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Few things in our society ever get questioned. We get caught in its cogwheels in such a way that we don’t realize that our expectations, attitudes, and ideas about how things should be get distorted.

And when it comes to women, unwanted things and unpleasant experiences they have to go through are often so normalized, nobody makes a big deal out of it. You stop for a sec and wonder ‘how on earth did this happen?’

This exact discussion was sparked when one redditor asked women on Ask Reddit “What is something that women experience and is seen as 'normal' but is actually very wrong, and shouldn’t be as accepted as it is?” As you can imagine, women had a lot to say in that department and the responses started flowing in. Let’s see some of the most eye-opening ones right below.

#1

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Being expected to be nice when a man is overstepping your boundaries. As soon as we express any discomfort we're made to feel we should be nice to them. Eg: it was only banter, lighten up, that sort of thing.

infamyinfamy , Keira Burton Report

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    #2

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Downplaying how horrible periods can be. I've seen so many men act like women are being babies on their period and it's just enraging.

    OverallDisaster , Sora Shimazaki Report

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    Eva the Egg
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wouldnt it be great if all men in the world had a day were they were on a period and could see how it feels?

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    #3

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up No.

    That's it.

    The word no.

    When a guy says no it's not usually questioned, they don't have to go into a long detailing as to why.

    When a woman says no to pretty much anything they're either asked or they feel compelled to have to explain why their answer is no.

    No is a complete sentence.

    iamthenightrn , Anete Lusina Report

    #4

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Dressing little girls in a way that makes it difficult for them to move around. Your 4-year-old should not miss out on valuable play because she doesn't want to mess up her clothes or hair. Her appearance should be the last freaking thing on her mind. It makes me so angry to see little girls having to sit on the sidelines while their brothers and male cousins play rambunctiously because their parents put them in a dress and expensive shoes.

    parezcounapina , Omid Armin Report

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    Deborah B
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This! It sets their expectations for their whole life, until they're trying to walk in a tight pencil skirt and high heels, and have no pockets.

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    #5

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Pressure to have kids. Lectures and being guilted if you don't want to. The weird idea some people push that motherhood needs to be the center of our lives.

    Connie_Damico , Liana Mikah Report

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    frangee
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, from such a young age, kids, especially girls, are expected to play at being parents and stuff. It just makes it seem as though their whole life revolves around having kids.

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    #6

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Medical discrimination. Not believing woman’s pain or symptoms or saying they are completely related to your monthly cycle/hormones.

    And thinking of woman primarily by their reproductive capacity. Yes, doctor I came in for this rash but sure let’s answer your question on family planning and my birth control options.

    Nephron8 , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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    River Webb
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Woman: has incredibly large rash all over her body Woman: *happens to be on period* Doctor: coincidence? I think not!

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    #7

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up "When a boy is mean to you, that means he likes you..."

    JUST NO!!! Anyone that truly loves you will not hurt you mentally, physically, or verbally. EVER!!! They tell you this when you're young to prepare your for a dirtbag husband in the future and some women never get the common sense to see that it's actually a bully!

    Chuck2025 , RODNAE Productions Report

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    #8

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up I know way too many women who think it's normal to have to do most of the housework and childcare, plus the mental and emotional load of household management, even if they also have an outside job. Also to manage their husbands as if they are children who can't be expected to remember to make appointments or buy their own clothes or things for the children or holidays or take care of menial tasks without reminders and help.

    FranzLuciferdinand , August de Richelieu Report

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    troufaki13
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Women DO the housework and childcare while men HELP. This approach needs to change :/

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    #9

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Being expected to let men have sex with them but also shaming any woman who also shows a modicum of Libido. It's almost like society wants women to have sex but hate it at the same time and it's gross

    Chessebel , cottonbro Report

    #10

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up In public spaces, when men put their hands on you so they can pass by. It's common in clubs and bars, but happens elsewhere, too. Funny thing is, a guy can't get past you without putting his hands on your waist. But, he can navigate a wall of men totally touch free. So creepy and intrusive

    RasSass_01 , Keira Burton Report

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    #11

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Spaghetti strap tanktops on a hot summer day being "provocative".... And the high school dress code

    crazy4zoo , Igor Rodrigues Report

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    Soggy Crumpet
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Agree with the spaghetti strap comment but also agree with having a basic dress code at high schools

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    #12

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up I find it a bit insulting when you see a picture of a woman who is really pretty and you find out that she’s a top scientist or engineer or a doctor, something very prestigious, and a person says “ Wow, She’s pretty, I wasn’t expecting that!” What, like are smart people usually butt ugly? pretty girls can’t be smart? Wtf! I feel like that’s really common and needs to end.

    itsrachyrach , ThisIsEngineering Report

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    Amy Pattie
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dude, just because YOUR brain goes to mush every time you see a pretty girl doesnt mean HER brain is mush

    Seth Linn
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, the entertainment industry has kind programmed us to think attractive people are stupid and smart people are ugly.

