These are interesting times we live in. In as much as even 10 years ago, no one dared bring up the insidious and pervasive sexual misconduct women face in the workforce. For some reason a woman’s value in the work force is diminished, like somehow our femininity is a weakness and makes woman emotional train wrecks. There is also the archaic and centuries old notion that women are meant only for the sexual pleasures of men. Mere objects to behold and dust off when the feeling comes upon them. Due to this ingrained belief, some men struggle to think of women as their equals particularly in the work place. They put on a good face when put to the test, but the underlying belief always has a way of rearing its ugly head.
Even women struggle to believe we are a man’s equal, often trying to smooth things over when they are awkward or wrong. We are expected to be kind and submissive, smile and pretend all is well. I myself have done this over the years, pandering to some man’s ego meanwhile despising every second of it just ensure I do not draw attention to myself. Women need to start demanding more and call it out when it is wrong.
This weekend I was reading an article in the Calgary Herald regarding how the #metoo movement is causing men in the work force to think twice about spending time alone mentoring women co-workers or going out for office dinners or drinks with women to discuss work. To me this is just a cop out. Apparently some men are concerned they could be wrongfully accused of something they didn’t do thus destroying their careers. This is to suggest all women are inherently out to destroy them with our needy nature and can’t be trusted to conduct ourselves with a decorum of self respect. In saying this, the author of the article is stating in not so many words that they can now use this as an excuse not to hire women or promote women because our emotions will get the better of us.
To all the men out there thinking this way, man up, grab some balls and behave yourselves around women as you would around any other male cohort. Stop the misogynist thinking that women can’t be trusted to keep their emotions in check and start to embrace the fact women have so much to offer beyond our looks and sexuality. This is just a lame excuse to continue to exercise the male dominated workforce and keep women under their thumbs as mere sexual objects to admire and use at their discretion.
Thank goodness most men see the value of women in the workforce and are able to conduct themselves with acceptance and professionalism. The only ones to worry about are those who secretly keep those misogynistic beliefs close to their hearts. You know who you are, we see right through you.
#metoo
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