Think before you Post???

[ReineD]

Again, I don't dispute that sterotyping exists. I just don't see it as frequently here as others might and believe there are other explanations.

I see it a lot and I'll mention the instances in a moment. But first I need to say that I don't see it as willful disrespect and personally I'm NOT bothered by it (unless it is blatant or arrogant). Not here, not in a CDer forum. I understand that the road from male socialization to being able to believably express the opposite gender is difficult. I tried to walk like a guy once and my attempt was downright laughable, and I was NOT trying to be funny. Picture an exaggerated John Wayne who is stiff because he just got off the horse he's been riding for 3 days straight. lol It takes a while for a genetic male to let go of the stereotyped feminine behaviors (I believe), and just be natural. Also for many of our members, forums such as this one are their main places to be feminine, so there is a degree of playing a role while they're here, if you will.

Anyway, here are some of the more subtle and not so subtle expressions of sexism, or stereotyping, if you prefer. And again, I understand where they come from, and I believe that as members grow in their expression and practice, they do disappear:

• Babs mentioned this already: "Why don't GGs dress femininely anymore."
• "I love doing housework when I am dressed in my sexy maid's outfit. I feel so girly."
• "This is my sexy secretary's outfit."
• "Here I am in my ultra sexy outfit" (an outfit that few GGs wear, unless they're college aged girls at a nightclub).
• All the pics of cleavage and big boobs.
• "What is your ideal women's job?" Answers I've read: "Hooter's girl, secretary, playboy bunny, flight attendant, call girl, model."
• "Women are jealous of beautiful women." Or, "Women don't like us because they're jealous."
• "I'm more feminine than the average woman."
• "I want to be a wife and take good care of my man" (implying a subservient role). Or, "I want to be a wife and be taken care of".

Obviously not everyone expresses these thoughts, but I think we all recognize them as having been expressed on this site numerous times.

Marleena, as to using "hi girls" in the M2F, Babs was saying that we edit that out if it is used in sections that are not specifically designated M2F, for example the Lounge, Media or Loved Ones sections. Still, we no doubt have many M2F CDers who don't think of themselves as girls, but I think they understand it when they read this in the M2F section. I've not heard any complaints. :p