    Ozacoter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Excaot that in the case of women in media "ugly" means extremely pretty with glasses

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    Easily Excitable Panda
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NASA has actually asked its female engineers to wear makeup on televised launches, etc., so that girls who are watching will be able to see that you can be smart and pretty at the same time. I don't know whether that's awesome or whether I should cry.

    Aurelia!
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That actually makes me sad. I understand the reasoning, but I think it is equally as important to show young girls that they don't have to be conventionally pretty to be successful - I think the best thing that NASA could do would be to hire a diverse set of women and let them present themselves however the heck they want - makeup or no makeup, whatever. That would show girls both that there are many kinds of beautiful, and that intelligent people don't have to look one way.

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    Salty Old Woman
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think maybe we need to be careful what we wish for this this one.i don't honestly know, and I welcome responses to this comment. But I feel like it used to be enough for me to be the smart, nerdy girl. But now I feel like it's becoming a requirement to be sexy as well. And I'm so sick of feeling like I'm supposed to be sexy just because I'm a woman. Now, I try to dress well, and look put together. But I've never had the personality of wanting to be "hot". It just doesn't fit me. I'm just me. I don't mean to ramble, but it feels like this one is putting us in the direction of the "super woman" again. After all, most male scientists aren't thought of as sexy. Just nerdy. It's ok for them to excel at just the one thing. They don't have to be everything. Am I not good enough if I'm smart, but not also stunningly beautiful?

    Ileana Sky Aviles
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This!! It's not just appearance, it's also being severely underestimated. I'm not sure why going out on dates, people are surprised I work for a living. Was I suppose to function as a lamp or floor ornament?

    DetongLhamo
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A well known Australian TV personality in the 1980s said on air regarding a female intellectual “Well make up your mind- you’re either attractive or you’re smart, you can’t be both”.

    Marnie
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To them, a beautiful woman is a sex doll, so they're surprised when the doll walks and talks.

    Victoria the Dragon Girl
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    well I look fine and everyone says I'm smart... WHAT IS THE POINT IN MALES ALWAYS BEING THE SMART ONES!

    Not Proud British
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or them choosing the prettiest engineer to photograph rather than the ordinary looking ones.

    pusheen buttercup
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Exactly. When you're considered pretty people instantly assume you're shallow. They're just genes people, get over it.

    BiLal Asif
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Come on now it's just based on the typical stereotype of dumb & beautiful & the no of female scientists compared to males

    Leo Domitrix
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can we agree that you can have a very good intellect no matter how you look, please?

    KT
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Probably because 90% of this world is undatable lol

    Drakaina Dreadnought
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or, the other way around. If you're ugly you're expected to be the smart one, because you sure don't have looks going for you.

    Suzanne Haigh
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, but if a women is good looking she has a much better chance to succeed

    Chris Challis
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have never heard that said very much... It just reflects the mindset of the person making the statement. Narrow and unworldly. It is that to be pretty, educated and intelligent is just too much for some inadequate people....Look at what they tried to say about Marilyn Monroe and Elvis. Cant be sexy and bright, what a joke!

    Galamot Shaku
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Think this is more of a “beauty privilege” thing, but even if you’re not that hot guys will comment on your appearance nevertheless

    Thenatural
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Equally with men...handsome guys with gym honed bodies aren't expected to be scientists so what's your point?

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    #13

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up My 14 year old daughter pointed out today how often my dad interrupts me. I hadn’t even noticed. She said, “yeah - all the men in our family interrupt and talk over you except dad.”

    breadfruitbanana , Ekaterina Bolovtsova Report

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    Nat Hedley
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    'I'm sorry, did the middle of my sentence interrupt the beginning of yours?'.

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    #14

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up The amount of sexual abuse and harassment that is rampant in our society. Most women I know started being harassed by men when they were elementary school students, and that is seen as normal.

    the-neonmoon , Alex Green Report

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    Sinkvenice
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sexual harassment of women, ESPECIALLY young girls, isn't seen as normal. It of course happens which is atrocious and should absolutely be stopped but only sexual predators think it's "normal."

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    #15

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up As a child boys pulling your skirt up.

    Periods like they are something we should be ashamed of and not talk about.

    When talking a rape, women are told things they should not do and things are directed at they are to blame for anything and everything that happens.

    Being talked over.

    You either talk too much or not enough.

    Being sexualized at any age. Looking at you beauty pageants.

    When you prove a man wrong, somehow you are villain because you hurt his pride.

    Worsethanboys , Anete Lusina Report

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    River Webb
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    beauty pageants are a total menace, not only are children forced into performing when they don't want to but their bodies are also sexualised in totally disgusting ways

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    #16

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Men hitting on you after you’ve made it clear you’re not interested but stopping immediately if they find out you have a boyfriend, so you must “belong” to another man.

    rngrb3 , Katerina Holmes Report

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    #17

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up The fear of expressing too much comfort around male friends who might see it as a sexual opportunity. Too many of us experience this

    Ripple935 , Katerina Holmes Report

    #18

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Men pushing boundaries without consent during sex. "Accidentally" putting it in the wrong hole. Strangling. Hitting. Abusive misogynistic language. Pretty much every woman I know has had a man do these things out of nowhere towards them and they are supposed to accept it because it's "kinky" or something. And now it's literally 15 years old girls who are dealing with this trauma because of p*rn normalizing it as something boys are supposed to do to women, its completely disgusting

    OrangeyPanda , Valeria Boltneva Report

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    Ripley
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Young people (all genders) *need* to be told that porn is not real. Over and over again until they get it. For a lot of kids it may be the only sex education they get. No wonder they have a really skewed view of what sex is supposed to be like.

