Debate away.
