But our “revulsion to bodily fluids” is culturally constructed in the same way that our view of women’s breasts as “shameful” is. I do think that it can be an element in how people react to breastfeeding, but there’s no reason to beleive it’s the *only* element - especially because our culture’s desire to control…

But why is your first reaction to tone-police the mom? If I were told that my normal bodily functions were unacceptable, I would probably be defensive and reply in a heated (“hysterical”?) way. I think the mom is allowed to express her feelings however she wants, especially in response to the employee’s unjust and…

Are you *really* so afraid that all these women are going to come after you screaming “rape”? I’d say you’re in a pretty good position even if they do. Look at Brock Turner. He actually *did* rape someone, and he still just got a slap on the wrist!

Welcome to the club! Many women are scared to even try to have sex with any man at any time for any reason, because, you know, the man might rape or kill them.

What a snooty comment! Do you really think you can draw conclusions about the experiences of women in the North and South based on one photo? I’ve lived in the South, the Northeast, and now on the West coast, and pockets of each have different levels of rattiness and swankiness. Now the political climate, which this…

I did read that part of the article, but, you’re right, I did not pay special attention to the fact that they also studied hiring practices.

Right, but you shared your hiring experience *in response* to an article which is not about hiring employees, but about the penalties that minority groups face when they speak up about diversity issues. The fact that you would pass over the resume of a person that has lots of red flags has nothing to do with what…

What you wrote makes sense, but I think that there is a huge gradient between “assholes that will sue anyone for anything they can” and a female employee who speaks up about gender-based pay inequality. It seems like a poor hiring practice to lump in anyone who addresses diversity issues at all with a few outliers who…

This happened at my middle school, as well. We had sex-ed assemblies in two consecutive years, and they never taught the girls about male anatomy/experiences. I assume that the reverse was true as well. This was public school, in Florida, lol.

“The stories largely tell women what we already know about abortion; that the decision is, more often than not, born of practical matters.”

I understand that point of view, but I disagree. I feel like the line “worn by women who hate themselves” is a (snarky) comment on the style first, and a jab on those who wear it, second. I suppose it’s not a kind statement, but I guess I’m willing to allow some meaness if it colorfully describes what I hate about a…

I’m totally with you on everything you said about Land’s End, and I have no problem criticizing the style of other women, or of men, for that matter. I also am delighted when I see someone dressing, wearing makeup, etc in a way I find to be stylish. “The sisterhood” does not require us all to be in agreement on…

Interesting! Thanks for your reply. I’ve had this happen with two gynos (one at Planned Parenthood, oddly) but I think that they may have been reacting to my anxiety about the issue, or something. And it makes total sense that the Accutane stuff would be legally-driven. I still remember that the pill packs for that…

I’m curious- I don’t know if you, or anyone can answer this, but why are providers reluctant to recommend a highly effective method (like the pill) plus a barrier method? I’m very determined not to get pregnant, but anytime I’ve brought this up with a gynecologist, they’ve brushed off my concerns and emphasized that…

I find the language we use to discuss pregnancy creepily passive. “I *got* pregnant” or worse “Our last was a surprise!” I know that some of this reflects our ambivalence about having kids, which is real, but I worry that it fits into a larger pattern of not seeing women’s health, work, or agency as important. It’s…