Boys Hate Girls

I've gone thru lifenever being one of the "girls". I don't have the stereotypical female interests (apart from the knitting and the occassional romance novel). I'm obviously not one of the "guys" either (I've got the wrong equipment).

The problem with enjoying more "guy" stuff than "girl" stuff is that you see that there is a complete lack of respect for those of the opposite sex. I've been very active on the Yourself!Fitness forums and on the gamefaq forums. I like to hear what other people say about it, but it has been a real eye opener to me. There are some men who really fear a "girl" game (the Yourself!Fitness)... "can a guy use it" has been one of the regular questions. It's a physical fitness program. Other than the reproductive parts and strength issues, men and women need the same type of program (professional cyclists use the same training techniques whether they are male or female: yes, there's a different level of endurance and there's a different caloric need, but the training methods are the same). Basically, if it's "geared towards women" it can't possibly good for guys.

I've also been very interested in what people are saying about Halo 2. The misogynists on the gamefaq site is scary. The assumption that "girls shouldn't be able to kick your ass at a video game" mentality. I don't see how a Y chromosone would help you play video games. It's hand eye coordination (and patience) not something that is sex specific. Yes, more guys play than girls, but there's no reason a female can't be a good video game player. There's such a belittling attitude and lack of respect that it frightens me. I had thought that we were getting better about things like that, but in fact we are not. Basically the male youth of today still see women as being inferior and only as sex objects. (there's also an "age" discrimination, I might add, but it's not as noticable).

I wonder if the men who knit (and yes there are some, just like there are female gamers) get the same impression from the forums that are female dominated. Do we, as females, bash men in the same belittling way? I never considered that knitting isn't something a man couldn't do, but then I play video games....