The myth of respectable Women?

[eisanbt]

It has been my observation thus far in life that very few females are of what I, and it would seem many other as well, would consider being of respectable character and intelligence. Other members have noted their inability to conjure up an example of a woman who they felt has stood alone in life and made herself one worthy of great respect and admiration in whatever capacity.

 

I do not wish to infer that no woman I've met has been a sloth in life or otherwise irresponsible, however when I consider the great philosophers and intellectuals of my personal life thus far I have noted that none of them are female. I myself am respected by many people I share myself with and find myself in a constant position of council to the my world of woman. Some are certainly of great talent; Singer, Painters, Writers, Journalists and the like. People whose skills are considerable in their select or natural fields, but none who I would consider virtuous in the same right as the select people who I consider to be of the greater virtues such as intelligence, wisdom, compassion, and tranquility. I've found only the fellow men in my life to be such wondrous individuals.

 

I have considered this many times and always it seems to be the case where women are lacking in this realm, that of the most respectable people. I certainly hold no prejudice against woman, sexism is as illogical and horrid as the existence of a Christian God, but I have been forced to reach the following conclusion concerning the matter.

 

It is no secret that we are subject to differing social forces based on our sex. The expectations concerning such things a courting are different for men and women, and it would seem that the expectations which shape our characters as human beings differ substantially enough as to result in a noticeable difference in these 2 sides of the human coin.

 

I'm afraid I cannot speak as well on the pressures woman face as I can on the pressures that A man faces, but having been raised by a single mother and in response to numerous conversations with good friends and partners I have a vague understanding of what is expected of women. I might resent to you some pressures which your standard male must face such as the assumption of responsibility concerning affaires such as the family well being, initial contact when courting, support, and the general expectations that go along with the traditionally more competitive 'man's world' where one must be of high caliber in order to meet the expectations of greatness which are place upon those of us with a penis. The demands upon woman, though I argue not the harshness of these expectations, are not so great when it comes to being a great individual.

 

I myself argue this in my own mind, and I've valid arguments to the contrary, but I out this you to wrap your minds around. Let us try and avoid turning this into a pissing contest between the male and female members.

 

Note: There are certainly exceptions to this when it comes to those of celebrity but I refer more to those who we encounter in day to day life.

[hugo]

It is true that males dominate the extremes of the IQ bell curve. Most extraordinary geniuses and drooling retards are male.

[Lethalfind]

Eisan, I completely understand how you feel because I would be hard pressed to come up with the name of a man who I feel has integrity and is respectable.

[hugo]

Respectable women, by your definition, Golda Meir, Margaret Thatcher and Anna Nicole Smith.

[Phantom]

It has been my observation thus far in life that very few females are of what I, and it would seem many other as well, would consider being of respectable character and intelligence.

 

What social circles do you typically fit in with? Are you a bar fly or a church youth group leader? Are you a member of MENSA or do you have a VIP card at your nearest strip club? Answer this question so you can be provided with a more thorough analysis.

 

It is no secret that we are subject to differing social forces based on our sex. The expectations concerning such things a courting are different for men and women, and it would seem that the expectations which shape our characters as human beings differ substantially enough as to result in a noticeable difference in these 2 sides of the human coin.

 

In general, most women are willing to submit to the needs of their family. Although stereotypical rolls have shifted dramatically in the last 50 years, perhaps we are not nearly as advanced as we would like to believe.

 

The demands upon woman, though I argue not the harshness of these expectations, are not so great when it comes to being a great individual.

 

50 years ago, the man was responsible for the income and finances while the woman tended to the children and household. Today, most women work the same hours as their husbands while still being solely (if not mostly) responsible for childcare, housecleaning, cooking, and laundry. Such women, especially single mothers, have my deepest respect.

 

For a general assessment, perhaps it is the fact women are nurturers while men are the aggressors.

[builder]

This article was worth a read.

"Too many anthropologists have been looking for a society where women rule the affairs of everyday life, including government," she said. "That template—and a singular, Western perspective on power—doesn't fit very well when you're looking at non-Western cultures like the Minangkabau. In West Sumatra, males and females relate more like partners for the common good than like competitors ruled by egocentric self-interest. Social prestige accrues to those who promote good relations by following the dictates of custom and religion."

 

Dr. Sanday decided to propose a new definition of matriarchy after living for an extended period with the Minangkabau. The R. Jean Brownlee Endowed Term Professor of Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania, and Consulting Curator at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (UPM), she has spent most of the last 21 summers and some sabbaticals living in a Minangkabau village, conducting research supported in part by the Museum. In 1997, she curated a UPM photography exhibition, "Eggi's Village: Life Among the Minangkabau of Indonesia." She's followed that public exploration with a provocative new book, Women at the Center: Life in a Modern Matriarchy (Cornell University Press, May 2002).

 

Who are the matriarchal Minangkabau and why should we care? Dr. Sanday comes to her research as an expert on gender issues, violence and sexual politics in American society. (She's the author of A Woman Scorned: Acquaintance Rape on Trial [Doubleday, 1996], and Fraternity Gang Rape: Sex, Brotherhood and Privilege on Campus [New York University Press, 1990].) For her, it's a question to be passionate about, because the answer helps to broaden our understanding of the range of social possibility.

 

Today, four million Minangkabau, one of the largest ethnic groups in Indonesia, live in the highlands of the province of West Sumatra. Their society, Dr. Sanday discovered, is founded on the coexistence of matrilineal custom and a nature-based philosophy called adat. More recently, Islam was incorporated into the foundation. Despite the recent outbreak of violence associated with Islamist ideologies in many parts of the world, Dr. Sanday describes a peaceable, almost violence-free Minangkabau society.

 

Source

[eisanbt]

Eisan, I completely understand how you feel because I would be hard pressed to come up with the name of a man who I feel has integrity and is respectable.

 

 

This, in combination with Hugo's initial post, is one area where I see this difference. I'm not saying that I know no women who aren

[Feckless Wench]

Respectable women, by your definition, Golda Meir, Margaret Thatcher and Anna Nicole Smith.

 

Remove Margaret Thatcher from your list until you have lived under her crazy government...LMAO!

[hugo]

Let me quote some brilliant Brit (guess that ain't an oxymoron) on Maggie.

 

Margaret Thatcher could have saved Britain like King Arthur if she had not been betrayed. As it is, she had to be content with merely playing a major part in saving the World from Soviet Communism and giving Britain a few priceless years of national renewal and happiness. Like Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings she helped keep the Shadow at bay from Lothlorian till Mordor was overthrown. But where is her heir to lead and inspire us in these dark times that follow those great ones?

 

If ya cain't read a map ya cain't be too darn bright.

[builder]

Remove Margaret Thatcher from your list until you have lived under her crazy government...LMAO!

 

When they called her the "Iron Maiden", I figured she had the chastity belt from hell itself.

[hugo]

Sadly, Maggie, could only slow Britains plunge down the road to serfdom.

 

Marie Curie, brilliant woman who just happened to be married to a brilliant man.

 

Of course we all recognize the name of Sofia Kovalevskaya.

 

Let's face it, by and large women ain't real bright...but they got that vagina thing going for them.