Prejudice against women

[Drea]

I'd just hire somebody

Many "city" men would be unwilling to climb into the septic tank too. Darn girly men (just kiddin')

[Remiel]

Who in their right mind would climb *into* the septic tank? We just dig it up and pay the dude with the truck to suck it out. Then we bury it again, rinse and repeat, way too often. That doesn't make it a pretty or a rosy smelling job, however.

[betsy]

I must say I haven't touched the lawnmower...not even once. And the barbeque!

But a few times I tried helping hubby shovel the snow..... he was the one who went like: "Oh you're not holding the shovel right. You'll end up with a broken back. I'll just be the one to do it...."

But one time he was sick. I insisted on doing it...it was light and fluffy anyway. Oh boy! The whole time he was there by the window, making sure I was holding that shovel right! It's like having a supervisor over my shoulder....but I know, he was just being concerned.

[Melanie_]

Interesting how this thread has evolved. I don't even know what to address at this point. The original post was about a book called the Natashas, and the global sex trade, which has been a recurring topic in one of the classes I teach this term (the course deals with child abuse, and we discussed child prostitution tourism, which involves men from first world countries taking holidays in third world countries specifically to have sex with children). I've put the book on my "To Read" list - probably won't get to it til the summer though. Margrace, I appreciate your bringing this topic to the forum, but I don't think there's much to debate here, as (I assume) no-one is going to publicly support these practices.

The FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION is one such crime against children and women worldwide and primarily found in Islamic -based cultures. This is a disgusting practice that is traumatic and sometimes leads to complications and death.

The lastest Stats are 160 million women world wide, the majority being Muslim.

Northstar, FGM is not based in Islam. While many cultures that practice it also practice the Muslim religion, the two are not linked. I'm not defending the practice; I've seen the effects first hand and they aren't pretty, but be careful of the connection you are making here - it isn't valid.

Black Dog, thank you for being consistently articulate; as I read this thread, there were so many points I wanted to respond to, but your responses were exactly what I wanted to say.

Women in North America have come so far towards equality, that sometimes people think we should be happy with the gains we've made and stop pushing for more. But until there are no gender based barriers imposed on women or men we can't claim a free and democratic society. We can't simply remove those barriers from our institutions and claim success - the bigger barriers are the attitudes and social values that take generations to change. It is better now than in my grandmother's time, and it will be better for my 1 year old granddaughter than it has been for me.

[TravellingTimeMachineSalesman]

Hey, what about discrimination against men? If you are black and male your chances of being killed are now far greater than a US serviceman in Vietnam. And where are the shelters for men who are victims of domestic violence?

[Drea]

And who's fault is that salesman?

Who is killing these black men? Hordes of white women? No -- other black men. Blame it on the gangsta culture that has evolved in our society...

Anyway, this has nothing to do with the thread, which is women's equality and the lack thereof across the world.

Next you'll tell us that circumcision is the same as fgm.

I agree Melanie, fgm is the worst crime against women that could ever be perpetrated. And it happens even in this country.

Why is it done? To prevent women from "straying", to prevent them from enjoying sex. It's a disgusting practice that needs to be erradicated.

[betsy]

So what about this other cultures being brought into this country? Like for instance, the violence towards the Hindu women or women from India?

Three deaths in a matter of 2 weeks....boy, we need to be bustin' some balls!

But no, kidding aside...WHY IS THIS HAPPENING IN THIS SOCIETY?

(Gross, I think I'm a little bit tipsy right now....hubby and me had been gossipping over several glasses of wine, I lost count!)

Better quit for now. See ya.

[Drea]

So what about this other cultures being brought into this country? Like for instance, the violence towards the Hindu women or women from India?

Three deaths in a matter of 2 weeks....boy, we need to be bustin' some balls!

But no, kidding aside...WHY IS THIS HAPPENING IN THIS SOCIETY?

Wasn't very long ago (one generation?) that "western" women felt the same shame, didn't know where to turn for help, etc. that these women are feeling now. I for one, am very glad the entire community is getting together to address the problem.

Perhaps part of it is "arranged" marriages? 20 years ago my mom worked with this one beautiful Indian girl, she was in her early twenties and was sooo worried because some older man from India was coming to be her husband. She ran away. I have no idea what became of her.

(Gross, I think I'm a little bit tipsy right now....hubby and me had been gossipping over several glasses of wine, I lost count!)

Better quit for now. See ya.