Ladies and...gentlemen???

So, the topic that prompted me to finally create this blog. What is up with the battle of the sexes lately? Why are we so concentrated on gender? And limiting the rights of women? And blaming rape on women and not the men who rape them?!

I have never met a rape victim that was like, "yeah, I totally wanted to be raped." NO! That's what rape is, FORCED SEX WITH AN UNWILLING PERSON!! I mean, it just sickens me that people think that women who dress "slutty" deserve to be raped. Why is the current thinking "teach girls to be ladies and dress properly" and not "teach boys to be gentlemen and not treat women like shit." Why is it the fault of the victim. It's like saying that people who are murdered are at fault for the person who pulled the trigger. it's absurd and totally ridiculous.

Recently, the morning show changed on my local radio station. Now I listen to the Elvis Durand Show every morning on my way into work. A couple weeks ago there was a story about a school in New York (I think) that was trying to make the female students take a "no swearing" oath in order to be more ladylike. The male students were not required to take the oath. Why should the boys not be taught to be more like gentlemen? Why are we trying to force women back?

I understand the separation of gender spheres to a point. It's important in child development to have two parents. To have a male and a female role model (these don't have to be the parents...) I am firmly of the opinion that with the exception of reproduction, men and women can do everything that the other gender can. I work in a male dominated field and am doubted by men daily. Simply because I am a woman. Hell, I'm doubted by women too! That's more insulting to me! Anyway, off topic.

Rape is a crime. Criminals don't deserve (much) sympathy for the crime they commit. The victim deserves some sympathy. Not blame! Do we blame someone who gets hit by a drunk driver for getting hit? No, we blame the drunk person. Why then do we blame women who are raped? Why, why why??? I really am saddened by this.

Birth control is another gender issue that bugs the crap out of me. If we want teen pregnancy to go down and want people to be more responsible about reproducing, perhaps methods of birth control that are more reliable than condoms should be made readily available. I really feel that at the very least, birth control pills should be FREE for every woman who wants to take them! Just because a woman takes birth control doesn't make her a slut. I have taken birth control for 7 and a half years and have been with one man my whole life. Not the definition of a slut.

Insurance companies will cover vasectomies but not birth control. Sexist? yes. The medical profession is a huge problem in our country. If people went into medicine because they truly wanted to help people and not because of the money, we wouldn't have nearly the amount of problems we do. No one will do anything to help people medically unless they are getting paid! it's awful! and the insurance companies are just as bad. if not worse.

*Sigh* these things have been on my mind since before the election and the dumb politicians who think that rape-induced pregnancies can just be automatically terminated by the body. God, I'm ashamed to admit that Todd Akin was up for election in the state I live in!

I know that some of you will disagree...but I don't really care! :)