I thought that was a pretty weak-ass phrase that wimpy feminists used to get self-absorbed men onto our side -- appeal to how feminism can benefit them if they can't agree that women deserve to have basic equalities -- but upon thought it makes sense. Specifically, the concept that a "real man" doesn't take no for an answer hurts women because it violates their autonomy, and it hurts men because it brands them as weak for doing the right thing and respecting women's boundaries.
I had a conversation with my dad yesterday about that Belinda Stronach/Peter MacKay affair that's been tossed around the news. I said that if one was going to place unequal blame for dishonest behaviour in that situation, one would have to place it on MacKay because he was the married one and he betrayed his family by consenting to an extramarital affair. My father contended that Stronach was most at fault because women should know better, since any man would jump at the opportunity for a piece of ass. More patriarchal crap -- placing the responsibility for sexual morality on a woman -- that hurts men by assuming that they are all animals governed by their penises.
Funny, though, that unscrupulous males can use that perception to their advantage to justify betraying the trust of women who have consented to be alone around them. I have several male friends with whom I regularly spend time alone. I am fully aware of the fact that if I trust the wrong person and one of them assaults me, the average outsider will blame me for putting myself into a situation where I can "get myself raped" -- because, after all, why else would I be alone with a guy if not to have sex with him? And it'll be just my word against his...
months late, but am doing vanity LJseeking
I thought that was a pretty weak-ass phrase that wimpy feminists used to get self-absorbed men onto our side -- appeal to how feminism can benefit them if they can't agree that women deserve to have basic equalities -- but upon thought it makes sense. Specifically, the concept that a "real man" doesn't take no for an answer hurts women because it violates their autonomy, and it hurts men because it brands them as weak for doing the right thing and respecting women's boundaries.
I had a conversation with my dad yesterday about that Belinda Stronach/Peter MacKay affair that's been tossed around the news. I said that if one was going to place unequal blame for dishonest behaviour in that situation, one would have to place it on MacKay because he was the married one and he betrayed his family by consenting to an extramarital affair. My father contended that Stronach was most at fault because women should know better, since any man would jump at the opportunity for a piece of ass. More patriarchal crap -- placing the responsibility for sexual morality on a woman -- that hurts men by assuming that they are all animals governed by their penises.
Funny, though, that unscrupulous males can use that perception to their advantage to justify betraying the trust of women who have consented to be alone around them. I have several male friends with whom I regularly spend time alone. I am fully aware of the fact that if I trust the wrong person and one of them assaults me, the average outsider will blame me for putting myself into a situation where I can "get myself raped" -- because, after all, why else would I be alone with a guy if not to have sex with him? And it'll be just my word against his...