"I support the family financially, but my husband gets praised for staying home with the kids." Sexism might be subtle, but it touches us every day.
Judgment
When my husband takes our child out with dirty clothes and a messy face, everyone melts, saying how cute they are and how lucky I am that he’s "babysitting." First off, he’s the dad—it’s not babysitting when he’s caring for his own child. Second, if I took our kid anywhere looking that way, I’d be judged as a careless mom.
At Risk
Crash test dummies in cars are designed to match the size and build of an average man. Women are generally shorter, shaped differently, and sit differently in cars. Because of this, women are 71% more likely to suffer minor injuries, 47% more likely to be seriously hurt, and 17% more likely to die in crashes—even though men tend to drive more recklessly and faster.
Eye Contact
After my exam, the doctor explained my diagnosis and treatment options to my husband—without even looking at me, as if I wasn’t there or it wasn’t my body.
News Value
News reports often say things like “mother of two injured” or “65-year-old grandmother involved in accident.” When it’s a man, they simply say “man fell down the stairs.” It’s as if a woman’s life is only defined by whether she has children or grandchildren.
Prejudices
On vacation, when we check in at a hotel, I say I’m the doctor, but everyone keeps calling my husband "doctor." And if we bring dessert to a gathering, I get the compliments—even though my husband baked it. (He’s a fantastic baker.)
Taught
When I started volunteering with my wife at an organization, after events I’d head to the sink to wash dishes. There was always a helpful lady ready to show me how to do it properly. It’s sad that average men seem so helpless that women don’t expect them to handle a little dishwashing.
Amazement
I know women have it tougher, but once my wife literally "laughed off" a speeding ticket right in front of me.
The Role Model Dad
My husband is a carpenter, and I’m a chemical engineer. When our twins were born, since he had fewer orders and I was up for a promotion, we agreed he’d stay home with them. I earned well, he loved caring for the babies, and it worked great. But society—and even friends—quickly started getting to me. I just smiled when moms at the playground adored my husband, but when even my own friends praised him to me, I got frustrated. Everyone gushed about what a great dad he was and how lucky I was. So, during a family lunch, I had to set things straight. I told them I support the family financially because I’ve studied hard, work a lot, and am good at what I do. I rush home after work because bath time, bedtime, and storytime are my duties, and then I help clean up. I work a solid 15 hours a day. Yes, my husband’s a great dad, but please don’t act like I’m just lounging around...
Blockheads
As a man, I can’t help but notice that most sitcoms and ads show male characters as clueless, clumsy, bumbling fools, while their wives are smart, confident, and resourceful. Yet the shows revolve around the men, who, despite their ineptitude, are loved and patiently tolerated by their wives.
Technical Skills
I returned a toaster to the store because it wasn’t working. The guy asked if I’d plugged it in when I tried it. I told him I’m an electrical engineer, so yes, I did—but I wondered if he would have asked the same question to a man. He turned red.
