A question of sexism

[HamburgerBoy]

Some semesters ago, students were discussing tenure with the professor a bit, both ribbing each other a little. While the professor laughed, he said that it's used to protect professors from losing their jobs over a scientific disagreement with their higher-ups, not to protect them from scandals. He cited an anecdote of a professor who told one of his female students that she wasn't smart enough to accomplish anything and should drop out and find a husband to support her. The professor lost his tenure for that comment. While I can certainly see why that would be offensive, basically saying that she has no skills and is incapable of really anything, I was surprised that the comment would be perceived as sexist, and made a mental note to myself to never make such a comment should a particularly stupid female annoy me. But I guess it could be seen as forcing an antiquated and harmful view on the duty of women, so I kind of get it.

But here's my question: why doesn't the same apply to men? Are you telling me that no stupid male has ever been told he would be good for nothing more than "back work"? If limiting the female sex's lesser members to a life of child-rearing is morally intolerable, how is it any different? Men are traditionally viewed to be stronger and expected to work far harder physically, and at heightened risk to their own life. Yet I have a feeling that no one is going to lose their job for saying that Bob should have stuck with ditch digging.

 

[darkswordsman17]

You really can't tell how that's sexist?

 

[3chordcharlie]

You really can't tell how that's sexist?

He explained why it could be sexist, but suggested there was an equivalency at work which goes unrecognized.

 

[schneiderguy]

-Guy tells female to do what she's biologically designed to do
-Female gets mad and gets him fired

Woman logic, lol.

 

[LumbergTech]

You certainly have a valid point, but it doesn't lessen the evil of it. It just opens up new things to look for.

And also it would be a stronger point if a female teacher was saying this, not a man. It is a matter of a man or woman telling the other that they are not good enough to do something and should just fulfill their general role.

 

[Incorruptible]

There is definitely a double standard, women are able to get away with this while men cant

 

[her209]

Just look at the difference of reaction and punishment between a male teacher sleeping with a female student versus a female teacher sleeping with a male student.