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Is this the century of Women?

Posted by gosmelltheflowers • 9/09/07 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: century, change, clinton, emotional, female, flowers, love, male, relationships, sexist

As a his n hers blog and soon to be book, GO! Smell the flowers has the occasional 'healthy' his n her debate.

We stumbled upon this battleships board game cover from way back that features two guys playing at the table with the Mother and daughter merrily doing the dishes in the kitchen, just happy for their men.

Here it is:

www.gosmelltheflowers.com/blog/archives/918

Imagine that being published these days?

Not a chance!

Do let us know your thoughts on this dated attitude and the future of male / female roles both here and at our blog. Do include you link details and promote your site, particularly if it covers any relationship and gender issues!

So, Is the 21st century the century of women or can men carry of being hunter gatherers while dinner is prepared?

Do tell!

User Comments

9/09/07

footiam

There is a woman in every man and vice versa. That's why women put on pants some time and men whine and sulk! Believe it or not, it has always been our century.

[reply]
9/09/07

gosmelltheflowers

There is a balance, of course, but are we waking up to something?

[reply]
9/09/07

FemmedeBat

The rates of violence against women continues to be astronomical.

[reply]
1. 9/15/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Is that due to in equality or neanderthal man?
9/09/07

clioandme

I'm skeptical about seeing history in terms of progress. See historysurvey.blogspot.com/2007/06/narrating-european-history-progress-or.h...

Still, it is interesting to notice changes outside of the Western world. Look at the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner: nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2004/maathai-bio.html

[reply]
1. 9/09/07
  
  FemmedeBat
  
  Hey, that was good. Funny thing about history... When I studied sociology and anthropology I loved it. If you called it "history", I would immediately develop a mysterious case of acute narcolepsy.
  
  Now that I'm older, I see so much value in history, but I also think that I'm behind in my learning because I'm still learning how to look at history.
  
  Anyway, good blog, stoneman.
2. 9/09/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Enlightening stuff stoneman, thanks, this is more than welcome at our blog if you get the chance to post!
3. 9/12/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Thanx for sharing stoneman..
4. 9/12/07
  
  FlyingFader
  
  So true. I don't get it when left-wing politicians are described as progressive, as if society has some goal that it is moving towards.
9/09/07

MadameX

I think it's interesting how the negative reaction to something as simple as a game box is dictated by cultural perception. I'm not sure it's "progress" to discover that we're just as programmed into a different viewpoint today as we were into a particular outlook then. I agree that it's hard to "imagine that being published these days", but why? Is it because we have a different natural outlook, or because the publisher would be on guard enough against anything that could be interpreted as sexist that every game box must have a carefully studied balance of male/female, young/old, and even racial groups?

Looking at my daughter's games, I see that none of them have families playing games on them anymore. Not one. Is that because families don't play games together anymore and it's not a representation appealing to the purchasers? If so, I don't think that's progress. Is it because it's too hard to decide what race the family should be, because different races are better received in different areas of the country, and it's too costly to create different boxes for different markets? If so, I don't think that's progress either.

[reply]
1. 9/09/07
  
  v1ctorya
  
  Good insight! I think we are way more guarded and fearful of offense now than before. We need to stop being afraid of ourselves. And yes, statistics against women are still horrific (some newsertainment show was talking about how the #1 cause of death for pregnant women in the US is murder.) But then, statistics on child abuse is also disgusting, so people still take out their frustrations on the easiest targets.
2. 9/09/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Maybe that is the whole point, MadameX that the stereotypical family unit as we knew it has gone entirely?
3. 9/09/07
  
  MadameX
  
  Maybe it is, but if so, I think it's quite probably the furthest thing from progress we've ever experienced.
9/09/07

RobSellen

Read "manhood" by steve biddulph. ;o)

Answers alot. :o)

[reply]
1. 9/10/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Does it have pictures? :0)
2. 9/10/07
  
  RobSellen
  
  LMAO... ;o) NOT the ones you are thinking of!! ;o)
9/09/07

scorpy01

Interesting. We had that game but "we" are all female. I had sisters, not brothers. Of course, my mom worked full-time outside the home, as did my dad, and they both did all the housework. In fact, my dad was the better cook so the kitchen was mostly his domain. I never knew that was unusual back in the 60s. Well, until Phil Donahue told me it was in the 70s.

