# Women are more privileged than men (At least, in the West) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 16, 2016, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076 "2016-07-16T21:59:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076/61 "2016-07-18T18:07:30Z")
While it does happen it is extremely rare where the man can stay home while his wife works. And another is divorce. My SIL cleaned out her ex and could have even gotten more. Why? He had a better paying job and had some wealth he inherited from his family. So then of course, she got this massive settlement in her divorce equal to almost all the money she had ever made during their 10 year marriage. I have rarely ever heard of a ex husband cleaning out his wife during a divorce. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076/62 "2016-07-18T19:57:18Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Meals, no, but growing up I did encounter “Ladies first” when it was rules about who should get out of an elevator first, etc. I am totally cool with that knowing I can eat dinner in a restaurant alone and not be repeatedly hit on, or get groped in a subway, or a thousand other things. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076/63 "2016-07-18T20:12:10Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > Fire drills & other disaster preparedness are regular occurrences where I work. We’ve got no kids there–but lots of women. I’ve never heard a word about letting us go first! In case of fire evacuation, I prefer to send women first. Their high-pitched screams of pain carry farther! ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076/64 "2016-07-18T21:50:35Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > I had the impression that **Velocity** was only referring to the universal physical/logistical inconveniences of menstruation, not the cultural baggage. The fact that you think it’s possible to separate the physical logistics of menstruation from the cultural baggage is part of why your comparison is so mind-boggling. It’s not something you can just handwave. OTOH, attempting to handwave the cultural baggage of menstruation is pretty much the ur-example of male privilege. In case you were wondering. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076/65 "2016-07-18T22:04:19Z")
I find it interesting to read what transgendered men and women say about their experiences across the gender divide. Two articles: > **[Trans Men Confirm All Your Worst Fears About Sexism](https://time.com/transgender-men-sexism/)** > > Men who were once perceived as women know what it's like on both sides > **[A Study in Sexism: What Happens When Trans Women Lose Their Male Privilege](https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/news/a15510/male-privilege-transgender-people/)** > > The surprise on the other side of the transition. Conclusion: Men have professional advantages because they are more often deferred to and treated with respect; they generally don’t have to work as hard to be seen as competent. Socially, women have advantages, like not being perceived as threats to others. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2016, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076/66 "2016-07-18T22:12:58Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > Obviously we need to pay them more (funny how you’ve managed to twist an inequality against women into an inequality for women), forbid them from giving birth, and put them down at 78. Thank you for doing nothing to actually address the substance of my post which was a discussion of the economics of healthcare as it relates to gender. Women earning less than men is not really an inequality. Women pursue less lucrative careers and work less hours. If they want to work longer hours as better paying careers, then go for it. As it stands, women pay less for health care but get more care in exchange for it. There is nothing wrong with that, but women are underrepresented at both the top and bottom of society. There are fewer female politicians, CEOs, self made billionaires, etc. but there are also fewer female prisoners, homeless, uninsured, industrial and military deaths, etc. > **[Obama's 77-Cent Exaggeration - FactCheck.org](https://www.factcheck.org/2012/06/obamas-77-cent-exaggeration/)** > > A TV spot from the president’s reelection committee says women are “paid 77 cents on the dollar for doing the same work as men.” That’s not true. The ad falsely states that the pay gap is for doing “the same work.” It also implies that discrimination... > [@](#): > > Natalia Kolesnikova and Yang Liu, October 2011: Men are more likely to be lawyers, doctors and business executives, while women are more likely to be teachers, nurses and office clerks. This gender occupational segregation might be a primary factor behind the wage gap. > > Economists have identified a host of factors — other than discrimination by employers — that lead to lower earnings for women. These include such things as women choosing to work fewer overtime hours, choosing jobs that offer more “family friendly” fringe benefits in lieu of higher pay, and choosing to leave the workforce for years to rear children. Whether these choices are voluntary, or unfairly forced on women by society, is a good question. But they are not discrimination by employers. Women do have advantages and privileges over men in some areas. ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076/67 "2016-07-19T00:06:05Z")
> [@Pabitel](#): > > Multiple orgasms. And different kinds! My wife swears that stimulation in different areas produces a distinctly different type of orgasm. UNFAIR! ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076/68 "2016-07-19T00:17:52Z")
> [@Mangosteen](#): > > And different kinds! My wife swears that stimulation in different areas produces a distinctly different type of orgasm. > > UNFAIR! Thus speaketh the man who has never had a prostate massage. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076/69 "2016-07-19T13:04:16Z")
> [@Pabitel](#): > > Multiple orgasms. Nope, still ain’t switching. That is only a potential benefit. With my luck I’d end up with a klutz who couldn’t even deliver one… ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076/70 "2016-07-19T13:21:00Z")
