Women Are Kind And Men Are Strong: How Benevolent Sexism Hurts Us All

[Flatulo]

5. This is really pervasive, and unfortunately, it's perpetuated by both women and men.

My sister-in-law comes from a large family - seven sisters and their associated husbands and children. When the whole clan gets together, it's over 40 people. The women all gather in the kitchen to prepare the food, buffet style, while the men go to the living room to watch the Big Game.

I enjoy preparing and serving food. I do not enjoy team sports. So when I stroll into the kitchen to help out, I am physically shoved back into the living room. This traditional behavior gets passed on from generation to generation, and no one dares to even think that things can be different. And you know what else - my sister-in-law and her clan think I'm 'weird'. Possibly even gay, although I can't be sure. Not that I mind - I continue to try to break into the collective kitchen, but so far unsuccessfully.

What's even more troubling for me is that I see the very same behavior in the workplace. At large group meetings, the female engineers would prepare the coffee and refreshments for the males, who would wait their like little puppies with their yaps open, waiting for a goodie. Again, when I try to get involved, I'm shoo'ed away like a shoplifter. And these are educated women - engineers and scientists.

Go figure. In my home, I prepare and serve food to guests. People have commented, "What's the matter, can't Jayne do that?" I usually reply, "Sure she can, but we both prefer that I do it."