Whenever you bring up women's internal workings, guys want to change the subject. Unless, of course, they're trying to change the laws.
Interpretation
The quote highlights how men often avoid discussing women's issues unless it involves legislation.
Gail Collins points out a societal tendency where men's engagement with women's issues is superficial; they either shy away from deeper conversations or only show interest when it pertains to legal matters. This reflects a broader issue of gender dynamics and the often limited understanding or willingness to address women's experiences and perspectives.
In practice
During a panel discussion on gender equality, this quote can illustrate the lack of interest many men show in women's issues.
When I started giving talks about women's history, one of the things that bothered me was the tendency to say, 'Well, everybody was totally oppressed and suddenly in 1964 we rose up, got our freedom, and here we are.' It dismisses the women who fought for rights for several hundred years of our history up to that point.
For years I've been hearing 20-somethings say they don't expect Social Security to be around when they hit 65. Eventually, I came to realize that they really mean that they just don't expect to be 65. Or 40. Neither did I, when I was 22.
You hear younger women say, 'I don't believe I'm a feminist. I believe women should have equal right and I believe in fighting for the rights of other women, but I'm certainly not a feminist. No, no, not that!' It's just a word. If you called it 'Fred' would it be better?
People who bite the hand that feeds them usually lick the boot that kicks them.
LEONATO Well, niece, I hope to see you one day fitted with a husband. BEATRICE Not till God make men of some other metal than earth. Would it not grieve a woman to be overmastered with a pierce of valiant dust? to make an account of her life to a clod of wayward marl? No, uncle, I'll none: Adam's sons are my brethren; and, truly, I hold it a sin to match in my kindred.
There are different ways that kids who are gay take on the rejection and alienation they feel. The way I dealt with it was to say, 'You know what? You're imposing judgments on me and condemnations, but I don't accept them. I'm going to instead turn the light on you and see what your flaws are and impose the same judgmental standards on you.'
When I'm getting to know someone, I look for someone who has passions that I respect, like his career. Someone who loves what he does is really attractive.
Living under the perpetual and pervasive threat of racism seems, for black men and black women, to quite literally reduce lifespans.
I never meant to be a sexual object for anyone but my husband. I never thought a picture of my body would be tacked up in menβs bathrooms. I hate men looking at me and thinking what they think. And I know what they think. They write and tell me.
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