Brooke

My relatives are very reactionary to me "being" a woman. I have in the past taken this as alot fo teasing, but now that I am away from home most of the year I realize that alot of men don't go in for excessive teasing. A bit is natural, but constantly picking at a woman for being an emotional creature - having PMS - having attitude, - having moments of fragility and uncertiantly - and moments of drive and creation - this is what I tend to expirence. Now some of them are teenage boys and need to be ignored, but it comes from the elder male relatives as well, and is quite taxing on my psyche now that I step back and look at it. I dread going home for Christmas on certian levels.

Has anyone had expirence with this? at what level does it become Misogyny?

__________________
And so its over
Your fantasy life is finally at an end
And the world above is still a brutal place
And the story will start again

Livia Regina

I'd say that your brother's telling you that you should be treated differently because you are different sexes counts.

__________________
Rule 37: There is no 'overkill.' There is only 'open fire' and 'I need to reload.'

Grancey

Some men have an inferiority complex when it comes to relationships with women, and this teasing is one way that they deal with it.

__________________
Quiet, mild-mannered souls might just turn out to be roaring lions of two-fisted cool.

maleficent

Ya know, I wouldn't ignore the behavior from the teenage boys. Those teenage boys become men... eventually... one would hope.... if that attitude isn't corrected now, then when does it get corrected?

What I am going to tell you, you are going to tell me is really easy for me to say, but it did work with someone I know consider a very good friend. When someone says something to you that is hurtful, or meanspirited, or in anyway degrades you as a person and as a woman, challenge them on it. don't be a bitch about it and get in their face, but don't ignore it either. Ask them to explain themselves and what they meant by that statement. You will probably find taht tehy stammer and stumble over their words and really won't be able to give you an explaination. They do stop eventually.

But the point is, you don't need to tolerate being made to feel inferior for your gender, ignoring the problem doesn't make it go away, it only makes it worse. I'm sure the other ladies in your family would also appreciate your stance.

/me walks away humming that moldy oldie by Helen Reddy ...


I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an' pretend
'cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again

Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong
I am invincible
I am woman

You can bend but never break me
'cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul

I am woman watch me grow
See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin' arms across the land
But I'm still an embryo
With a long long way to go
Until I make my brother understand

Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to I can face anything
I am strong
I am invincible
I am woman
Oh, I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong

__________________