Aa
Are women in relationships better off than in the 1970's?
So I found this really well-done video on CNN. A walk down memory lane for women of a certain age. ;D
On the **** Cavett show, there is a clip of Hugh Hefner and some "women's libbers" that looks straight out of a Partridge Family episode, frankly, and very cliche. I love **** Cavett.
So this got me to thinking. As sexist as the ads were, and as clueless as Hugh Hefner was, really, were women better off in relationships in the 1970's than now? I ask this, because on this forum in the pregnancy webpages, and on this relationships forum, I'm so disheartened by how many women do all the work in the home, and pay all the bills while the men basically sit around and play video games and say rude things. Or they aren't even in the home, they get several women pregnant and demand that the babies be named after them although they have zero intention of participating in either providing money, or any kind of parenting.
There weren't many men who acted like that in the 70's, and those that did act like that couldn't find sex partners.
So there's the question. As funny as this grouping of commercials/interview is, and as dismissive as the men appear, were they really all that truly dismissive?
http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/22/living/seventies-sexist-ads/index.html
On the **** Cavett show, there is a clip of Hugh Hefner and some "women's libbers" that looks straight out of a Partridge Family episode, frankly, and very cliche. I love **** Cavett.
So this got me to thinking. As sexist as the ads were, and as clueless as Hugh Hefner was, really, were women better off in relationships in the 1970's than now? I ask this, because on this forum in the pregnancy webpages, and on this relationships forum, I'm so disheartened by how many women do all the work in the home, and pay all the bills while the men basically sit around and play video games and say rude things. Or they aren't even in the home, they get several women pregnant and demand that the babies be named after them although they have zero intention of participating in either providing money, or any kind of parenting.
There weren't many men who acted like that in the 70's, and those that did act like that couldn't find sex partners.
So there's the question. As funny as this grouping of commercials/interview is, and as dismissive as the men appear, were they really all that truly dismissive?
http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/22/living/seventies-sexist-ads/index.html
RR, I'm with you on the teen pregnancy thing. It's heartbreaking to see how many young girls here are getting into these situations with such uncaring and disinterested boys. But I think it's not necessarily representative of the whole of humanity. Because, just like with any message board situation, people who are happy and aren't having these types of problems are not likely to go seeking others in similar situations with whom to commiserate. Because all of the happy folks are out living their lives and doing their thing. Whereas here and on other message boards is where people with problems end up. I'm not a statistician and in fact I hate all forms of math, but I know this isn't what you could call an accurate sample size to determine whether things are better or worse.
I think Ella makes a good point that there is more awareness now and sensitivity nowadays, particularly as it relates to family violence which used to be swept under the rug in years past. From that regard, things have improved allowing women more avenues in which to feel empowered to leave abusive situations without being made to feel like a leper.
On the other hand, it's true that traditional families which espouse the traditional family dynamic are not as celebrated now as they used to be and in fact are almost being made to feel like they're weird for being old fashioned.
Great topic, RR. :)
I think Ella makes a good point that there is more awareness now and sensitivity nowadays, particularly as it relates to family violence which used to be swept under the rug in years past. From that regard, things have improved allowing women more avenues in which to feel empowered to leave abusive situations without being made to feel like a leper.
On the other hand, it's true that traditional families which espouse the traditional family dynamic are not as celebrated now as they used to be and in fact are almost being made to feel like they're weird for being old fashioned.
Great topic, RR. :)
The divorce rate might have dropped because the marriage rate has dropped. I'm not sure.
I can't tell how old you are from your profile, but I came of age in the 70's.
And I have to say, the poverty rate for single women and children isn't what it is today. There were FEW kids on reduced meals at school - almost all parents took care of their kids, financially and otherwise.
And I do realize, thankfully, teen pregnancy rates are down. In the 90's I worked with pregnant teens in Austin, at that time the teen pregnancy capital of the US. Thank GOD that's now changed.
I am still extremely concerned with pregnant women who have no way to support themselves, and still purposely become pregnant.
And that's something that NEVER happened in the 70's. Girls accidentally got pregnant, that does happen, but there was NO ONE who purposely got pregnant without a husband. We all read cautionary tales in high school - "Mr and Mrs BoJo Jones", "My darling my hamburger" and other frightening stories about girls who got pregnant.
I can't tell how old you are from your profile, but I came of age in the 70's.
And I have to say, the poverty rate for single women and children isn't what it is today. There were FEW kids on reduced meals at school - almost all parents took care of their kids, financially and otherwise.
And I do realize, thankfully, teen pregnancy rates are down. In the 90's I worked with pregnant teens in Austin, at that time the teen pregnancy capital of the US. Thank GOD that's now changed.
I am still extremely concerned with pregnant women who have no way to support themselves, and still purposely become pregnant.
And that's something that NEVER happened in the 70's. Girls accidentally got pregnant, that does happen, but there was NO ONE who purposely got pregnant without a husband. We all read cautionary tales in high school - "Mr and Mrs BoJo Jones", "My darling my hamburger" and other frightening stories about girls who got pregnant.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Good question rockrose, thanks for posting it!! And the censures are funny for sure!
COMMUNITY LEADER
I have a very old fashioned set up for my relationship. I liked many things about the traditional role between men and women of yesteryear and would say my relationship more closely resembles that than what I see a lot of 'modern' day couples doing. Women exhausted form working full time, kids in daycare, etc. That's a lifestyle choice and I understand it. Not knocking it. but if you ask me, I like the values of the 70's better.
And if the divorce rate has gone down, it's because fewer people bother to get married these days. Single motherhood is rampant. Baby daddy's are common place.
And if the divorce rate has gone down, it's because fewer people bother to get married these days. Single motherhood is rampant. Baby daddy's are common place.
In the 70's there wasn't such a thing as marital rape. Domestic violence issues were not taken seriously and sexual harassment wasn't an offense. Sexual discrimination was rampant at universities and work places. So....yeah, I'd choose this decade over the 70's in a heartbeat.
There wasn't even the groundwork laid to deal with your abusive partner. Many women stayed in bad marriages because of social and economic reasons.
I would like to point out that this is an international site, people from all over post on here so thereare a lot of cultural norms to be accounted for.
The divorce rate has actually dropped in the us among educated middle class families. Teen pregnancy rates are down too. Women being educated and independent is a large reason for both. More middle class husbands help with chores and child rearing but those healthy well adjusted people have no reason to post on this site.
Yes there are problems to be fixed. Problems caused mainly by poverty and lack of up ward mobility. Sexism adverts sick but it's only one spoke on the wheel.
There wasn't even the groundwork laid to deal with your abusive partner. Many women stayed in bad marriages because of social and economic reasons.
I would like to point out that this is an international site, people from all over post on here so thereare a lot of cultural norms to be accounted for.
The divorce rate has actually dropped in the us among educated middle class families. Teen pregnancy rates are down too. Women being educated and independent is a large reason for both. More middle class husbands help with chores and child rearing but those healthy well adjusted people have no reason to post on this site.
Yes there are problems to be fixed. Problems caused mainly by poverty and lack of up ward mobility. Sexism adverts sick but it's only one spoke on the wheel.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Relationships Community
How do you keep things safer between the sheets? We explore your options.
Can HIV be transmitted through this sexual activity? Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia answers this commonly-asked question.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
