4u2spoil
Posts: 211
Joined: 5/1/2005 Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: PeonForHer It's just the way things are. . . . . The norm . . . . Oh no, 4u, an even more slippery slope of reasoning! That line has been used to justify males' oppression of women for centuries - it's the enemy of all social change! (How many 'vanilla' GFs who wanted to be topped have told me I just should be dominant in bed because that was the norm for men and women in bed. *Growl*. No, I don't want or expect sympathy - just airing an old gripe.) There may have been a better way to phrase it, but I don't think I've suggested that it's right for everyone. But Sea was asking for an explanation of why women weren't seen as cheap for not having the inclination to pay for guys they like, and well, I just can't think of a better explanation. I don't think it has to be the norm in every situation, and there are many couples who I'm sure get along fine on the thinking that each person should contribute equally in all areas, or even that the female should be the one to do the spoiling. If that's what they like, I love it. But the reality is that some countries go so far as to banning women from work because they believe the man should provide for her financially. I certainly don't agree with that, and wouldn't be comfortable having my needs depend on a man, but for now the norm is what it is. The norm is that a man who's committed to or loves a woman provides for her financially. It may be providing frivolous things, it may be providing an entire life (50s style). I know my preferences, but I'm also aware that the societal norm is that men are the dominant ones sexually. Now, I admit it wouldn't feel good if someone thought I was a shrew because I like to dominate, but I know what societal norms are. I wouldn't agree with them, but there's no lack of understanding as to why I might be viewed a certain way. I don't think I'm a demanding gold digger because I like to be spoiled, but I understand why someone could view me that way. quote:
I said above that I wouldn't want to admit to being that sort of man. (Actually, the 'gift' bit doesn't bother me - it's the 'resources' bit that does.) The truth is that I'd find dealing with a woman like that - one who's much richer than me, and wants to show it, constantly - downright awkward. It's happened before, in fact. So does my awkwardness make me a gentleman, or does it make me a sexist? Supposing you were to meet a man you really fell for - but he were to balk at forming a relationship with you because you were markedly better off than he was? Again, societal norms. It's a little easier to be topped sexually because it's generally in private. When there's an imbalance that shows up in daily life, it can be harder. Especially for men, because well, they're supposed to be financially superior (generalizing here, not stating as fact for all relationships), even if they like to submit in other areas. If I were used to providing for myself at a certain level, I wouldn't change that. I don't even think it takes being significantly better off. I went out with a guy who's currently unemployed (in the country I'm in, that definitely doesn't equal broke, but still). I paid for drinks at a trendy bar (about 30 Euro) and started picking up small gifts or expenses and that's when I stopped hearing from him. Who knows, I could've developed bad breath or a wart in that same time period, but I do know that when he was paying I got much more attention. If I really fell for a guy and he didn't want to form a relationship because my finances were better, I'd probably be disappointed, but not surprised.
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