[net.women] Omnibus Article

zben@umcp-cs.UUCP (09/26/83)

(From heterosexual white male [Generic Christian]).
 I have always considered long hair on women very attractive.  I don't
believe that only some women have the "face" for it, but would be willing
to consider counterexamples :-).  Various women have told me that long
hair is *very* hard to manage, must be washed frequently, gets in the way
at times, etc.  I wouldn't want to wish that much work on anyone.  I also
consider makeup very unattractive (at least if its obvious).
 The Miss/Mrs title probably evolved as a hint to men whether sexual
advances would be tolerated.  Sounds innocent on the surface, but actually
is odious for two reasons.  One, it implies that the only thing a woman is
good for is sex; we need to resist this attitute most strongly.  Two, it
implies that the marital status of a *man* does *not* affect his reception
to sexual overtures.  I.E. its OK for a man to cheat, but not a woman.
This is odious hypocracy and not to be tolerated.
 It's unfortunate, but the reason that women are only paid 59 cents for
every dollar paid to a man is probably related to a lack of a militant
demand for more, coupled with the ultimate sanction, the threat of 
changing jobs.  This can be explicit or implicit.  I have heard management
types say frequently: "we have to pay him more, or we will lose him".
I have been salary-surpassed by many men I have helped to train.  Of course,
they are writing CCCI systems for the military, or are slaves to someone's
airline reservation or automated bank teller systems, while I am happy to
continue working in a university environment.
 Whether by nature (can feel the flames gathering) or by cultural imposition
it seems that women are less self-confident than men and less likely to
threaten to change jobs or actually do it than men.  Now, why should an
employer pay more when he doesn't have to?  Moral righteousness?  Don't
hold your breath...
 Ben Cranston       umcp-cs!zben        zben@umd2
 Computer Science Center
 The University of Maryland
 College Park, Maryland   20740