What men say about women when they don't know you've lived as a woman

[Cin]

Originally Posted by CherylNYC

class certainly plays a part in this discussion, but the intersection of class and sexism hasn't been fashionable to discuss for a good, long while. It's worth mentioning that those of my friends who are the most shocked, for instance college professors, are in the best position to influence thought on this subject, but are some of the most underexposed people I know.

Originally Posted by EnderD_503

in what environment and in front of what status of women men feel they can say and do anything without consequence

The environment and the status of the women involved probably does play a part in the amount of freedom men feel they have to say and do stuff without consequence. I imagine class may have some impact on how sexism and misogyny are expressed as well as to whom it is directed. But it hasn’t any impact on the existence of sexism and misogyny in general. It’s reminiscent of the differences between racism in the north and the south. I’ve heard people comment that they prefer the in your face racism of the south to the some of my best friends are black racism of the north. To me there is nothing redeeming in any ‘ism’, regardless of how it is expressed or the class of the person expressing it. As a matter of fact the more subtle, the more unconscious, the more acceptable the misogyny the more dangerous.

Misogyny and sexism are integral and accepted parts of the fabric of society in general. They are both unconscious and subtle and purposeful and bold. This kind of stuff just is and it’s pretty much accepted, even rewarded. Maybe it’s a relief when someone says something extremely misogynistic and sexist cause that’s easy to see and it might make us feel better cause we think if we can combat this blatant kind of misogyny things will improve. But that is an illusion. Misogyny/sexism is such a fact of life that one would have an easier time getting people to see air.

Perhaps class, status and environment determine the likelihood that men will pull their punches. But that’s just pus icing on a shit cake. Because the truth is this is how human beings have been socialized to treat the female gender and this is how most really feel whether they are comfortable enough to express it or not.