Gender-Bias at the Goal Post!

This past weekend as I sat with a group of (mostly) men watching the Super Bowl, I was keenly aware of the recurring  gender-demeaning remarks used by men to describe women. The discussions of desirable and undesirable shapes, sizes and sexiness were discerning.

Excuse me 'honey' one gentleman said as he moved in front of me to place a tray of food on the table. Another engaged in a conversation about his inconvenient plane ride the day before. He made countless negative remarks about the 'female stewardesses' stressing the words female and women by actually using air quotes to punctuate these words. At one point he stated that they were most likely too engrossed in talking about 'shoes and jewelry' to tend to the passengers. 

Another discussion was focused on the half time show and visions of accidentally-exposed body parts of an event gone by.  I won't elaborate on the awful comments made at this point. A sarcastic remark was made about the need for a female commentator which resulted in quite a few guffaws from the small crowd.

As I looked around the table I saw businessmen, highly respected in many walks of life. What chance, if any, would a woman have in climbing the corporate ladder under their leadership? Their obvious disdain for and lack of respect for women was apparent. I couldn't help but wonder how it got there? Their fathers? Their teachers? The media? Society? Do they really view women this way or are they just acting out the expected male role? 

As the clock ran down so did my tolerance. I went home feeling troubled. I went home feeling angry. I also went home feeling energized. We have so much work to do! Can we do it? I think we can! We have to!