Validation for All You Working Women Out There
Hopefully, this article left you flabbergasted, offended or at least with a raised eyebrow or two. I know it left me scratching my head and thanking goodness we'd come so far in 60 years. I borrowed the article from my Human Relations class, where the other students and I were required to answer several discussion questions about it. Of course, it generated a lot of interesting comments, so I decided to post my favorites for you to enjoy.
- "WOW!!! I don't think that I was shocked to read the article because I know that there are a lot of men that are threatened by . . . successful women."
- "In my opinion, women are no different then men, and when a women works for me I treat her just like I do the male worker."
- Response to comment above: "You seem, like most, to think that women are no different than men when in actuality they are. To ignore that is unrealistic and useless. Women are equal to men, yes, but we are equal in different ways."
- "I think the first three instructions could be most used in a hostile work environment. They seem structured to "get the most out of women" rather than consider what's best for the women themselves . . . The third [instruction] is just downright insulting; it's demeaning to older working women, most of whom I know to be model employees and great examples for the rest of us."
- "These tips may have been appropriate in the early 1940's, but I think if a man actually believed these [in] this day in age, I would have to slug him. Okay, so maybe I wouldn't hit him, but women have worked really hard for equality; and the few remaining men, and women, who still think men are superior really irk me."
- "The problem with the article is that it is segregating a gender simply because they are that gender. I don't think it's about degrading women, but degrading the human race, because we all have worked so hard for equality and judgments based on our personalities or work ethics, instead of our gender, race, or religion."
- "I was shocked before I even read the "Tips." The title itself was funny. I say it’s funny because it was actually published. For someone to make such generalized statements about women, or anyone for that matter, is comical to me. I wonder if the guy who wrote that even had a mother. (She'd probably give him a kickin' if she read that.)"
- "We are taught that men are to be strong, thick skinned, good workers, [and] should stifle their emotions whenever possible. We are taught that women are frail, emotional, home-makers and child bearers (although I don’t see what’s frail about child bearing). Today I think the lines are much “grayer” than they ever have been. I know plenty of men that are emotional and frail, and I know quite a few women that are as tough as they come. Although our differences are not always bad. As a man I enjoy opening doors for my wife, taking care of the vehicles and house repairs. She, on the other hand, enjoys being treated this way; I know, I asked. It isn’t the differences that drive us apart; it’s the differences that bring us to together. We balance one another. I rely on her strengths were I’m weak and vice versa. If we were all the same, treated the same, expected the same from each other, and so on, what fun would that be?"
This one was my own personal favorite . . .
- "I agree completely! Women are psychologically fickle, emotionally distraught, and physically weak. Good business practices indicate that we should be sure to consistently compliment them on their looks, regardless of situation and timing. Remember, females in the workforce need constant reassurance to keep themselves from completely falling apart throughout the day. If you need an excellent way to say "good job!" to your female co-workers, try a firm, open palmed slap on the rump."
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
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