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    #19

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Women's clothing being paper thin and without pockets.

    ChunkyStains , Artem Beliaikin Report

    #20

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Not getting the help from doctors that we need to survive. A woman in my country died from cancer that was related to her undiagnosed endometriosis, but for years doctors just thought they were 'bad periods'.

    Morticia_Black , Ivan Samkov Report

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    Ozacoter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This. It took me 10 years to get my endometriosis and adenomyosis diagnosed and another one to get surgery (and it went terrible due to a sexist doctor). By the time I got treated the endo wasnso bad that it was basically too late to help. I cannot work or have a normal life anymore because of all the doctors that ignored me or put my fertility as a bigger priority than my health

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    #21

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up The expectation that women should wear makeup to be seen as professionals.

    Aging isn’t allowed. It is the norm for men to grow older and look it but women are constantly pressured to look young.

    wewereonabreakkkk , Ekaterina Bolovtsova Report

    #22

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Being firm often leads to a woman being branded as demanding.

    micumpleanoseshoy , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

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    Zophra
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or a called a bitch. The double-standard is very obvious especially in management positions.

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    #23

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Women having to come up with safe and clever ways to reject a man’s advances instead of being able to give a simple no and have it being respected.

    makeshiftmarty , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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    Lisa Whipp Myhre
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Being a firmly committed single woman, sometimes I dread having to explain the whole "yes, I'm single, no, I'm not looking for a mate" conversation. I used to lie and say I was married or had a boyfriend, but many times they took it as a challenge.

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    #24

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Catcalling, it's gross and degrading.

    Electrical-Nothing25 , Keira Burton Report

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    Eva the Egg
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I absolutely hate this. Not only that it makes us extremely self conscious, it is also considered sexual harassment.

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    #26

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Being with giant manbabies who do not know how to act like adults.

    Ladies it is not normal to be with someone who argues with you, never cleans up after himself and expects you to do all of the housework.

    Csherman92 , Diva Plavalaguna Report

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    Doggo Froggo
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well we don't have to stay with them, at least. And we can teach them otherwise if they are willing to learn. Sad we have to think like that though.

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    #27

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Not being able to walk down the street at night with headphones on without carrying your keys as a weapon.

    An-Aussie-Abroad , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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    Cleo Carter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not being able to walk down the street at night ALONE without carrying your keys as a weapon

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    #28

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up The amount of money we have to pay for menstrual products. I remember being a poor university student having to use rolled up toilet paper because I couldn't afford pads or tampons, and menstrual cups were not a thing back then. $12 for a box of tampons doesn't seem like much, until you're living off KD, ramen, and rice, then it becomes a luxury.

    livercookies , Polina Zimmerman Report

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    El muerto
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    should be free...or at least very subsidized...guess you'll need free health care for that

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    #29

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up The fact that women die of reproductive cancers more often than men because our pain and symptoms aren't taken seriously. So many health women lose their lives because their pain and suffering is considered normal, are told that what they're experiencing isn't bad because women are meant to experience pain and dysfunction.

    TheThoughtfulLemon , Sharon McCutcheon Report

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    PandaPanda
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It. Is. Infuriating. Periods are not a way to shove aside real problems. If something is wrong, it is the doctors job to take it seriously. No. Matter. What.

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    #30

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Telling me to smile when I don't f**king want to. But when I was younger I did out of discomfort.

    anonymous , Andrea Piacquadio Report

    #31

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up One thing I have dreaded since beginning. Like it was the first thing that caught my eye as a sign of normalised discrimination, was.. Whenever a guest arrived at my place. I or my sister was supposed to make tea or prepare some snacks. But my brothers played outside. I hated it so much.

    paw__ , Gary Barnes Report

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    White Paper Tsuru
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same. I hate the whole 'girls in the kitchen' expectation. I'm in there so my mother isn't doing all the work, but f**k it. My dad should know how to make something in the kitchen other than alcoholic beverages for hosting.

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    #32

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Inappropriate behavior from men, especially from a young age. If a boy hits a little girl he “just likes her”. That little boy grows up thinking there’s no repercussion for violence, and keeps hitting women. The cycle just goes on.

    professional_joe , Danielle Report

    #33

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Birth control. Side effects and horrible horrible possible risks

    caitiemaybugu , cottonbro Report

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    #34

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up I mean, the complete double standards we have for women as mothers as opposed to fathers. There’s a lot to be said but for example, we tell moms it’s normal to sacrifice damn near you’re whole entire body/career/hobbies/life for the kids but men are somehow not held to the same standard? Idk if I’m explaining well, I’m a tired mom.

