Galen.Iksnudnard
Active Member
30+ Examples of Male Privilege
I'm putting this list up because I think that despite all the advances we've made since the 60's, America and many European countries are still patriarchal societies. True equality between the sexes can only be brought about by bringing down these misogynist stereotypes which ultimately are embedded in social constructs of gender along with the rest of the inequality-maintaining power structure.
Following is a list of male privileges. If you are male (and a man), listed below are benefits that result from being born with that gender and sex. If you identify as a man, there’s a good chance you’ve never thought about these things. Try and be more cognizant of these privileges in your daily life and you’ll understand how much work we have to do to make for a society that is equitable to all people, regardless of their gender.
- If you have a bad day or are in a bad mood, people aren’t going to blame it on your sex
- You can be careless with your money and now have people blame it on your sex
- You can be a careless driver and not have people blame it on your sex
- You can be confident that your coworkers won’t assume you were hired because of your sex
- If you are never promoted, it isn’t because of your sex
- You can expect to be paid equitably for the work you do, and not paid less because of your sex
- If you are unable to succeed in your career, that won’t be seen as evidence against your sex in the workplace
- A decision to hire you won’t be based on whether or not the employer assumes you will be having children in the near future
- Work comfortably (or walk down a public street) without the fear of sexual harassment
- Walk alone at night without the fear of being raped or otherwise harmed
- Go on a date with a stranger without the fear of being raped
- Dress how you want and not worry you it will be used as a defense if you are raped
- If you are straight, you are not likely to be abused by your partner, or to be told to continue living in an abusive household for your children
- You can decide not to have children and not have your masculinity questioned
- If you choose to have children, you will praised for caring for your children, instead of being expected to be the full-time caretaker
- Balance a career and a family without being called selfish for not staying at home (or being constantly pressured to stay at home)
- If you are straight and decide to have children with your partner, you can assume this will not affect your career
- If you rise to prominence in an organization/role, no one will assume it is because you slept your way to the top
- You can seek political office without having your sex be a part of your platform
- You can seek political office without fear of your relationship with your children, or who you hire to take care of them, being scrutinized by the press
- Most political representatives share your sex, particularly the higher-ups
- Get on my mailing list! Your political officials fight for issues that pertain to your sex
- You can ask for the “person in charge” and will likely be greeted by a member of your sex
- As a child, you were able to find plenty of non-limiting, gender role stereotyped media to view
- You can not care about your appearance without worrying about about being criticized at work or in social situations
- You can spend time on your appearance without having people criticizing you for upholding unhealthy gender norms
- If you’re not conventionally attractive (or in shape), you don’t have to worry as much about that negatively affecting your potential
- You are not pressured by peers and society to be thin as much as the opposite sex
- You’re not expected to spend excessive amounts of money on grooming, style, and appearance to fit in, while making less money than the opposite sex
- Have promiscuous sex and be viewed positively for it
- You can go to a car dealership or mechanic and assume you’ll get a fair deal and not be taken advantage of
- Expressions and conventional language reflects your sex (e.g., mailman, “all men are created equal”
- Every major religion in the world is led by individuals of your sex
- You can practice religion without subjugating yourself or thinking of yourself as less because of your sex
- You are less likely to be interrupted than members of the opposite sex
I'm putting this list up because I think that despite all the advances we've made since the 60's, America and many European countries are still patriarchal societies. True equality between the sexes can only be brought about by bringing down these misogynist stereotypes which ultimately are embedded in social constructs of gender along with the rest of the inequality-maintaining power structure.