January 20 — Gender Double Standards
Are men and women held to the same standards of social and workforce behavior and rewarded or punished accordingly? And, why do we maintain the double standards? Is it to exert a measure of control on the other’s behavior or grounded in historical, social, cultural traditions? Or, are there other reasons? And, do we have to sustain them?
When: Sunday January 20, 6:00 -8:00 pm
Where: Midtown Arts & Coffee Lounge 519 E. 38th St. Indianapolis, Indiana 46205
This is organized by Mosaic: An International Conversation Cafe Community. Participation Fee: $10.00 (includes light refreshments and admission to Midtown’s poetry & music set for the evening.) Email your RSVP to: cindyball@sbcglobal.net or call at 317.920.0231.
According to Cindy Ball, organizer of this conversation, here are just a few examples of double standards which prompted this conversation topic.
1. Most men and many women call sexually liberated women “sluts” while men earn ‘favor’ for their abundant sexual encounters and its written off as a “boys will be boys” association is a pretty good example of unfair double-standards.
2. The United States government will draft men in to active combat, but will not draft women during wartimes.
3. Men’s prescription for Viagra is covered by healthcare insurance, while women’s birth control pills are not.
4. Women get labeled a home wrecker for having an affair with a married man, but the adulterous men are quickly forgiven and even defended.
5. Women still make far less than men for doing the same job.
6. If a woman is aggressive, outspoken, or pushy, she is labeled a bitch. The same qualities in a man make him a leader, motivational speaker or highly sought after businessman.
7. In the workplace, “It seems female managers may be expected to be sensitive to others’ emotions and to demonstrate this sensitivity by providing emotional support. Because of this, female managers’ job performance are judged on them being understanding, kind, supportive and sensitive,” says Kristen Byron, assistant professor of management in the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University, who conducted the research. “In contrast, this is not the basis to evaluate the performance of male managers. It is far more important for male managers, and men, in general, to be seen as analytical, logical and good at reasoning than showing care and concern for others.” Posted on November 29, 2007 by Chris Perkett from a report published by the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology.
Is this a moral values issue, a cultural issue, or a sexist issue that influences and sustain double standards? Come discuss some of the more blatant, annoying, and frustrating double standards that unfairly judges us, places us in boxes and have us fighting for equal recognition and treatment.
If this event sounds interesting, check out … IUPUI celebrates International Women’s Day February 28.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
[…] January 20 — Gender Double Standards. Are men and women held to the same standards of social and workforce behavior and rewarded or punished accordingly? And, why do we maintain the double standards? Is it to exert a measure of control on the other’s behavior or grounded in historical, social, cultural traditions? Or, are there other reasons? And, do we have to sustain them? check it out […]