In a study that was done on first and second year female students (note: these are tertiary-educated folks), it was found that those who endorse anti-lesbian attitudes also tend to have traditional perspectives on the role of women e.g. domestic roles. They also believe that men and women have differing roles in support of patriarchy.
And it makes me wonder why is it that the same attitudes that accompany non-progress for women (i think this is an understatement. I think such attitudes take us a few steps back!) also stand together with anti-lesbian attitudes.
While we cannot say with 100% confidence what the cause is, there are some things we can say about it:
1. Education (not specific to gender issues) does not guarantee that a woman would develop critical thinking and challenge what she sees as inconsistent.
2. Norms are so pervasive that it affects women independently of religion, race and socio-economic status.
So what can we do?
In my opinion, i think it takes up minimal energy to challenge amicably any warped notions that your lady friends might bring up. You know… mild questioning.
Take this exchange for instance:
Friend: “Nah, women are just bad at mathematics. This is scientifically proven by so many studies.”
You: “There are other factors involved like expectations of oneself and ingrained perceptions of the self. This is also scientifically supported by the way, that women do equally well at mathematics tests when these stereotypes are stripped away. Besides, one of my lady friends is a mathematics whiz.”
Women who hate women who love women…
Women who love women need not be lesbians. They are also made up of those who believe in the potential of women and are supportive towards their progress.
[After all, lesbianism is not the same as believing in equality for women. They are two mutually exclusive concepts. We all know of lesbians who believe in being docile, subservient creatures, don't we?]
So, are you a woman who really love women?
Comments
shAnE said,
November 21, 2006 at 8:43 pm
Is there “equality” in men and women? I believe the answer is YES for several countries esp. Europe and the States. I don’t know the exact situation in S’pore, but I do know that in Malaysia, it’s critical.
Years ago there was this murder happened in KL, with a Malay who was killed by her bf. Her bf, whose wife was pregnant at that time, was found not guilty. One of the most silly question being asked (for the juries) was “Can you say that the guy was guilty of murder because the girl had several sex partners??”
Don’t you think it’s an idiotic question? Let’s think about it this way. If the one who commit the murder is the girl, do you think she can escape? And in this case the worst and ridiculous part is the wife was pregnant, he still slept with other women. So, can he be trusted?
I think there’re something need to be done to educate people in this reqion that we are equal. Don’t look at the differences between men and women, but the similarities of us being human.
pleinelune said,
November 22, 2006 at 10:13 am
I can’t stand these unfeminist women… I feel like shaking them and asking them whether they would even have the right to have such views, if not for our ancestors who fought for rights. Whether they would even have the right to CHOOSE what life they want, whether it may be a career path or a family path.
AnJ said,
November 22, 2006 at 11:05 am
Shane, that case… double standards!!!
It seems that many conservative folks see “purity” as a defining characteristic of women, without which a woman does not have the right to be called a virtuous woman… in some countries, to the extent that such women do not have the right to be alive.
But for men, it is more acceptable for them to sleep around… probably because many of those in power do so. Haha. It’s all about power and control i think.
Pleinelune, this is funny- The right to have anti-women’s-progress views! *laughs*
pleinelune said,
November 22, 2006 at 11:21 am
Ironic, isn’t it?
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