    MittenKitten1992 , Kristina Paukshtite Report

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    CowboyHank
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I must be missing something. Because when I became a father I sacrificed everything for my children. Anything that I wanted to pursue that didn't involve a little girl was off the table.

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    #35

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up That people think they have the right to comment on how a woman looks or what she is wearing. There have been way too many times where someone feels they need to point out my 'physical flaws' just because. For example: acne, dark circles under my eyes, body/facial hair, paleness, etc.

    mermaid_with_pants , Tim Samuel Report

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    Beatrice Multhaupt
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Being lectured in public by a total stranger for my ''sloppy'' clothes while I was on my way to work on a stage set.

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    #36

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up The constant picking apart of womens appearance by basically everyone and holding women to insane beauty standards (extensions, false lashes, makeup, drawn on eyebrows, contouring tricks to change your face, dye your hair, dress sexy, don't dress too sexy, wax your privates, dye your hair, stay in shape, have a big butt, tiny waist, push up bras, get fake nails, on and on and freakin on)

    Snoo55011 , Andres Ayrton Report

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    Ziva Kravdahl
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I was teenager everyone was impressed with my huge eyelashes ("Are they real?!"). Now every girl has bigger fake lashes so it's not a big deal :(

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    #37

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Being polite to creepy men. There are so many things that can go wrong and I've read too many stories of women being killed for not taking a guy's number

    TheSilverCrystal , cottonbro Report

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    Kirsten Kerkhof
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Basically you're f*cked if a creep takes an interest in you. If you say no, you should've given him a chance to show he was nice (so you had it coming). If you say yes, you accepted his advances and you should've known he was a threat (so you had it coming).

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    #38

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up People speaking over them, and/or the inherent ‘brush off’ that “if a woman says it it needs to be verified somehow.”

    elephantasmos , Polina Zimmerman Report

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    Celtic Pirate Queen
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Man-splaining". My former boss tried to explain the industry specific accounting program I HAD CREATED to me. I was like, "Oh, really? OK. Show me how to run this report". And of course he said he didn't know how. I ran him through another few hurdles, just to make my point. And after conceding that he really didn't know how to do anything, I was like , "Really? Because I do. Wanna know why? I wrote the f*****g program".

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    #39

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up The way pregnancy is treated like an illness. I feel like if men had to go through childbirth there would be more medical advancements in the field. Also, women’s childbirth injuries are often never treated seriously because the child is prioritized. Many never fully recover.

    purplesky23 , Kei Scampa Report

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    Leo Domitrix
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is definitely a problem that varies across nations/regions. The biggest injury issues still ignored (IMHO) are pelvic floor damage that results in bladder/bowel dysfunction and pain,if not spinal nerve compression issues.

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    #40

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up I’m in the UK, I love running but I pretty much can’t train past a few months as when my fiancé is home at 4:30pm it’s dark, I can’t run on our old railway path when it’s dark! It’s annoying but normal to me now, but for a man? Yep run on your own at 5pm no worries

    UnderstandingCheap57 , Alex McCarthy Report

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    Nat Hedley
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Handy hint: get some workout gear clearly branded with a martial arts club. Even better, also go to the martial arts club. There was a wonderful story in the UK news a few years back of a young woman attacked by what turned out to be a serial rapist as she went through a (park, I think? It was a while back so can't remember the details). She was a trained martial artist and beat the s**t out of him. This is one negative aspect of being female we can change.

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    #41

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Not technically "women" but I think getting an infant/very young girl's ears pierced should not be acceptable. Parents are ignoring their child's right to consent to things that happen to their body and it's purely aesthetic. Strange to push beauty standards on babies, let alone one that involves literally putting a hole in their body that could last their whole life.

    naughtyschool_girl , Bassam Abo Hamed Report

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    JessG
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can we say the same about circumcision? It isn't necessary to butcher a baby

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    #42

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up The way the medical community seems to approach childbirth. I've watched documentaries etc. (no kids myself) and what really struck me is how patronizing everyone was to these women who are going through perhaps the worst pain of their life, and how things like LITERALLY CUTTING THEIR GENITALS are seen as no big deal.

    AirStoned , freestocks Report

    #43

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Not being taken seriously.

    The_Special_Teacher , Vera Arsic Report

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    Natalie KS
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Robert - "Name one example" How about your questioning of this post? Or is the irony stumping you?

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    #44

    Being tickled/touched by older men (grandpas, uncles, neighbors) and given sexual compliments like “you have child-bearing hips” or “you have your mother’s bum” from a young age.

    RidiculousDaydreams Report

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    Deborah B
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Being expected to let these older men tickle or hug you, when you don't like it, because otherwise 'he'll be offended' 'you'll hurt his feelings', 'you're being rude', 'don't make a scene' Or 'Just put your hand out to shake hands, and he won't try to hug you.' How about teaching our little girls that their bodies are their own, and no one has the right to touch them without consent. How about teaching them to say "No! Don't touch me! I don't like it!" and they absolutely should make a scene, give offense, and hurt peoples feelings, rather than submit to something that makes them feel unsafe and uncomfortable.

