I agree with most of what you said. However, this poster seems to be framing this particular issue as an example of men enforcing a double standard on women. If that’s not what they intended to convey then they should choose a different way to express their idea that better communicates the intended message.
I responded to another comment along the same lines here if you would like to see it. I would be happy to continue a civil discussion with you if you have more to add.
It seems like you’re taking from the phrase “male privilege” an accusation that this is somehow men’s fault. I think the other commenter said it perfectly well, just because a privilege is afforded to a group doesn’t mean that group is responsible for that privilege. It’s still a privilege that they have.
In your example, wearing dresses might well be considered “female privilege”, yes. I doubt you’d hear this talked about because it’s quite minor, but you’re not wrong. Another example which illustrates it well is “pretty privilege” - we all know that life is easier for attractive people. That doesn’t mean they are oppressing average or unattractive people personally. They just have advantages. Not their fault, still a privilege.
I disagree. The first tweet IS right. It is male privilege that men can wear the same outfit multiple times, and it doesn’t imply it’s enforced by men, it just states that it exist. The fact that women enforce this double standard IS male privilege even when men aren’t to blame
That wasn’t what I said. I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt tho, and try to explain it. You are somehow thinking that having a privilege in a system is the privileged’s fault, when in reality they are too a victim of the same system. Of course men aren’t at fault here in this situation, but they still have privilege in it. In this scenario that means men don’t have to worry about repeated usage of clothes the way women do, so they are in a favoured position, they are privileged. This is what it means. No one here is saying that men are the culprit of this system, rather that men don’t experience the same social pressure when it comes to clothes.
I see what you’re saying but I don’t think it truly works that way in practice. As an example, what do we call the fact that women can wear lightweight and breathable clothing (dresses / skirts / spaghetti straps) to work when it’s hot while men have to wear pants and long sleeves? Based on your description it seems like that would be called female privilege but I don’t think I’ve ever heard that phrase used in a genuine fashion before.
That, I think, is why the inference is drawn that men are being blamed for creating the situation when the word male privilege is used. It may theoretically refer to a concept that applies to both men and women but in practice you only ever hear about the situations in which men are seen to benefit. If we don’t have the other side of the conversation then it feels like that other side doesn’t exist even if it is intended to.
I agree with most of what you said. However, this poster seems to be framing this particular issue as an example of men enforcing a double standard on women. If that’s not what they intended to convey then they should choose a different way to express their idea that better communicates the intended message.
What gives you the impression they are framing it that way?
I responded to another comment along the same lines here if you would like to see it. I would be happy to continue a civil discussion with you if you have more to add.
It seems like you’re taking from the phrase “male privilege” an accusation that this is somehow men’s fault. I think the other commenter said it perfectly well, just because a privilege is afforded to a group doesn’t mean that group is responsible for that privilege. It’s still a privilege that they have.
In your example, wearing dresses might well be considered “female privilege”, yes. I doubt you’d hear this talked about because it’s quite minor, but you’re not wrong. Another example which illustrates it well is “pretty privilege” - we all know that life is easier for attractive people. That doesn’t mean they are oppressing average or unattractive people personally. They just have advantages. Not their fault, still a privilege.
I disagree. The first tweet IS right. It is male privilege that men can wear the same outfit multiple times, and it doesn’t imply it’s enforced by men, it just states that it exist. The fact that women enforce this double standard IS male privilege even when men aren’t to blame
Got it. Even when men aren’t involved in it, even when they don’t much notice, it’s still men’s fault.
Thought experiment: tell us what isn’t somehow men’s fault.
That wasn’t what I said. I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt tho, and try to explain it. You are somehow thinking that having a privilege in a system is the privileged’s fault, when in reality they are too a victim of the same system. Of course men aren’t at fault here in this situation, but they still have privilege in it. In this scenario that means men don’t have to worry about repeated usage of clothes the way women do, so they are in a favoured position, they are privileged. This is what it means. No one here is saying that men are the culprit of this system, rather that men don’t experience the same social pressure when it comes to clothes.
I see what you’re saying but I don’t think it truly works that way in practice. As an example, what do we call the fact that women can wear lightweight and breathable clothing (dresses / skirts / spaghetti straps) to work when it’s hot while men have to wear pants and long sleeves? Based on your description it seems like that would be called female privilege but I don’t think I’ve ever heard that phrase used in a genuine fashion before.
That, I think, is why the inference is drawn that men are being blamed for creating the situation when the word male privilege is used. It may theoretically refer to a concept that applies to both men and women but in practice you only ever hear about the situations in which men are seen to benefit. If we don’t have the other side of the conversation then it feels like that other side doesn’t exist even if it is intended to.