by Larry Clifton

Created on: July 02, 2007

Does society favor men?

Women are disrespected to varying degrees and in different ways depending on what society one is inquiring about. In a global sense, men and women are treated quite differently. Women are paid less than men for equal work, women are raped and stalked by evil men. But there are many more subtle discriminations that societies project on women.

There are sexual connotations to the injustices "society" forces on women. For example, in some quarters of Europe, women frequently undress at the beach save a skimpy tee-back and frontal patch of material that would not cover the pubic area if it isn't shaved and waxed into what the Americans might call a mini-Mohawk doo. Bare breasts are the norm in many areas of Europe. Eventually, any society adapts to change, just as the Puritans of Europe have evolved to accept female nudity in public venues after a few thousand years of oppressing the concept by law.

In the US, nudity is acceptable under certain conditions. There are "nude" beaches, "nude" nightclubs, "nude" modeling and "nude" whatever as long as it is done on private property away from the curious eyes of the public. If a woman bares her breasts on a public beach or decides to take a topless stroll through an uptown park, authorities will likely bust her no pun intended. Because women's breasts are so often seductively displayed without total reveal, American men think of women's breasts as part of the female sexual apparatus, and are typically aroused at the site of mere cleavage. This is not to say European men aren't aroused at the sight of a topless sunbather, but simply to make a point of their lesser sensitivity to women's breasts as sexual objects.

In much of the Middle East, men are society and women are the property of society. Such mad, dark-age rituals as honor-killing one's daughter for her alleged infidelity are still practiced in many Middle Eastern cultures. Tens of millions of women living in Middle East kingdoms under radical Islamic monarchies and backwards dictatorial regimes are regularly beaten with the blessings of an ancient culture for such crimes as leaving their home unescorted, or driving a car. Baring her thighs or knees in public would cost a woman her life in many cultures of the Middle East.

It reeks of social immaturity to ask if society favors men. It always has, to one degree or another. The equation is to define "society" and measure the depth of its discrimination. Then act against it for the sake of all women.

Women often learn too late that chivalry is a poor substitute for equality.

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