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    #45

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Being treated like you're to frail / idiotic / incapable to do things. When people won't let you do things because you're a woman or tell you to wait for or get your male partner to do that thing. I know it might be put across, commonly, as a care or consideration, but it's condescending, diminishing and a deprivation, at times.

    riverkaylee , Lachlan Ross Report

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    Joanne O'Brien
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At Scouts I was a assistant leader who did more work than the guy who was my leader. I only got respect from male scouts because the men who run the scouts yelled at then to respect me (they're really cool guys who care about me and treat with respect.)

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    #46

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Being expected to fix a broken man. Men are never expected to fix broken women, but women are always expected to be some dudes second mommy when he needs to go see an actual therapist.

    Mewmoe , Pixabay Report

    #47

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Ignoring the very real and common (1:4) issue of miscarriage. Over 25% of women will experience one. And more than a few of those will have multiple failures. But we are not allowed to talk about children that never breathed.

    jayjay3078 , cottonbro Report

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    Doggo Froggo
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well I didn't know that so many women experience such trauma - I suppose that shows how little it is spoken about which is disgusting. I have a lot of respect for every women who has survived the (emotional and physical) pain of miscarriage - wait no I have respect for EVERY woman, full stop. And, of course, people of every other gender. But we are talking about women right now.

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    #48

    Strange men asking me to smile for them. It's not normal, it's creepy. You should feel straight cringed by this.

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    #49

    The fact that they don't offer any pain mitigation for an IUD insertion is ridiculous.

    PearlieSweetcake Report

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    zovjraar
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i got the one in my arm. got one pain shot and let me tell you, i cannot imagine what it would have felt like without it. it felt like someone was using one of those huge wood staplers and punching staples into the underside of my arm. and that is a sensitive spot!! i can't imagine getting an IUD!

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    #50

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up I've had women act shocked that my husband cooks dinner not "sometimes" but at least once a week. He helps cook every other night. We trade off on dishes.

    I had a grown man proudly tell me he has never cooked, his mother or his wife always cook for him.

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    Callie Dryer
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That dude must be illiterate or some how deficient if he's never cooked. I know a guy who's only good at boiling water and maybe microwaving TV dinners.

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    #51

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up That condescending and infuriatingly arrogant tone that some men take on when explaining something (be it a hobby, some interesting fact, or the fundamentals of this-and-that) when their listener is a woman. I understand that this may simply be done to impress, rather than be irritating, but just knowing that they wouldn't dare talk this way to a male friend or colleague is...well, irritating.

    Marjory_SB , Kindel Media Report

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    #52

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Tolerating partners who drain your energy, put you down, and don't put in effort to your relationship and/or household because you believe what you should be doing is trying to fix them or figure out how to make them behave. Relationships ARE work and conflict is bound to happen, but I see so many women doing all of the work all the time and blaming themselves when their men don't get better.

    ohdearsweetlord , Viktoria Slowikowska Viktoria Slowikowska Report

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    PandaPanda
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Both people have to work in any relationship for it to be healthy. Conflict is unavoidable, but if they decide to be mature and smart-- all good.

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    #53

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Absorbing men's dysfunction. He was abused? She'll talk him through the best therapy she can manage. He was never taught how to (normal life skill here)? She'll do it for him. He's too macho to take care of himself? She'll nag him till he does, and she better be a good sport and laugh as she's ridiculed for "being a nag".

    plotthick , Elly Fairytale Report

    #54

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up The expectation that in an office, a woman has to put 200% more work and money into her appearance than her male colleagues and sacrifice a good deal of personal comfort to a "business casual" dress code. Hair, makeup, tight pants, pencil skirts, nylons in the summer, high heels, a kit of self-care cosmetics that need to be carried in a big bag.

    And men? 20$ haircut once a month, maybe + 10$ for a beard trim. Shoes are mostly shaped like actual feet, pants are either loose or VERY stretchy, leggings territory stretchy without a tight fit. Most don't wear ties anymore.

    Starryglare , August de Richelieu Report

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    zovjraar
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the idea that a woman needs to wear makeup and jewelry, and do stuff with her hair, to be seen as a professional, is ridiculous. if a lady is wearing the exact same outfit and doesn't do any of the above, guess what, her experience and knowledge is still the same. nylons make my legs itch and flats look just as nice as heels, without the foot cramps later.

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    #55

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up The idea that men & women cannot maintain healthy, purely platonic relationships w/ eachother (cos sex will eventually come up & get in the way) + the idea that a woman must drop all her male friends or cannot maintain contact w/ them once she enters an exclusive, romantic relationship.

    thakoconubian , Helena Lopes Report

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    troufaki13
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I agree, but also women shouldn't demand from their partners to drop all female friends either. It's a two-way street.

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    #56

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Women being called "girls." Whether it is conscious or not, it implies a lack of maturity and, therefore, deserved respect. Among countless other places I have heard this, I attempted to watch a season of The Bachelor (bad decision for many reasons) and I could not stand how often the women were called "girls." I couldn't bring myself to check out The Bachelorette, but I suspect the men are never called "boys."

    merrypoppin , Sam Battaglieri Report

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    troufaki13
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I call my mom and her friends "girls" too. They seem to enjoy it. Also I call boys my brother and father so...

