What are your thoughts on male privilege?
This sort of came up in Isha's post, but I didn't want to hijack it.
Question is: what are your thoughts on "male privilege?"
- What is it? Can you define it?
- Does it exist everywhere? Is it a work thing, social thing, or something else entirely?
- Is there a female privilege (say, in the nursing field)?
- How have you experienced it while crossdressing?
- Is it a problem that is solveable? Is it entirely on men to solve, or is it more a sexual difference problem that requires work on both sides? Or, do we even need to solve it?
My thoughts: I think it's less of a male thing and more of an aggressive thing.
I've seen females in many meetings and discussions get ignored because of one or two loud mouths at a table (who are normally men). To me, that's a leadership problem, because whomever runs the meeting needs to ensure that the group gets the best ideas, no matter where they come from. I've personally told people to pipe down and specifically called on quieter people (female and male) to get their ideas, and in the end we get a better product.
On the flip side, I had a very aggressive female on a job that just ran rough shod over everyone's opinions. She was bad for morale and didn't listen to anyone, male or female. It took some time but I got her bad habits under control and helped teach her how to be inclusive while also still harnessing her drive to get things done.
As a crossdresser, I've gotten a small taste of the flip side, but because I haven't gone to work in female mode, my experiences are limited to being oggled and bumped up on at bars and occasionally talked over in conversation. For me though, part of the allure of crossdressing is being completely different, so I enjoy being a lot more passive and having the attention without having to take the lead on things. Plus it means I did a good job on makeup/cleavage :)
But I'd like to hear your thoughts.
Struggling to identify 'male privilege'
I have to confess that I really don't get this 'male privilege' concept. The idea seems to be that men supposedly have it easy while the world is "against" women. I'm simply not convinced.
This could be a 'context' thing. I have absolutely no experience of working in any environment where equal pay was anything other than the norm. While my immediate environment at work is almost totally male, within the organisation women occupy very senior positions. While we have yet to have a female CEO or COO, over the past ten years we have had female vice-chairs of the 'board' and, for several months, a female acting-chair. Within my family, both my grandmothers were very competent practitioners of their respective trades. Likewise my mother and the majority of my aunts in their chosen trades and professions. So whether at work or outside of work I've no real experience of women being treated as second class citizens except by a small number of arrogant ***** who, truth be told, treated everyone whom the perceived as not being their equal like dirt regardless of their gender.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JenniferYager
I've seen females in many meetings and discussions get ignored because of one or two loud mouths at a table (who are normally men). To me, that's a leadership problem, because whomever runs the meeting needs to ensure that the group gets the best ideas, no matter where they come from.
Yep, I've seen both males and females fall victim to that one! And I agree with your analysis. Interestingly, when chairing meetings, I find it easier to deal with badly behaved males than badly behaved females! I have absolutely no problem telling a man to be quiet, "you've had your say, let someone else speak". With a woman I'm much less abrupt!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JenniferYager
On the flip side, I had a very aggressive female on a job that just ran rough shod over everyone's opinions. She was bad for morale and didn't listen to anyone, male or female.
Been there too! Only I wasn't as successful as you. She left very abruptly after a toe-to-toe row with a senior manager (which I witnessed)! But, three years later, we're still trying to help her traumatised (all female) team to recover from her years of abusive behaviour.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Leslie Langford
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Women constantly complain about this alleged "male" privilege, which seems to be exacerbated in their eyes if one happens to be Caucasian. As with beauty, this concept is often in the eyes of the beholder.
-snip-
What the feminists don't talk about is the female sense of entitlement that they have historically laid claim to and which includes expectations of deferential and chivalrous treatment on the part of their male counterparts ("Happy wife, happy life", "If Momma's happy, everyone is happy" etc.). This is something that they have yet to volunteer giving up in the name of the "equality" that they are so adamant in pursuing...
Leslie, you've been reading my mind again! On the subject of chivalry, I have occasionally encountered the "how dare you hold that door open for me" response but only very occasionally. I have however plenty of experience of (younger) females being prepared to walk through / over you (regardless of whether you're make or female). I sometimes wonder whether one of the biggest 'tells' for a CD is how you react when you meet someone head on in a confined space (eg. corridor, doorway, crowded footpath). I 'automatically' step to one side, especially if the other person is a woman. I cannot remember the last time that I witnessed a woman (other than a female cousin) doing so!
I suspect that ones perception of the nature and /or existence of 'male privilege' depends on your context!