But I agree with Tiffany on every point. I won't restate her comment because she said it perfectly.

[reply]
1. 9/10/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  We agree!
9/09/07

Norski

No, it's the century of the wombat.

[reply]
1. 9/10/07
  
  QuestionHillary
  
  "No, it's the century of the wombat."
  
  Beauty!
2. 9/11/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  LOL!!!
3. 9/11/07
  
  clioandme
  
  I had fun googling images of wombats and learning about them.
9/10/07

QuestionHillary

I have no idea.

In any event, could one of you gals make me a sandwich?

And bring me a cold beer?

Thanks again.

[reply]
1. 9/10/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Ouch!
9/10/07

robinj

I think its an illusion that the stereotypes and roles have changed dramatically boys still get trucks and girls still get dolls women still come to me wanting to know when Mr Right is coming because they think a man will fix all their problems in their life....and men I think still feel the pressure of having to be the strong silent one
The wrapping may have changed but the issues are still there

[reply]
1. 9/10/07
  
  scorpy01
  
  But how much is nature and how much nurture?
  
  My only daughter has 4 older brothers (1 younger). Shortly after she was born, we moved into our garage, tore down our house and rebuilt a bigger one in its place. Consequently, we didn't buy many toys for Maggie in those early years. At first there wasn't much room and then we were trying to afford the massive renovations.
  
  Despite having to play with her brother's hand-me-down toys, Maggie played "like a girl." She would "rock" her brother's action figures and when playing outside in the dirt, use the plastic shovel to "feed" the action figures like they were baby dolls. The memory of it still gives me pause. Everyone said she'd be a tomboy. Nothing could be further from the truth.
  
  Perhaps the best thing parents can do is to expose their kids to everything and let them choose what they prefer.
2. 9/10/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  We like the wrapping analogy, good one!
3. 9/10/07
  
  MadameX
  
  I think that my sister and I were raised very similarly in terms of the toys and entertainment we were offered. Hot Wheels were my favorites from a very early age, and I loved going with my dad to antique car shows even as a young child. My sister was the queen of Barbies, and absolutely never left the house without a baby doll. I still have my Hot Wheels, and my sister has enough beads to build a house out of.
4. 9/12/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Great point, so inside its all the same, despite society?
9/10/07

robinj

my nephew begged his mother for cabbage patch dolls when he was 10 his macho father was horrified but the boy got the dolls he wanted he is now 28 a former afl footballer a builder by trade 6ft 6in of very male man....I think people forget we have both yin and yang traits within us and speaking as a gay person I think half the fuss with toys and roles stems from a fear of your child not measuring up to societies standards of what a woman or man should be

[reply]
1. 9/11/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  Fantastic insight Robin, Thank you.
9/12/07

therealshari

Whether or not it's the century of the woman, we outlive men by many years, so learning to be, and become independent is a matter or survival, not a power grab.

I'm in my early 60's and have older women friends who are having to rely on their children for important financial decisions, and any maintenance stuff. Imagine if the kids suddenly want a life of their own, without Mama.

As for me, I am fully independent, and unless I lack the physical strength, can generally get done what I want and need to...

If there's one area where things have changed, it's women being recognized for their problem-solving skills. I believe you'll find women in management tend to present more creative solutions and also bring a more "nurturing" environment to all aspects of business.

We've not been "schooled" in the art of "old boy networking", and that has put us a bit of a disadvantage... but we're catching up... fast!

[reply]
1. 9/13/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  What about emotional intelligence, EQ becoming more important than IQ?
9/13/07

CreativeBlogger

I think men have been greatly demasculinated by the femenist movement and there is nothing more irritaing than having a man tell you how to achieve 'more bubbles' when doing the washing up! Back to the TV man and let me get on with the dishes!

Jesting of course. How much has it really changed? From what I see, not a great lot.

Political correctness masks the truth it does not change it.

[reply]
1. 9/14/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  LOL!
9/13/07

careysaysums

If it is, I'd better take up crossdressing. I'm already blind and it certainly isn't the century for blind guys. Blind, white (and can't see it) and masculine...I'd better do something to get ahead. Blogging is taking too long, but maybe a dress will help.

[reply]
1. 9/15/07
  
  gosmelltheflowers
  
  That would make a cool blog, carey!