So where is all this ranting going? It gets to the root of a problem I see in a lot of very progressive feminist oriented literature which is trying very hard to fight the fight without ever taking an ounce of satisfaction in what has been accomplished. Yes, I'm on my male privilege pillar here so those of you who want to dismiss me go right ahead, but I'm tired of it. Article after article spend the time doing segmented female studies showing how little women have progressed against the fictional male, who frankly often comes across as an enemy in the way these things are written. Like a bad boogy man. It's a horrible tactic if you're trying to reach equality to make every guy think that they're the devil incarnate. I have the same problem with male-bashing jokes which are seen as ok, but female bashing jokes are sexist. Double standards aren't welcome. To that end I get very tired of being stuffed into a box by these authors with an agenda (and we've all got them) to promote women. Yet even as they talk about all the problems with this segment or that, I can point to any number of problems among the male demographic that they're ignoring to make their point. The lower graduation rates among males to start with.
Another is framing the argument as a solely female problem. The problem of paid vacation, sick leave, parental leave, those aren't just women's issues, they're both gender's issue. They should be fought as such. Pregnancy discrimination is one I have deeply divided issues with, one because I've seen pregnancy used as an excuse not to do work (anecdotal), on the other hand it's a natural biological issue and should be treated as such. I've got a very hard time calling it a disability though. But even so, the ability to take time off for family, be that a child birth or the care of a sick family member? That's universal and should be fought for by everyone. Framing it as a female only issue (which I've seen done too often) is only going to make the males combative, and all stereotypes aside, if there's on thing that this society teaches men, it's how to be stubborn in the face of combat.
Another thing I hate is that the wage data, which is what started this whole rant, is NEVER the whole picture even from a purely financial standpoint. Any accountant can tell you that benefits, which study after study are more a lure for women than men, cost a fortune to provide. Remind me sometime to show you Anna's earning statement and then her annual benefit analysis statement. You'll be amazed at how much her income jumps because of the nifty benefits she accrues. Thus a lower wage does not always equate to a lower standard of living and my statement in a previous conversation stands:
You are entitled to the same pay, for the same work, at the same level of experience, as I am. Adjusted for any disparity in benefits given. Right now, in my field? I'm not likely to earn as much as my female counterparts with my age and experience. The promotion potential remains to be seen.
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Date: 2010-09-07 05:21 am (UTC)Another is framing the argument as a solely female problem. The problem of paid vacation, sick leave, parental leave, those aren't just women's issues, they're both gender's issue. They should be fought as such. Pregnancy discrimination is one I have deeply divided issues with, one because I've seen pregnancy used as an excuse not to do work (anecdotal), on the other hand it's a natural biological issue and should be treated as such. I've got a very hard time calling it a disability though. But even so, the ability to take time off for family, be that a child birth or the care of a sick family member? That's universal and should be fought for by everyone. Framing it as a female only issue (which I've seen done too often) is only going to make the males combative, and all stereotypes aside, if there's on thing that this society teaches men, it's how to be stubborn in the face of combat.
Another thing I hate is that the wage data, which is what started this whole rant, is NEVER the whole picture even from a purely financial standpoint. Any accountant can tell you that benefits, which study after study are more a lure for women than men, cost a fortune to provide. Remind me sometime to show you Anna's earning statement and then her annual benefit analysis statement. You'll be amazed at how much her income jumps because of the nifty benefits she accrues. Thus a lower wage does not always equate to a lower standard of living and my statement in a previous conversation stands:
You are entitled to the same pay, for the same work, at the same level of experience, as I am. Adjusted for any disparity in benefits given. Right now, in my field? I'm not likely to earn as much as my female counterparts with my age and experience. The promotion potential remains to be seen.