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It's not about oppression. It's about honor. The author is a bit humiliated that these rich and educated women chose the path of least resistance and are perfec

It's not about oppression. It's about honor. The author is a bit humiliated that these rich and educated women chose the path of least resistance and are perfectly happy to lead a parasitic life. It's rather sad to discover that the group who's "liberation" you dedicated your professional life to doesn't really want to be liberated.

bruceb 11y ago
How are they leading a "parasitic life"? Their husbands were not forced to marry them.
- stefantalpalaru 11y ago
  Parasitism in general is not completely harmful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasitism#Value http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasitism#Value nor is it always forced on the host: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helminthic_therapy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helminthic_therapy In the case described in the article the males are obviously getting something out of the symbiotic relationship, but it's nowhere near what the females are getting. I'm sticking to my figurative use of "parasitism" to describe the imbalance.
  - bruceb 11y ago
    These are smart, rich, and powerful men, yet some how they are "snookered" in to the short end of the stick? Seems unlikely.
    - stefantalpalaru 11y ago
      Do you know of any other way they could procreate and provide the best environment for their children to grow in, all the while keeping a high social status and level of respectability?
      - mrrrgn 11y ago
        "procreate and provide the best environment for their children to grow in, all the while keeping a high social status and level of respectability" This is the bargain they've made. It's a rather simple exchange. "Parasitic" is a loaded term here, by applying it you're displaying that you have some sort of political axe to grind. This was also the sentiment being expressed above, when someone said that what you said sounded "judgmental" -- an accusation that you dismissed by being, or pretending to be, oblivious to it's true intent: "you're attaching pejorative terms to these women, without enough information to make a fair case for it."
        stefantalpalaru 11y ago
        > It's a rather simple exchange. It's an obviously imbalanced exchange. We don't take intestinal worms out of the parasites category just because they help us prevent autoimmune diseases. > you're attaching pejorative terms to these women, without enough information to make a fair case for it No, I'm just trying to be objective. If I wanted to insult them I could have called them prostitutes with a single, long-term client.
        mrrrgn 11y ago
        Once again, the words you choose betray antipathy towards women. Each phrase is packed with loaded words; it makes it impossible to have a legitimate discussion. Sorry for whatever experiences you've had that led to this.
        stefantalpalaru 11y ago
        It's better to refrain from attributing and condemning hidden intent and thoughtcrime. Let's stick to what's explicit when we communicate and maybe we'll avoid wasting each other's time.
- emp_zealoth 11y ago
  Forced? I'm sure some of those couples are based on love (or whatever you might want to name it), but I would not be the least surprised if most of them are trophy wives, objectified to hell and back, liable to get dumped/have money fountain dialed back when they become "obsolete" Seems quite plausible, especially in light of effective sex segregation mentioned in the article
Red_Tarsius 11y ago
> ...parasitic life That's quite judgmental. They really are rich stay-at-home moms and it's a worthy life. Feminism was not about forcing a new lifestyle. It's about giving the freedom to choose the path.
- stefantalpalaru 11y ago
  > That's quite judgmental. Good. Judging is a strong indication of thinking ;-)

bruceb 11y ago

How are they leading a "parasitic life"? Their husbands were not forced to marry them.

stefantalpalaru 11y ago
Parasitism in general is not completely harmful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasitism#Value http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasitism#Value nor is it always forced on the host: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helminthic_therapy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helminthic_therapy In the case described in the article the males are obviously getting something out of the symbiotic relationship, but it's nowhere near what the females are getting. I'm sticking to my figurative use of "parasitism" to describe the imbalance.
- bruceb 11y ago
  These are smart, rich, and powerful men, yet some how they are "snookered" in to the short end of the stick? Seems unlikely.
  - stefantalpalaru 11y ago
    Do you know of any other way they could procreate and provide the best environment for their children to grow in, all the while keeping a high social status and level of respectability?
    - mrrrgn 11y ago
      "procreate and provide the best environment for their children to grow in, all the while keeping a high social status and level of respectability" This is the bargain they've made. It's a rather simple exchange. "Parasitic" is a loaded term here, by applying it you're displaying that you have some sort of political axe to grind. This was also the sentiment being expressed above, when someone said that what you said sounded "judgmental" -- an accusation that you dismissed by being, or pretending to be, oblivious to it's true intent: "you're attaching pejorative terms to these women, without enough information to make a fair case for it."
      - stefantalpalaru 11y ago
        > It's a rather simple exchange. It's an obviously imbalanced exchange. We don't take intestinal worms out of the parasites category just because they help us prevent autoimmune diseases. > you're attaching pejorative terms to these women, without enough information to make a fair case for it No, I'm just trying to be objective. If I wanted to insult them I could have called them prostitutes with a single, long-term client.
        mrrrgn 11y ago
        Once again, the words you choose betray antipathy towards women. Each phrase is packed with loaded words; it makes it impossible to have a legitimate discussion. Sorry for whatever experiences you've had that led to this.
        stefantalpalaru 11y ago
        It's better to refrain from attributing and condemning hidden intent and thoughtcrime. Let's stick to what's explicit when we communicate and maybe we'll avoid wasting each other's time.
emp_zealoth 11y ago
Forced? I'm sure some of those couples are based on love (or whatever you might want to name it), but I would not be the least surprised if most of them are trophy wives, objectified to hell and back, liable to get dumped/have money fountain dialed back when they become "obsolete" Seems quite plausible, especially in light of effective sex segregation mentioned in the article

Red_Tarsius 11y ago

> ...parasitic life That's quite judgmental. They really are rich stay-at-home moms and it's a worthy life. Feminism was not about forcing a new lifestyle. It's about giving the freedom to choose the path.

stefantalpalaru 11y ago
> That's quite judgmental. Good. Judging is a strong indication of thinking ;-)