> [@MoonMoon](#): > > Oh, trust me when I say that you do not want us to detail the physical/logistical inconveniences of menstruation, but there is no comparison. Even if you’re married, you have no idea. > > And many women shave every day as well, sorry guys. Yes, I’m having my period right now, do you want me to go into the physical and logistical inconveniences? I think not. And I’m 40, which is a vastly different kettle of fish than 16 - my period is regular and predictable. It figures the time you are most easily embarrassed is the time your period is just batcrap crazy. Also not all women can have multiple orgasms. Actually most can’t. And lots of women have never even had an orgasm (although I believe this is changing, as sex becomes more open and people stop having fainting fits everytime a woman professes to like sex). Honestly, I love being a woman, I am comfortable in my skin, and I like that my genitalia are all tucked away neatly instead of exposed for the world to see. That being said, I would rather be a man, and a white man at that. At least I would fit into the world I live in, instead of always kind of being on the fringes! Sexual harassment started for me, as for most women, around 10 years old. Some women got it even earlier. I might have but I don’t really remember. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076/71 "2016-07-19T13:22:06Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > Nope, still ain’t switching. That is only a potential benefit. With my luck I’d end up with a klutz who couldn’t even deliver one… The best thing I learned as an adult? You have to be responsible for your own orgasm. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076/72 "2016-07-19T13:44:41Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > The best thing I learned as an adult? You have to be responsible for your own orgasm. 🙂 That’s what I said to the bus driver, but he didn’t believe it. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076/73 "2016-07-19T21:21:56Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > . . . I am comfortable in my skin, and I like that my genitalia are all tucked away neatly instead of exposed for the world to see. . . . It ain’t folks seein’ my pounders that I mind so much; it’s sitting down just wrong and crushing one or both. Hee-youch! You know those old black-and-white western movies, where the cowboy leaps into the saddle? Nnnnn-fuck no. ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2016, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076/74 "2016-07-20T00:54:13Z")
Another advantage of being female: Various forms of ab exercises like leg raises where guys have their balls going from side to side and getting caught between their legs. Ouch! I’ve tried a jock, but it doesn’t help much. I watch my wife do the same exercises (naked) and she has the easiest time of it. How I would enjoy _temporarily_ removing them while doing my ab work! ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2016, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076/75 "2016-07-20T02:05:03Z")
Ever see a nude (male) jogger? Holy ow! How the hell did we survive as nekkid hunter-gatherers, chasing antelope with our danglies flapping? If I absolutely had to choose, I’d keep shoes and let the jockstrap go, but, oh, it’s not an easy choice to make! ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2016, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076/76 "2016-07-20T02:27:44Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Thank you for doing nothing to actually address the substance of my post which was a discussion of the economics of healthcare as it relates to gender. Women earning less than men is not really an inequality. Women pursue less lucrative careers and work less hours. If they want to work longer hours as better paying careers, then go for it. As it stands, women pay less for health care but get more care in exchange for it. There is nothing wrong with that, but women are underrepresented at both the top and bottom of society. There are fewer female politicians, CEOs, self made billionaires, etc. but there are also fewer female prisoners, homeless, uninsured, industrial and military deaths, etc. > > [Obama's 77-Cent Exaggeration - FactCheck.org](http://www.factcheck.org/2012/06/obamas-77-cent-exaggeration/) > > Women do have advantages and privileges over men in some areas. The point was made up thread, but you seem to have missed it: women bear children. All of them, in fact. Therefore, women will accrue higher healthcare costs AND, wait for it, have job interruptions as a result. Job interruptions that result in less time worked. This is the cost of perpetuating the species. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2016, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076/77 "2016-07-20T04:44:12Z")
> [@ddsun](#): > > The point was made up thread, but you seem to have missed it: women bear children. All of them, in fact. Therefore, women will accrue higher healthcare costs AND, wait for it, have job interruptions as a result. Job interruptions that result in less time worked. This is the cost of perpetuating the species. Big problem, though: many women who do not actually have job interruptions (or kids!) are also paying the cost in lower wages for the same job and time worked. Is it okay to punish an entire class of people for the behaviors of only a part of their class? It god damn well is NOT! ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2016, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076/78 "2016-07-20T13:00:12Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > The best thing I learned as an adult? You have to be responsible for your own orgasm. 🙂 I’m also responsible to provide my own food, but it sure is nice when someone else provides it for me! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2016, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076/79 "2016-07-20T13:29:45Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Meals, no, but growing up I did encounter “Ladies first” when it was rules about who should get out of an elevator first, etc. Well, yeah. “Hey, a woman with a cute butt! Should I turn my back on her, or get a good look?” “Be it resolved that your response shall become a general rule!” “HUZZAH!” ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2016, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076/80 "2016-07-21T03:40:28Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Big problem, though: many women who do not actually have job interruptions (or kids!) are also paying the cost in lower wages for the same job and time worked. > > Is it okay to punish an entire class of people for the behaviors of only a part of their class? It god damn well is NOT! We are not in disagreement on this point. I was trying to point out to **Wesley Clark** the glaringly obvious reason why women as a group have higher healthcare costs. This seems to really chap his hide. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-more-privileged-than-men-at-least-in-the-west/760076.md?page=5)