I am an elder male but I am a member of the ElderChicks. At 85,I realize the wonderful addition that women have given my life. Women are smart, intuitive, compassionate,can manage better than any man, and fill in all the important details that are a requirement of civilized living. Would we have an economy without women, quality of life care for our children, and the decency that is the prime requirement for civilization? LOVE YOU!
Appreciation from Ed Barrett
December 4, 2019 by ElderChicks
Beautiful words. Lovely to read them Ed.
Ed, You are definitely an example of what my late dear friend Patricia Beltran del Rio described as “an evolved one.” This beautiful message is so welcome and fits so well with “Holiday Treats.” Thank you for writing.
BTW If readers are curious about the many ways Ed Barrett makes life better for people of both genders, you can read about him in The New Senior Man, where Bobby Fleisher and I were privileged to share his story.
I hear this a lot from men but I find it overkill and it is just ringing true for me. Women and Men come in all ways–some men are superior, some women are inferior, whatever those designations mean. We just happen to be living in a male-dominated world for our species for 250,000 years. As such, it means that the balance is imbalanced. Trying to right the balance with over compliments smacks of condescension. I do not need to hear how “superior” I am or whatever. I need equal pay and opportunity (I needed it, I should say, I am retired now.) I needed not to be abused my men and in the work place, I needed not to have to battle a patriarchal system for me entire life. The way to balance things out is to balance things out. Not with compliments.
Thank you, Ed. Your lovely tribute is very redeeming. I don’t hear this all the time from men, save for my husband. He is 50% chauvinist, but he includes all women when he compliments an accomplishment of mine. Happy Holidays to you.
Gee Ed, you are a slow learner. You have been surrounded by these fabulous women all your life and you now discover their many talents. You have missed a whole lifetime of love, laughter, learning and companionship. I learned how men are different than woman in elementary school. No I don’t mean physical or sexual but in thinking, responding.and actions. When I have a problem I don’t run to my girlfriends but go to my male friends. They give me a whole new prospective that helps me make better decisions faster. You know Ed, Adam knew this when he gave up his rib.
Allison, I almost didn’t write this as I was nervous how you might feel that I was criticizing you, which I am not. I am questioning your use of words that could defeat your very purpose of “fair share.” I agree on your subject matter. Compliments are like after dinner mints…a few will suffice. It is the ‘superior’ and ‘inferior’ words regarding people I question. She is a super chief but a lousy auto mechanic. In what column does she fall into? These words would be best as a description of material things. Dominance could be earned but most of the time it is passively allowed. When ever dominance entered my world I just sweetly said “cut the crap!” I didn’t need 30 years to know I was sexually harassed. I used that sweet smile with the words “forget it, if you’re trying to get in my pants you are not going to make it.” Certainly not words a proper lady would use but then I wasn’t talking to woman, just men, in language they understood. Yes, I’ve been called ‘bitch’ but I countered, “That’s Ms Bitch to you and don’t forget it.” My demand for respect was loud and clear but I got it. I have been blued and tattooed by both men and women, it is not gender specific! You have used the word ‘need’ 5 times. Men see this word as needy, helpless. ‘Want’ would carry much more weight. I don’t need equal pay, I want what I am worth. I bring a lot to the table and want to be compensated for it. Balance is not achievable considering the diversity of the human race. One person’s balance is another person’s discrimination. Old, young, retired, gender, ethnic, tall, short, fat or thin we are in charge of our own space, we must learn to handle it well.