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    #57

    That women are the emotional ones and are naturally empathetic. Let tell you women can have just of hard of a time expressing emotions and often women build wall around their hearts to protect themselves from being hurt by the variety of media and hurtful stereotypes out there.

    InnuendoParty Report

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    fire bug
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My wife likes to tease me because I am the one that starts sobbing during a sad movie.

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    #58

    To have the husband "help" with the kids. To have him help around the house. It's his house, and his kids. This is how women's careers are destroyed. Having to be his personal assistant, maid, chef and nanny whilst also having a career to maintain some form of financial independence.

    lorr99 Report

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    TrickQuestion
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This annoys me to no end. I'm not babysitting. They're MY kids ! I'm not "helping" around the house. I'm looking after it too. Women are treated default that they're homemakers, which i suspect is a leftover stereotype from the 50s-60s idea of the "perfect house". My wife works a very demanding job. I do as much as i can around the house to make sure she has relax time if she needs it.

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    #59

    Gender norms in hetero relationships. They are so disempowering and diminishing to women, but they are accepted as normal and fine.

    cyronius Report

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    Susan Egan
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Women can change them or not accept them. It takes getting more women on board. I fix and repair things. My dad did everything in our home and if we helped he taught us. My husband did not have this experience and doesn't really like doing it. I do. Women in general are appalled or amazed that I do the things I do. They are actually more judgmental then the men I know. If we are going to change the "norms" we have to change how they are looked at by all genders.

    #60

    Constant comments about our physical appearance from a very young age. It doesn’t matter if you are attractive or not either, because once people have a negative opinion on you they NEED to let you know.

    galacticaf Report

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    Harlow
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My dad called me marmaduke yesterday. I like marmaduke but he said I don’t realize how big I am. To be fair I body-slammed him (aka I hugged him) but that’s still kinda rude

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    #61

    Society values men's time more than women's. My husband and I both technically have flexibility in our work schedules, but guess who does all the doctor appointments etc. for the kids? Me. Because God forbid a man miss work in the middle of the day, or take a day off because his kid is sick. Every time he has done it, he gets criticized by his higher-ups. Easier for me to just do it since everyone expects a mom to miss work sometimes.

    nefariousmango Report

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    N G
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The expectation is that women will absorb the hit to their career because they'll have a man to take care of them in the long run. A man's career being similarly derailed will (by the same logical extension) negatively affect his wife and family too.

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    #62

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Women feeling 'expected' to have sex and having their pleasure be secondary. I experienced this a lot when I was younger and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Like, I thought if I was kissing a guy, 'Well, now I’m expected to have sex with him because he’s turned on. I guess I have to.' And also thinking that during sex, the end goal was really mostly about him. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized how flawed it was for me to think that way, and for men to have reinforced that thinking via their actions.

    GreenMountain85 , cottonbro Report

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    #63

    Painful periods. They are NOT normal and doctors need to stop making it seem as if it is. It took until my 30's, when I had surgery for a painful ovarian cyst, before they discovered I had endometriosis (and a dead fallopian tube). She was the ONLY doctor to even suggest I could also have endometriosis and that they would look while in surgery.

    veggielovvvvvver Report

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    Lorelai Purvis
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    my mom once said she hopes when i get my period they wont be as bad as hers... spoiler alert she got her uterus taken out... so yeah...

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    #64

    I think this applies. When I was growing up, a family member had a band that would play around the area and we'd try to make it every time. I enjoyed dancing. I would dance with my cousins or family members or family friends my age. However, I was told I couldn't say no if someone asked me to dance and that it was rude. This included creepy old men. I can't tell you how many times throughout my preteens/teens I had to bear through a song with an old man pushed up against me telling me I was pretty.

    anavocadotornado Report

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    Xylle Flora
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A book I read about growing up for girls had a page where they gave a list of excuses we could use if a man wasn't taking no for an answer, like in a dance or something.

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    #65

    Harassment in certain workplaces.

    Obviously harassment in ANY workplace is vile and wrong, but my aunt once told me to except to be flirted with, hit on, and harassed if I continued to work in kitchens/restaurants. She said it was "just part of the territory" and that I needed to just "understand that that's the environment."

    Excuse me? No. I don't care what the environment is, women should have to put up with harassment in the workplace.

    landw497 Report

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    PandaPanda
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sorry, I think you mean women SHOULDN'T have to put up with harassment in the workplace. Apologies, I just saw a typo. Totally agree with you btw 🙃

    #66

    Being home alone with a baby 1-3 days after a traumatic birth experience.

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    #67

    NOT ORGASMING! Or, even if you’re ok with not orgasming sometimes, not even enjoying the sex.

    I will go to my grave screaming this, because it was me for years.

    Women’s pleasure is NOT secondary.

    pnwhorsetrainer Report

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    #68

    Getting hit on at 13 by grown men.

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    #69

    I am a huge fan of high heels and I like to wear them casually, but I don't believe that women should be "expected" to wear them if it's not their thing.

