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We were very curious to learn about the inspiration behind the question on r/AskWomen, and the author of the thread was kind enough to tell us all about it.
"The thing that first brought up the question is a discussion I had with my partner over different experiences the opposite sex seems to be entirely unaware of," she shared.
"They were reading a post about how one man was uncomfortable with a woman applying a little makeup in an all-gendered bathroom to the point that he was avoiding that bathroom. It really showed me how out of touch a lot of people are with what most women go through on a daily basis," the OP explained to Bored Panda, adding that she also posed the same question on r/AskMen and thought that it was "a really solid comparison side by side."
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He then asked me how I could be so arrogant to assume random men would be so interested in me that they’d go to these lengths to get with me.
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Meanwhile, we were interested in getting the Reddit user's take as to why so many guys seem to have a very warped understanding of the female experience.
"I think men have plenty of misconceptions about women because unless you go through the biological changes and experience the culture around women, it’s truly impossible to understand," u/astandre1 said.
"There’s so much that goes on and there’s so much more depth behind each action and perspective than what most men assume."
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Meanwhile, the redditor shared her thoughts on what guys could do if they're feeling shy or embarrassed to learn more about women's issues.
"The easiest way for a lot of men to learn is strictly by asking. If you’re too shy to ask, then dive deeper into some posts by women and read through the comments. Do NOT rely on the info in male-dominated subreddits," Reddit user u/astandre1 suggested.
"Women are very complex creatures and one size does not fit all, but many women are very open about their experiences and they often appreciate when others try to be respectful and understanding of their experience."
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Me: “Yeah…?”
Him: “Are you leaving your purse in the car or something?”
Me: “No…I lock them so I don’t have to worry about some guy slipping into the backseat and hiding while I’m gone.”
This isn’t to say that all guys are ignorant or that only men can have these sorts of misconceptions about important but basic questions. There are plenty of well-educated, supportive men out there. And gender has nothing to do with a person’s unwillingness to educate themselves and be more empathetic.
However, this doesn’t change the fact that there are many issues that plague women in the world today. And guys getting better education about female anatomy and women’s issues could be the first step toward solving these problems. Living in a bubble of ignorance is no way to go through life.
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My jaw dropped, had to explain to him how having a cleavage doesn't give anyone the right to do or say anything and how men need to control themselves. Explaining to a fully grown man that a piece of clothing is not consent and them being surprised by that in this day and age is just freaking shocking
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The United Nations notes that one in three women will experience violence in their lifetime. However, since the Covid-19 pandemic, violence, especially domestic violence, has intensified.
“At home, survivors of domestic violence may be trapped with their abuser, with limited access to support services, healthcare and justice systems. And in public, women are at heightened risks of violence navigating deserted public spaces and transportation,” UN Women explains.
Another glaring issue is the gender pay gap. One area where it’s especially prominent is the health workforce, standing at around 28 percent. The UN points out that once occupation and working hours are accounted for, the gender pay gap is around 11 percent.
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In some parts of the world, women and girls also have less access to education and technology. Meanwhile, in many places, even working women are still expected to do the lion’s share of the housework and childcare. Not only that, they have to deal with period poverty and stigma.
“In some parts of the world, they are seen as dirty, untouchable, or a disgrace. Whether it’s a lack of money to buy pads, tampons, or other products, access to toilets, or discriminatory laws and practices, women and girls, especially the world’s poorest, are deeply impacted by their periods,” the UN explains.
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