Ooooh boy! It's time for some fun lighthearted discussions about everyone's most favoritist topic: sexism. Doesn't get any, well, sexier than this folks! Okay, it does, but whatever.
The other day I ended up reading a little discussion between Sheril Kirshenbaum and this guy (everytime I see anyone use the words "common sense" I automatically associate them with Glenn Beck and his ilk-totally unfair, I will grant you that) about whether or not it is sexist to call a female scientist "sexy" (he makes lists). I understand his points about his intentions and the equality of him calling a male scientist "handsome", I mean at first I thought that could just negate the argument altogether. However, men have not, for centuries, been oppressed because of their handsomeness. I mean, if men had been told forever and a day to just sit there and look handsome, to make a home for their woman and to maintain a certain physical standard, I could understand. But they haven't, and women have. If men get fat or bald or old, it's GREAT for them-they just get better with age and all that bull. But for women, I mean, you can see it on the streets! The women who have four children trying desperately to be MILFS. Because it's not enough to be raising kids or to have a career-to really have it all you have to be hot too.
For example, last quarter my biology teacher was a woman and a PhD too, and her appearance was, well, frumpy. I didn't take her any less seriously but I'm sure if she were on t.v. the general public would. Society wants women to be attractive, to look a certain way, and if we don't it's a reflection on how we live our lives. It's the equivelant of a man being a total and utter slob. Only it's not equal because the ratio is like, one man who is a slob to every woman who maybe doesn't use a frizz serum. And it's wildly unfair. Not to mention it takes a lot of time and effort just to maintain and effortless look that won't be off-putting to co-workers. Sigh. That's time we could be spending on the work. So really, we can lose time sleeping, maintaining, or working...but somewhere, we will lose time that men don't have to lose.
And really, even in the library system, if you're under 35 and reasonably fashionable, you get branded with the "sexy librarian" title. It's automatically assumed that you have some sort of sexy side or am more fun or laid back than the women you work with. I do like fashion and I do like celebrity gossip, but I'm not a sexy librarian (you need a Masters!). Women could dress differently if they wanted. But that gets into the whole argument of being sincere and having to change who YOU are to make other people more comfortable. Anyways, this is turning into a bit of a ramble. I'm willing to discuss all this, this is just where I am at now in my opinions. Just in case I seem like I'm being high and mighty.
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