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    #70

    Giving birth. at least where i live my dad said that "even cats give birth" like it's easy, he's so obnoxious and to think my mom gave birth to SEVEN.

    pinkslh Report

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    AnimalsRuleHumansDrool
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hard for cats too, they don't have anything to help them, they usually have few babies at once, so saying that about cats is not good example. Mammals give birth, your dad is silly.

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    #71

    Treating men nicely and them thinking we're flirting.

    amaranthinee_ Report

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    #72

    Birth control! The hormones can literally turn you into another person, give you depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, and we just have to accept that 65% of women are having their lives negatively affected on a regular basis, but they have no other choice if they don't want to become pregnant.

    And the option to just "trust condoms" comes along with trusting a man, who isn't really affected all that much at the end of the day if the woman becomes pregnant.

    snapdragon6 Report

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    #73

    Taxes on period products when they are already so expensive and we can’t control it. Also, men staring for far too long when women wear skinny jeans, leggings, or other form fitting pants/clothing when out in public, always irritates me.

    h-townvb Report

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    Talon
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I agree, I only wear jeggings cause I find them comfy but my parents won’t allow me to get baggy clothes cause they want me to show off my curves

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    #74

    The fact that so many females in the same roles as males tend to make far, far less.

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    #75

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Being married and having children with men who are absent parents/house hold members and it not being a point of contention, just accepted, expected, and accommodated.

    Omniiglass , Gustavo Fring Report

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    Ozacoter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Single mothers being demonised by misoginistic men. It is heart breaking the horrible things that mgtow or incels say about them for taking care alone of their kids while they are fine with the father abandoning them.

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    #76

    The fact that our medical problems aren't seen as important as a man's. doctors tend to think we're overreacting or the issue is stress-related.

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    Emily S
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If women are sick it doesnt matter but no its the end of the world if men do .

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    #77

    Being taught to please others, plan your whole life around some abstract Future Husband you've never met and who may not even exist (and who isn't expected to plan his life around you), and never acknowledge your own needs. Just give and give and give until there's nothing left...and keep going anyway.

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    #78

    The horrendous acts of young boys towards girls with the excuse of “boys will be boys” or “he just has a crush on you!”

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    Lorelai Purvis
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "bOyS wIlL bE bOyS" "NO BOYS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE"

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    #79

    Being harassed and assaulted at such a young age, and that’s just how it is. Learn how to keep yourself safe, bc society will blame you for it, even if you are 8.

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    #80

    Not being listened to, even when asked for your direct input.

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    #81

    The burden of motherhood in general.

    blurpleboop Report

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    PandaPanda
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's hard. I don't know personally, I've never had kids, but I know. It's hard. Taking care of a living thing is no easy task, and it's is wrong to make women get the burden of it. I know there are plenty of fathers who are helping, but that does not erase so many women who are forced to work far to hard.

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    #82

    Being told to cover up in your own home because men are in the house.

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    Mary Jean Walker
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This just made a difference to me. At about age 12, I remember going out of my room, in my nightie, to look for a book to read in the bookcase in our hall. This was something I did all the time in our house, for me normal. But this night my dad had a 'friend' over doing something who went into the hallway when I was there to find something or other, saw me in my nightie, turned around abruptly and left. A minute later my dad came in and told me I had 'embarassed' his friend and to please stay in my room. I felt vaguely bad about this episode ever since, and until I just read this post. I felt I'd done the wrong thing and felt guilty. Now I realise: Somehow at 12 I was meant to understand and anticipate that adult males might feel desire on unexpectedly a 12-year-old? What rubbish. I was 12. So CowboyHank, et al, no women don't want t walk around naked necessarily. But I thought I was safe, in my home in my nighty, at 12. That was when I learnt I had to cover up, always, just in case.

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    #83

    Keeping sexual abuse/assault under the wraps so that the abuser can not be penalized. Generally within the family.

    Seethesun_4u2 Report

    #84

    Being stared at by men of all ages.

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    #85

    Expected to do everything, work full-time, cook, clean, service with a smile.

    luckystars143 Report

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    #86

    Women are over sexualized in everyday life and in media.

    filthy_kasual Report

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    Dee Tag
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, why is it okay to show breasts but not the man's private?

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    #87

    Why isn't cuddling (btwn men & women) w/o any sexual implications or strings attached not more common? Why must every action lead to sex? Why can't I just be supported as your dear friend? Why can't you respect that I do not want sex? And why do you now grudgingly & hslf-assedly giveme what I want after I tell you sex will not happen. Isn't my non-sexual company enough for you? I guess not, cos you do not actually care about me solely as a human being. You are more concerned about getting your sexual needs met while w/ me...

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    codeMonkey
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    is this something common that women do with each other? If not, why would it be common between a man and a woman?

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    #88

    The first time having sex being painful, honestly just painful sex in general.

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    Kristin Ingersoll
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's not a societal norm though. It ***IS*** a norm to expect women to just keep quiet when it hurts, and to keep doing it, no matter how much it hurts. And of course, doctors don't BELIEVE that it hurts. But the actual pain isn't society being horrible.

