The year is 2016. Men and women are all equals now... well, not quite yet. Sexism is still very real. Society is still telling us how to dress, act, talk, think and be. However, it’s not always presented how you would think. It’s subtle, backhanded, and can often go unnoticed and brushed off. But these need to change and become obsolete if we are to have real equality between the sexes.
1. Any phrase ending in, “for a girl.”
It doesn’t matter what anyone says. By adding “for a girl” to the end of a statement, you imply that although she may have done an outstanding job, some man could come in and still do it better. You imply that women are still weaker and inferior to men.
2. “It’s a good thing you’re pretty.”
I can’t tell you how many times coworkers, friends, significant others and even family have said this to me. While on the surface this seems like a compliment, in reality, it’s just another backhanded way of saying "as a woman, you don’t need to be smart because you’re pretty, and that is all you are."
3. “Have you found a good boy to settle down with?”
No, Grandma, I haven’t. Maybe I don’t want to. I don’t need to find someone and settle down. I don’t need a big, strong man to take care of me and bring home the bacon so I can fry it in a pan. I am perfectly capable, as a woman, of bringing home my own bacon.
4. “Any kids yet?”
Why do so many people still think that for a woman to have a fulfilling life, she needs to be settled down by 20 and pop out a few babies? Don’t get me wrong, motherhood is a beautiful and wonderful thing, but my idea of a happy life might be coming home to my cat, drinking a glass of wine and binge watching Netflix. We need to stop putting women in the “Holly Housewife” box.
5. “That’s not very ladylike.”
I guess it’s a good thing I wasn’t trying to be a lady, then. The idea of being "lady-like" is reserved for the ladies’ room and a debutante ball. My burp is just a natural bodily function that everyone has, you just happened to be around to see hear it. The only reason you should be offended if I don’t sit with my legs together is if you can actually see my lady parts. My vocabulary of choice words should be looked at no differently than a man’s. If you have a problem with any of these things, it’s not a matter of lady-like or not; it’s a matter of polite and rude. It should be addressed as such.
6. “Why do you wear so much makeup?”
Well, it’s probably because I want to. Any comment on a woman’s makeup is completely unnecessary, uncalled for and rude. Women are trapped in a war they can’t win when it comes to makeup. If you wear it, the comments are “Why do you wear so much makeup?” or “You’d look better with less makeup.” If you don’t wear it it’s, “You should wear makeup,” or “You’d look better with makeup on.”
7. Cat calling.
This IS NOT a compliment. I am not a dog to be whistled at. If you think I look good use your words and tell me. Or, try something crazy and just keep it to yourself. Why do you think I need to be told you think my face/body/whatever is aesthetically pleasing? Women are more than their physical attributes.
8. Don’t be a "pussy".
This goes right back to equating women as being weak. Since were on the topic, last time I checked, the woman's vagina is one of the strongest muscles out there!
9. Wage gap, anyone?
This ugly little truth presents itself everywhere. According to the AAUW, full time female workers are paid just 79 cents to the male's dollar. This number gets even worse in some states, for women of color, and when it comes to higher paying jobs, like CEOs.
10. Sex STILL sells.
Other than this being an interesting tongue twister, companies are still using sex to sell their products. Featuring women in less than full dress, or suggestive poses to catch the attention of the audience may be effective in boosting sales, but it's also effective in objectifying women.
11. Rape culture.
This ugly beast shows up everywhere. From the appalling statistics about sexual assault and rape on college campuses to victim blaming, rape culture continues to disadvantage women in our society.
