Paul, no one's saying that there's a secret society of Men Who Consider Themselves Owners of Wives and Children running around the earth. Although there might be such an organization. Who knows. Stranger groups have existed. I read an article at some point over the last few years about African-Americans who choose to change their last names because their legal last names were those of their forefather's/mother's masters during slavery. There's no suggestion there that those people are actually still owned by some white cowboy-hat-wearing plantation owner in some distant state. It's just that the history and the implications of the name still leave a sour taste in some folks' mouth. People inherently want their own identities. Same thing here, I think. Some people choose to ignore the implications, and some people truly don't care. Both of those attitudes are fine. Some of us, though, still have a problem with the leftover traditions. It's the same reason why I'm against the tradition that the bride's parents should pay for the wedding. Goes back to the whole dowry thing. "Thanks for taking my daughter off our hands. Have some sheep and some tacky wedding favors." I think the problem is that men feel personally threatened by women who hold this attitude. What they need to realize is that, at least for a lot of us, it has very little to do with any ill will towards men today. Just a little social mouthwash to rid our mouths of that sour taste. But I still love you, Paully, even if you are a part of that evil, penis-wielding gender. *giggle* Just kidding.
posted by Kate at 10:00 AM link/comments
