It is great to see how much progress has been made in the proper recognition of women, although there is still a long way to go. All power to them in their campaign. But the welcome emancipation of the female gender is not what this blog is about. This is a male complaint: the attitude of some women towards men involved in what were once traditional female activities. From my experience it seems that it is acceptable by all women for them to occupy male roles, but for a small number, a complete role reversal is seen as wrong. I’m obviously not suggesting that it’s now OK for men to give birth, but questioning why, as women join the workforce in increasing numbers, there are a percentage that question, even sneer, at men doing what were previously ‘female’ jobs.
Why is it seen as odd, by some women, for me to make cakes? Why shouldn’t I clean the house? What is peculiar about my washing clothes, hanging them out, mending and ironing where necessary? Is it because, despite the ever-present need for equality of the sexes, I am seen to be taking over traditional female occupations? Or is it because there are some women who still believe in the importance of keeping the old gender roles? Men should keep doing male activities and women should retain their female functions.
Men and women are equally capable of a wide variety of household and family chores, and women are increasingly employed in what, for too long, were regarded as traditional male roles, such as in the armed forces, police, firefighting, aviation, politics, finance, agriculture and scientific research. For a minority of women there seems to be a reluctance to give up the old ways – when men were men and women knew their place, mostly in the home. Come on ladies, if you want gender fluidity to allow your involvement in all aspects of society, you have to allow me the pleasure of making cup cakes!
Some examples.
An old codger's comments 