Um, no. What's weird is to assume that man + child = pedophile. Also very weird to think that only women are capable of loving and nurturing a child. However, there is still a common gender bias that a mother's love is like no other.

Women can be bad at parenting, just as men can be spectacular at it.

What? Dads can't explain their children's problems?

When I took my son, the doctor was nice to me.

I know plenty of dads who take on the stereotypical role of Dad — no bathing, no diaper changes, etc. etc. But many more do it all or at least, a good bit.

Can't we judge each other for our brains and conversation instead of what came with our birthday suit?

Along those same lines, the termite inspector showed up here yesterday. He did a good job addressing both of us, but when he said, "And if you see any bugs, don't clean them up until we've seen them", he looked at me. I shrugged, looked confused, then he (wisely) turned to my husband and repeated it. Don't assume the neat freak in the house is me – you'll be sorely disappointed!

Andrea, what you experienced was a hostile work environment, and yes, discrimination. I'd have filed a suit on that jerk. His callous remarks in front of others are uncalled for, demean you, and strip away any chance of being treated fairly. That guy needed to be called on the carpet for it. Joke? Is he serious? He thinks that's an appropriate JOKE? I'd have shredded him – first through HR, second through a state-based lawsuit. There's no room in ANY company for that kind of behavior.

Becky, I have no doubt you outfished them. ;)) What is the objection these men have? It reminds me of the behavior of one guy when I was donating blood. The blood mobile showed up at our meditation retreat. We're all vegetarians. This jerk, as he's taking blood from my arm, said, "Yea, I'm going out after this and getting a big, juicy, STEAK. And after that, I'm going to BURGER KING."

I told him to have fun. Jerk.

About a year ago, I took a position as a Policy Analyst with a local non-profit organization. The Executive Director, Teddy, who didn't look a day older than twelve, constantly voiced how liberal he was. Ironically, one day he looked at me and said:

"We get money for hiring people like you."

"People like me?" I replied, confused.

"Yeah, since you're Hispanic we get additional funding. The fact that you’re a woman is an added bonus. HeHeHe."

As I sat staring at him with my mouth gaping open, I asked…"Did you hire me because I'm Hispanic?"
He replied, "That's funny," but never answered my question.

At the time, I dismissed the comment as the ill thought musings of a kid who lacked experience.
Six months later, while talking to a guy from another organization about Spain, Teddy approached us and said: "We get money for hiring Hispanics like her."

For a moment, I felt like some moronic token who had nothing to bring to the table but race. Then, if Teddy's comments were not enough, another girl chimed in, "Yeah, we have one of those too, her name is —- Agular."

Now, let's set aside the fact that I have a Master's degree in public policy from a program that is nationally ranked in the top 10 percent, I had to wonder if Teddy ever considered my background when he hired me.

Since I was in the throws of writing an extensive legislative policy that could potentially help thousands of low-income West Virginians, I held my tongue.

Later that day, I discussed my feelings with a co-worker who was a dead ringer for McFly from Back To The Future. He suggested that Teddy deserved to know how I felt, otherwise, how could I expect my boss to change his behavior? I thought his advice was prudent and took it. Oh yeah, and I forgot to add that although McFly held the exact same title as me, his salary was $10k higher than mine.

A few days later, after I'd taken some time to think and cool down, I approached Teddy and explained that his comment made me feel like I was not selected for my position based on merit, but race. His face turned beet red, then he pushed the chair away from his desk with his foot and yelled, "OH MY GOD! IT WAS A JOKE! GET THE HELL OVER IT! I HAVE LOTS OF FRIENDS WHO ARE HISPANIC AND BLACK. SO IF YOU'RE TRYING TO IMPLY THAT I'M A BIGOT, THEN YOU CAN JUST LEAVE!"

Needless to say, I completed my project and quit three months later.

I was employed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons for ten years, and was a social worker for two. In all that time, I never had any problems at work. In ten months, Teddy took me to a place I never thought I'd see myself in. I was a disgruntled employee.

After my awful experience with Teddy, I decided to write a novel and do some freelance writing. Essentially, I think being my own boss is the way to go.

Some of it exists backstage, but a lot less than in other places — except from producers and money men — emphases on MEN.

I was told more than once, when I stood up to a producer on an issue (especially as a union negotiator), that I was a bitch (when the same words spoken by a man were praised). My response, "As a matter of fact I am, and I'm proud of it. Good bloodlines, you know."

when I was in Australia a few years ago, we went to a sheep-shearing. The farmer told us he only used female dogs to herd and do the serious work, because they learned faster and could hold the concentration longer.

The male dogs were kept around just to breed! 😉

Sort of a metaphor — on a show, if there's real work to be done or a real problem to be solved, it always gets done by the wardrobe dept. And Props will always try to take the credit. 😉

Eileen, that's a VERY interesting situation! Funny how we're assertive and we're called bitches. Men are assertive and they're called up for promotion. I've had commenters on various posts, especially ones in which content mills are involved, condescend to me. It's just ridiculous. It's as though there's this perception that we're unworthy of respect or that what we have to say has any weight to it.

Has anyone else read "You Just Don't Understand" by Deborah Tannen? She goes into reasons why this could be happening, and it's a fascinating read.

Other forums were so blatantly sexist that I just can't even stand to go to them. I can tell a raunchy joke & cuss with the best of them, but as I get older, I get tired of hearing things like "Put down your purse & pull on that fish like you have a set!" and other examples involving our biology that are probably a little too vulgar to go into here. I'm kinda tired of being expected to grin & bear it.