Gender Stereotypes

Stereotypes abound in our society, in particular those that separate men from women. As girls and boys grow older and leave childhood, they enter into a new, more mature stratum of society, independent from the innocence of youth. This stratum revolves around not only more mature but also more universal topics such as material possessions, fiscal success, relationships, and sex. Perhaps the most universal theme is the relationship between a man and a woman (second in today’s society would come same-sex relationships) and all of the conflicts that can emerge in said relationships. A common conflict in all types of relationships is often lack-of-communication. In our age of technology, people will look for solutions to their problems on the internet, queries bringing up results such as “The Five Things She Wishes You Knew” may hold the answers to their pleas.
This article, a blog post written by a man to help other men, lists “the things that women wish men understood but will rarely tell you”. These five points are listed in a clear and concise way, numbered and then explained. The first point that the author Neil Strauss makes seems completely valid (from a whimsical romantic’s perspective). He points out that “women want to be emotionally swept away, not just impressed”. You can’t get much closer to the idyllic vision many women have in their heads of a Prince Charming than a man who can sweep her off her feet. The article underlines the validity of this stereotype but doesn’t provide advice as to how the men can do this. Another piece of the author’s advice is short, sweet, and to the point. He advises: “She expects you to respect her and you better respect yourself first”. The recognition that “mutual respect is key in any successful relationship” is wonderful advice- the problem is making sure that this is incorporated in your relationship.
Neil Strauss, though insightful and correct with most of his advice, is leading his blog-followers in the wrong direction with how to respond do a woman in the mood to argue. The third point can provoke much dissent and is one that most women would be up in arms about. I, personally, am because I completely disagree with it. The author, Neil Strauss, claims that men should learn not to “argue, it’s pointless. Often [the woman] doesn’t even know why she’s feeling emotional”. This point labels all women as melodramatic and not in control of their emotions and even borders on calling women not intelligent enough to understand their own emotions. On this point, the author is incorrect and potentially misleading. His third point can effectively be taken as advice to just dismiss a woman’s anger as irrationality.
Hopefully, most of the time that a woman starts a fight it’s for a valid reason and the woman won’t merely want her man to “Sit with her, let her know she is not alone and that you will keep her safe”. This patronizing response to anger will only incite a worse renewal of arguing. The author must have learned to take the easy way out by dismissing women’s ‘illogical’ arguments as fits of scared, senseless emotion. His assumption that logic holds no weight in a woman’s mind is completely ungrounded and incorrect. But what do I know? I’m just a woman- I might just be overcome and blinded by emotion.

Works Cited:
Strauss, Neil. "The Five Things She Wishes You Knew." Weblog post. Find Your
Perfect Partner Online. 10 Feb. 2009. 25 Feb. 2009
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