to believe Santa Claus is a standard bearer for the patriarchy

[derxa]

DS's friend a twenty something male) is an elf at Christmas grotto. There are other elves one of whom is an older woman. Santa didn't turn up one day so DS's friend had to be padded up to play Santa. Why not the woman elf? Also DS's friend has been made chief elf over her and she is furious.

Not seen any elves this year yet so dunno if they are sexy or not

Why is Santa a man?

Most saints and indeed non-saintly people called Nicholas are.

The clue is in the name!

It was meant to be funny but you still have to ask why Santa is a man.

Because of patriarchy. There are actually mythologies according to which a woman brings presents - I think Italy might have one - and there are lots of female mythological beings who could have applied for the job. Like Frau Holle, whose duty it is to make it snow.

Red and white are also traditional female colours, as in Snow White. (Black also belongs with them, but is not part of the Santa colour scheme)

Santa has nothing to do with St. Nicholas at this point in time. The saint was never associated with elves. Or reindeer. And if I recall correctly, his main gift-giving good deed was to give money to young girls so that they wouldn't end up in prostitution.

Its all got a bit muddled up over the centuties really

Could you imagine explaining that's one to the kids?

"Mummy? Why has Father Christmas got a lady's voice?"

"Ummmmmmmm........."

So a new male hire is being put in charge of a female with years of experience in the job , altho the only additional qualification he has is a penis.

Maybe he is a better elf perhaps she isnt very good with the children she is working with a miserable elf isnt much fun,

How do you know the only extra qualification he has is a penis? Perhaps he's better with kids/more punctual/willing to be paid less if promoted to Santa/.....

X post MrsJayy!!

Just because the woman has been an elf every year for a few years doesnt mean she is better at her job its 4 weeks a year

Well DS says his friend loves being an elf and is well suited to it.

yes, are you Elf Woman?

Er, because Santa IS a Man. Blimey, some parts just do have to be played by the right Gender. Would you expect to go to see Snow White and for the part to have been given to a bloke? No. There is nothing wrong with men being men and women being women. Celebrate the differences.

miserable elf woman

How does DS know how good friend is at being an elf? How much observation has he done? (Too much would be creepy).
On what criteria does he base this judgement?

You're a Santa's Male Exlusionary Radical Feminist? A SMERF?

We had a female Santa at one of my nurseries once. Confused a few children but they seemed willing to overlook it so long as they got presents.

oh gosh
Santa is a man, he always has been.....I bet op wants Mary to be played by a boy

MrsJayy: Because St Nick was a man and he is father christmas well thats who it stems from

Actually, St Nicholas/Santa Claus has a completely different origin to Father Christmas, who originated in England as an Early Modern anthropomorphic personification of Christmas.

We all know Father Christmas does the delivering and Mrs Christmas is at home helping the elves!

Worra re 11.11 comment, you're truly an optimist!

Could you imagine explaining that's one to the kids? "Mummy? Why has Father Christmas got a lady's voice?"

Actually, my parents hired people to come to our house and play St. Nicholas when I was a kid.

One year, St Nicholas was a woman, with a beard glued on. I did not ask "Mummy, why has St. Nicholas got a lady's voice", for the same reasons I didn't ask "Mummy, why does St. Nicholas look so different from how he looked last year?" or "Mummy, how does St. Nicholas manage to bring presents to ALL the children in the world on ONE day"

It would have ruined the illusion. I was well aware that it was an illusion. I would have complained if St. Nicholas had suddenly apparead without the bishop's apparel but with Father Christmas outfit. That would have ruined it for me.
A female voice? No problem at all.

Children don't ask why Father Christmas has a young man's voice despite wearing white hair and beard, do they? Children with grandfathers are likely aware that, at a certain age, men's voices show their age.

Children are way more perceptive than many mumsnetters give them credit for.