Is there inequality in life and death situations?

Question

My partner believes that if women truly want equality that they can't pick and choose what situations they want to be equal in. He said women would find it unfair if they were expected to investigate noises in the middle of the night the way their husbands are, or fight off intruders to protect their families (in the instance they are living with a man) or if they had to give up their seat to a man on a life boat on a sinking ship. So my question is: Do you think that a womans life is considered more valuable than a man's? Is this an outdated notion or is there some reasoning behind it?

Accepted Answer

Do you think women aren’t already doing these things?

Answer

I don't think anyone should go investigate noises, doesn't anyone else watch scary movies?

Answer

these scenarios sound like they're out of old movies. when it comes to physical situations, it would make sense that whoever is the bigger or stronger person (on AVERAGE, a man) would choose to handle it. that's not "not wanting equality." if the wife is a black belt while the husband has no such background, I guess she's the one "investigating noises in the middle of the night."

Answer

Equality vs equity. In the example of “scary noises in the middle of the night” a woman’s husband is probably a lot stronger than she is, not always, but usually, so it would make sense that he would lead the way. Of course he doesn’t HAVE to, but most men I know actually chose to, so, I don’t know why you’re blaming women for this.

Answer

I think it’s a valid point. While some women already defend the home themselves or won’t demand special treatment in special situations just because they’re a woman I have known plenty of women who do agree with the “women and children” go first mentality. Growing up I had many female friends who said it was weird for women to hold open doors and if I did for them when I presented as a woman they would give me a funny look and say “A man is supposed to do that”. Ok, I’ll let the door hit you in the face next time, then. I still have friends currently who believe that it is a “man’s job” to do “dangerous tasks” like guard the home, investigate suspicious activity, handle guns, etc. I think there is a degree of inequality when it comes to expectations in certain situations, yes.

Answer

Honestly, it would make more sense if I took one for the team anyway. 🤷‍♀️ My SO has a much higher probability if providing a good life for our kids. (I’m a sahm with no real career, he owns a successful business).
Plus, I have better eyesight than him and am smaller so I could be way sneakier:

Answer

we don't find it unfair. we're totally cool with being treated equally and aren't being picky in which cases we want to be equals.

Answer

I mean there is some stereotype, but that doesn’t mean women want it that way. Honestly if there was an intruder in my home I would be really useless. I don’t know self defence and I literally freeze in dangerous situations. My two male roommates however are big tall muscley men and would probably have a better chance of winning in a fight than me. However if I did have the skills and ability to defend myself (which is something I really want to learn soon) I would have no issue in seeing what’s going on. I think it should be who has more chance of surviving and I really have slim chance in my opinion 😭😭😭

Answer

My husband is 6'5 and solid muscle, it would make zero sense for me to check for an intruder. Don't get me wrong, I am hella strong, but he's physically stronger and more intimidating than me. But my husband has been away for 3 deployments, and I slept with a bat next to my bed bc if there was anything to happen, I'd have to be the one to handle it. In general, whoever is stronger should go check 🤷🏽

Answer

In many ways yes, the lives of women and children have been seen as more worthy of protection. This is probably because women bear children who will become future generations, and have more life in front of them. And of course the average man is physically larger than the average woman, etc. on a related note I have heard it said that women frequently want equal representation in careers that make money and generate prestige, as ceos etc, but how many are clamoring to be sanitation workers, ditch diggers, (jobs that are more male) etc? I mean, to a certain extent the motivation is more about power than absolute equality.

Is there inequality in life and death situations?

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