From: rivero@mdcbbs.com
Newsgroups: soc.feminism
Subject: Re: Gender and Gender Roles (was Re: Perpetuating Stereotypes)
Date: 15 Apr 1992 21:45:08 GMT
Organization: M&E (Division of EDS), Cypress CA
NNTP-Posting-Host: remarque.berkeley.edu
Originator: muffy@remarque.berkeley.edu

> In article <9204032110.AA08709@freedom.msfc.nasa.gov>,
> celeste%express@freedom.msfc.nasa.GOV writes:
>What "man" can know the difficulties in makup or the frustration of
>putting on pantyhose unless he has done it? (Putting your hand
>throught $4 hose that you just bought!) What "man" can understand the
>problems of walking in heels (soft ground, gratings, uneven footing,
>pain) unless he has done it. What "man" can understand the knife of
>fear when confronted with screaming red necks saying "We are going to
>FUCK YOU!"  and know he can't get run away or fight because because of
>limitations of heels, hose and dress. (Remember a rapist has the
>mental advantage that he KNOWS he can subdue you! That is major
>advantage in any battle!)

  So, take the advantage away! Don't wear high heels (they are bad for your
ankles anyway). So what if you are shorter than someone else; you'll always
be shorter than SOMEONE, heels or no! As you say, grates and soft ground
are a problem. Best way to deal with it is a good running shoe.

  Don't wear dresses that limit your ability to move. Wear slacks, or jeans,
something that is comfortable and that works for YOU!

  You hate hassles with makeup? Toss it. You are just fine the way nature
evolved you.

  Hose a frustration as well as an expense? Why bother with them?

  The only part of society that insists women wear such impractical frippery
are those who make money off of you for them. "Beauty" and "Status"
will always be defined in terms of what someone is trying to sell you.

  High heels are no less silly and no more practical than other "fashion"
items, such as a bone through the nose or metal rings that stretch out the
neck.

  Makeup is this society equivilent of the veil, behind which women must
hde their real face. Course, it's a use once and wash off version, which
means you have to spend more money than you would on just the veil.

  Men "admire" the above items because they are sensitive enough to realize
that a woman who has put that time and effort into her appearance wants
it to be noticed. But that should not be confused with the idea
that a man would not appreiciate you just as much (but in a different fashion)
if you were in jeans, comfy shoes, and your own face.

  As for the Rednecks trying to rape you. Well, if you really need to
hang out in such places, then kick the closest one in the balls (you're
wearing jeans, remember), and you might easily dissuade the others.
Remember that shooting them is only a momentary pleasure and will get you
talked about.

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|  Michael Rivero rivero@mdcbbs.com Homo Cyberneticus-Computational Man  |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|   I don't have anything against you...........but I wish I did!  :)    |
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