By Jessica Valenti
I've had this book on my list of books to read since at least last year and I finally got around to reading it (mostly while sitting on a hard, wooden bench while Chad and Jordan rode rides at Great America). I wouldn't necessarily consider myself an outspoken feminist, but I am proud to be a woman and there are some things that really bother me. This book is full of double standards evident in society today when it comes to men and women. The title refers to the fact that if a guy sleeps with lots of women he's considered a stud, while a woman can sleep with lots of men - or not even - just have the reputation as dating lots of men and she is labeled a slut. It was interesting to read about how many double standards there are that I kind of overlook.
One that I have realized now that I am raising Jordan has to do with the gender-biased toys. Jordan hangs out with lots of girls at daycare all day so he knows all of the Disney princesses and has seen pretty much all of their movies. When given a chance he would much rather play with trains and trucks but he does like all kinds of toys. He likes imagining and making food and I considered getting him a microwave for Christmas (because we have no room for an entire kitchen setup) but a certain French store I visited only had pink microwaves. Hmm...what kind of message is that sending our girls? Hate.
The other thing that really drives me crazy is that boys are supposed to be all tough, and then if they're not, there are those like-nails-on-a-chalkboard comments that refer to boys as being weak like girls: "Don't be such a girl," "You're such a sissy," (or insert another such words I soooo hate). And here's one that drives me insane: "Don't be such a Sally...or Mary." It's so not cool to be a girl. What about girls who want to play sports or play in the dirt or like dinosaurs - oh, they're tomboys and that's really not all that big of a deal. Extra-hate.
I'm proud to be a strong, opinionated woman. I'm a mom and I love it. I'm a wife and I love it. I have a college degree and post-graduate degree and a career and I love it. I'm a woman and I love it!
What do you think about the state of women in our country? Have you experienced any of these or other double standards? Please, share!
