I just came across an article in the Huffington Post written by a male author who literally says “women have won the war against men and men are more like women”. I almost fell out of my chair when I read the article.
He said men were doing more housework, childcare and were being more compassionate. I agree these are all important jobs of both mothers and fathers. Especially if they are lucky to still be married, have a good income, and basically agree to agree to share the roles as parents and as a couple. Point being he did not mention pay equality in jobs, jobs that still are not held by women, and that the “good ole Boys Network” is still blocking women from their full potential. I must not get too “bitchy” when I talk about the women who tell me about women who still do not have equality in the sports world when it comes to jobs, pay or opportunities. I also should not get upset in the year 2009 if there still are only a handful of women in Fortune 500 companies. Thank goodness the smart ones have left and have started their own companies and are now making 6 figures.
Are Women Still Minorities?
I asked a graduate class recently if they thought women were still treated like a Minority group in our country. I offered information about the lack of equal pay, sexual abuse and crimes against a woman’s body and her job availability in today’s job market. I told them that children ages 5-12 years old when asked “if they wanted to be “a girl or a boy” most often the response was “I want to be a boy“. When asked “Why?” Both girls and boys said “boys have more fun, have better jobs and make more money.” Many of the boys said they would want to kill themselves if they became girls. Out of the mouths of babes come the truths many of us just fail to see or do not want to admit exists. After my presentation the graduate class agreed that women still have minority status in this country despite their great numbers.
I want to remind you if you have not read our book, Timeless Women Speak, I have three beautiful daughters and will have 7, yes 7 granddaughters so my work of sharing and making sure we do not have our heads in the sand is what is important to me. Be aware of the market place and how it wages war on our daughters and our own bodies to stay thin, young, and perfect. We are hit with the mantra: “Stay young and beautiful if we want to be loved and find MR RIGHT” Sarah Maria is one of our latest smart, amazing women to share her ideas with us. I’ll be talking with her tomorrow and will post the recording on the website for your interest. She has dedicated her life to helping women of all ages to get over their “NEGATIVE BODY OBSESSION” and loving themselves no matter what they look like. In her new book “Love Your Body, Love Your Lives” she says ” women hate their bodies.” I say enough is enough! We must end this attack on our bodies, our self-esteem and our self worth.
Show Us the Proof that Women Have Won the War
So if we have won and men are more like women I would like to see some real proof and no more of this silly stuff. Women need to be aware of what is thrown at them by the media, articles like this one, and being told we are “OK” and it is all ok. I just heard another horror of a story that a recent medical journal said women should not have mammograms and it was a waste of time to do monthly breast exams. Bet they do not know anyone with breast cancer. What is going on? It was called by a news reporter a “gender genocide” and you know what, I agree with her. We must wake up and make sure we do not fall prey to this kind of thinking or allow it to enter our daughters minds. Keep awake and be sure you know what is really going on. Do not believe everything you read or hear.
I guess I need to be fair and balanced since my last name is O’Reilly so, if you want to read more about this article, go to the Huffington Post and read Marcus Buckingham’s “Pyrrhic Victoria: Why Men Are Becoming More Like Women“, posted on November 17, 2009. Since I am such a good sport, I wish Mr. Buckingham happy trails.