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    #89

    The biggest one for me is the pleasure gap. If I came in the middle of sex and mid thrust, just rolled over and went to sleep with a “good work team!” people would think that was crazy. But it’s literally what men do every single day.

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    Zophra
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ahhhh.... you need a new partner. This is too general a statement.

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    #90

    Being talked over me when I'm talking. I'm not saying women don't do this, but men interrupt me so much more and I think it's very disrespectful.

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    #91

    The expectation from men that is '' before earning the right to solve women issues, women should FIRST fix every single issues that affect men in the society they created for themselves ''

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    #92

    Having to be hyper vigilant when walking home at night. Keys in hand - between your fingers, walk quickly, music turned down so you can hear if anyone comes up behind you etc.

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    #93

    The rates of Child Sexual Abuse perpetrated against female children... 1 in 3 girls. It's likely closer to 1 in 2 but we don't have perfect numbers to go off of.

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    codeMonkey
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    while it looks like the numbers are all over the place for these statistics, an article that uses the 1 in 3 girls statistic has a 1 in 5 males suffer child sexual abuse. So granted for girls the rate is higher, but the issue is Child Sexual Abuse in general. There is no reason to just focus on the female children because it is usually people that were abused as children that continue that cycle and abuse more children when they get older. It is not 100% men that are doing the abusing, women do it too.

    #94

    That liking traditional things like sewing, cooking, organising our space, makeup etc means we want to be housewives. No, it means we have hobbies. I'm not "preparing myself" to be a stay at home mom. If men like traditional things it's seen as... Nothing more than their hobbies.

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    Sarah
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Agreed! The whole point of the women's right movement was to give women choices. I mean, wasn't it? Far too many people think that the CHOICE to be a traditional stay-at-home mom or to enjoy the traditionally "female" things in like, is somehow a step backwards. Nope. Its all about choice. And if that's your choice, enjoy it! Don't let anyone tell you its not good enough.

    #95

    Being solely responsible for contraception that f*cks with our body’s and emotions and hormones and it’s seen as completely acceptable to get a women to bleed for more than 6 months straight as a form of birth control. Basically stopping her from having sex.

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    #96

    That traveling alone is dangerous—fine if you’re a guy, but as a woman, without a man or group traveling with you, you’re in danger

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    #97

    Reducing us to labels. “Mother, wife.”

    We can’t fit into boxes or one role!

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    #98

    Second guessing our intelligence or EXCESSIVELY helping with minor and simple tasks. Some may think this is polite, but really, it makes most of us feel inferior.

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    #99

    the fact that women always want to lose weight, or are perpetually dieting because they believe they're not "thin enough."

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    Ozacoter
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or the fact that society sees as 'healthy weight' underweight women. I used to have a BMI right in the middle of the healthy area and was called fat all my youth by family and others.

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    #100

    Catcalling, having to be polite to men who make us feel uncomfortable

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    CowboyHank
    Community Member
    3 years ago

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    I have never seen a woman be polite that was being catcalled.

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    #101

    When they go for a hug when a handshake would do (and they squeeze just a little too tight).

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    Honu
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I really dislike how hugs have gotten to be a default greeting here in the US. Sometimes people do it when they barely know you. And it's awkward when friends you know well give you a hug and you're in a group with people you don't know and don't want to hug. I don't feel like pressing my body up against people, especially strangers. Handshakes are good. The European-style air kiss would work. Japanese bowing? Great! Let's do that.

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    #102

    There is NOTHING a woman can like without being made fun of (and this is especially bad for teenage girls). I remember hearing this question for the first time and I genuinely couldn’t think of something that I would be able to like without someone mocking me

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    Xandra, The Little Hufflepuff
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    my passion is theatre, and I get mocked for "being dramatic," I have big emotions okay? What's wrong with that?

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    #103

    Having to carry the emotional burdens of children more than men because we are the "sensitive" and "emotional" ones. Like please, men have just as many emotions as we do, yet women are expected to do all the emotional lifting when it comes to raising children, we are expected to handle the tantrums and soothe the crying of children.

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    #104

    Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Needing to laugh when a man tells a joke/needing to agree when a man argues

    anonymous , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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    CowboyHank
    Community Member
    3 years ago

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    Where are all these women that are agreeing with men during arguments?

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    #105

    Quite a lot of men and women expect women to handle all the housework and take care of the kids, especially if you are a stay at home mom.

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    CowboyHank
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you have arranged to be a stay at home parent, your job is running the home and taking care of the children.

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    #106

    Feeling uncomfortable wearing thinner/less clothing in front of male family members during ANY season, but especially summer

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    Dee Tag
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Family members should in no way find you sexually attractive if you are wearing a bathing suit. If they do, please stay the hell away from them as they are sick.

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    #107

    Being treated like "one of the guys" Just because you're friends doesn't mean you can say and do disgusting and degrading things in front of us.

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    zovjraar
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i don't know about this. if i'm hanging out with guys, i expect them to do guy things. not trying to be gender insensitive here, but like, stereotypical man stuff, like farting and talking about bathroom stuff and sports. and rating chicks on the 1-10 scale. they don't care if i talk about "female" stuff when they're around. that's what friends are. at least i think so.

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