Yesterday, I went on ezinearticles.com and clicked on the category “Women’s Interests” to see if I could find a quality article to share with you. What I found was nothing worth sharing, but in fact, aggravating.
As a woman, I would imagine the topics under this category would be anything from careers to family, sports to fashion, and fitness to food. I thought I’d see a laundry list of fascinating and timely subject areas to explore.
Instead, I found this:
- Menopause/HRT
- Beauty Products
- Plus Size
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Self Defense
That’s it?! Except for the first topic—which I think is a valid one–what the fuck?!
Excuse my French, but seriously, this kind of thing drives me crazy. How about a section on health and wellness? Where are the articles about women entrepreneurs and athletes? I wouldn’t have even minded something more traditional, like parenting. But seriously, who came up with this list?
In the 21st century, the woefully outdated category of “women’s interests” should be put to rest. Who gets to say what my interests are on any given day? Certainly not this website.
If you think I’ve gone off the deep end, visit a magazine rack at Barnes & Noble. Notice the separate sections for men’s and women’s interests. I ask you to consider why they do this. Are women not interested in video games and DIY projects? Must we segregate the so-called interests of the different sexes?
There is a missed opportunity here to discuss and educate the next generation about women’s issues such as equal pay, the right to choose, and the lack of female representation in the corporate boardroom and in political leadership. This article in Politico addresses more women’s issues to conquer besides cosmetic surgery.
With 40 percent of U.S. businesses owned by women and presidential candidates talking about winning the “women’s vote,” let’s start treating women as human beings with their own experiences, interests and opinions.
Thank you. 🙂
End rant
Karen
January 30, 2020 at 12:05 am (4 years ago)For as far as we have come in the last 100+ years, we still have so far to go. I am so damn tired of the world being tailored to men in every area and we’re just expected to go along. Even medical testing is geared to men’s bodies. Women are excluded from many clinical trials because hormonal fluctuations might skew results. Results should be measured for what hormonal fluctuations do to them. That’s just one small area where we have to fit the male model. It’s a fight we shouldn’t have to still fight in 2020.
vidya
January 29, 2020 at 8:04 pm (4 years ago)oh, i think i recall that too from a few years ago when i visited it first.. and Alice’s point is so true too.. things are different for women and should be written about, treated differently.. made me think as well
Alice Gerard
January 29, 2020 at 6:20 pm (4 years ago)I’d like to see more information about women’s health issues, which aren’t the same as men’s health issues. For example, women experience different symptoms than men do when having a heart attack, and not being aware of those symptoms could have fatal results. Another issue would be disabilities, such as autism. Once again, different symptoms that are not recognized, which is why girls are less frequently diagnosed with autism than boys. All in all, interesting blog post that made me think.
Lily Leung
January 29, 2020 at 5:13 pm (4 years ago)To confess, I was a reader of Helen Gurley Brown’s Cosmopolitan magazine for many years. I seldom visit magazine racks now a days. There’s a wealth of health and wellness sites online as well as diy projects for men and women, aren’t there? YouTube is good for that.
Anne
January 29, 2020 at 4:06 pm (4 years ago)Right ON! I also saw a stat that said less than 4% of all sports advertising had ANY females in the ads. Serena and that’s about it! We need to vote to make changes!