Men and washing machines

[motherinferior]

Just out of interest, can anyone tell me of a sole heterosexual male who can do the washing properly - the full thing, you know, sorting different colours/temperatures rather than bunging everything in at 60 degrees; putting in suitable loads (and taking the prevous load away and putting the clothes in the right places rather than leaving everything on the racks or lines, or at the very best piled up chaotically on the bed); taking it out and hanging it up; and finally putting this lot away too?

And if so, can I have him stuffed and put in a museum?????????

Dinosaur - Good point!

Also, he'll only assume that you were drinking to impress your DH... or keep up with him.

Yes, it's true, apparently women are THAT desperate to be equal! lol

I love that word "equality" - it's thrown around as if it's a reality! As if! A goof friend of mine was recently turned down by an employer for a youthwork position because at 30 (quote: "at your age" and unmarried she wouldn't have the respect of the parents.

The job was given to (on their admission) the poorer candidate because she was due to marry in a few months and was therefore more likely to be responsible and respected.

I do not believe for one moment, that a single male would have been treated in such an appalling derogatory way. As so many people have posted, we are living in a time of "catch up", as so many people of colour are too.

NB: I'm not comparing racism to sexism in terms of severity of treatment. I just think that a time of positive discrimination is inevitable before equality is (ever?) achieved. Not ideal, but reality nonetheless.

gooD friend

Dadslib Let me see if I understand you here. Are you really saying that women going out to work has forced mens wages down???? Wow, I thought I'd heard every possible excuse but that one really takes the biscuit. And even if it has, well the best answer I have to that one is "diddums".

Not all women want to live in your fantasy 50's world. I, for one, prefer to go out to work, it keeps my brain active and makes me feel like an active member of society. Or do you believe that all women want to stay at home and look after the children, in which case you are guilty of the worst sort of sexist sterotyping.

The great advance that feminism has brought, in my experience, has been the ability of women to now earn a living wage (even if it is only 70% of men's). This brings benefits for both men and women. In my case that means DH can be a stay at home daddy, an option that wouldn't have been open to him in your fantasy 50's world.

The lifestyle that you dream of was founded on unfair wages for women and minorities.

Now, before you all jump on me, I'm not saying that staying at home with the children is mind numbing to everyone, just to me. I would have slid into depression fairly fast if I was forced to stay at home any longer. As for DH, he was very depressed staying at work, full time childcare has been the best thing that happened to him (apart from myself and the sluglet of course )

And before I finish my rant and get back to work, why is it such a tradgedy for women that they now share household and childcare? It's a positive advantage as far as I can see.

Currently only 18% of MPs are women, so 82% are male, I'd say that was pretty 'tiny' when it comes to representation.

Bravo Ladies BRRRRAVOOO!

I like it. Slug - Fantastic post. I agree - my PND would've been 100 times worse had I not returned to work and started to feel like a human being again!

Bobsmum - That is totally bang out of order! If only interviews were taped.

Dadslib - Bless, Perhaps you mean well (oh sorry did that sound patronising?) but really it just came across as lots of excuses and a "poor meee" attitude. And definitely getting the vibe that you are feeling a tad inadequate. Well the good thing about women working and wanting to work is that they expect MUCH less from their partners.... so chill.

What field of engineering do you work in?

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Dadslib: in 2001 the proportion of women in Parliament was 17.9%...so perhaps 'small' would be more accurate than 'tiny', but I don't think it alters my argument! And you MUST be an imposter wind-up merchant to have thrown in that 'feminists all over' comment, so I won't make any flip rejoinders about women's inability to judge size due to years of being told that 6" measures a foot....
No, you didn't specifically mention house prices, but I don't think that alters my point either, it's a quality of life:income ratio....which you tell thru your 'women in the workplace lower wages' story.
Er, where was I when someone, anyone, said ALL women want to do DIY, work away from the home etc? That has never been a feminist manifesto, perhaps you're believing in some kind of cartoon feminist beloved of the right wing press? We Mums are far more sensible...

"How many mothers does it take to change a lightbulb?
"Don't worry darling, I can do it by myself, you go out and enjoy yourselves...."

I'd also like to pick up your point that 'not all women want an equal say in finance'. Er...which ones don't? Economic independence, and/or an equal say over what money comes into a household, is a very hard-won right for women.

I don't think anyone has mentioned single women, either. If there hadn't been some move towards equality for women, people like my 50-something single, childless friend would be condemned to living with her parents instead of having her own house, car, foreign holidays and so on. It isn't that long since such moneyless women had to seek lowly positions as servants or governesses!!

have a look here to see what the Germans are offerign their men!

That really is pathetic. If people need that much instruction I'd use the immortal lyrics of Bob Dylan, 'It's a wonder we can even feed ourselves'.

I am sure men sould not wear dirty clothes if all women gave up washing for a month...

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