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Few things in our society ever get questioned. We get caught in its cogwheels in such a way that we don’t realize that our expectations, attitudes, and ideas about how things should be get distorted.

And when it comes to women, unwanted things and unpleasant experiences they have to go through are often so normalized, nobody makes a big deal out of it. You stop for a sec and wonder ‘how on earth did this happen?’

This exact discussion was sparked when one redditor asked women on Ask Reddit “What is something that women experience and is seen as 'normal' but is actually very wrong, and shouldn’t be as accepted as it is?” As you can imagine, women had a lot to say in that department and the responses started flowing in. Let’s see some of the most eye-opening ones right below.

#1

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Being expected to be nice when a man is overstepping your boundaries. As soon as we express any discomfort we're made to feel we should be nice to them. Eg: it was only banter, lighten up, that sort of thing.

infamyinfamy , Keira Burton Report

#2

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Downplaying how horrible periods can be. I've seen so many men act like women are being babies on their period and it's just enraging.

OverallDisaster , Sora Shimazaki Report

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Eva the Egg
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wouldnt it be great if all men in the world had a day were they were on a period and could see how it feels?

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#3

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up No.

That's it.

The word no.

When a guy says no it's not usually questioned, they don't have to go into a long detailing as to why.

When a woman says no to pretty much anything they're either asked or they feel compelled to have to explain why their answer is no.

No is a complete sentence.

iamthenightrn , Anete Lusina Report

#4

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Dressing little girls in a way that makes it difficult for them to move around. Your 4-year-old should not miss out on valuable play because she doesn't want to mess up her clothes or hair. Her appearance should be the last freaking thing on her mind. It makes me so angry to see little girls having to sit on the sidelines while their brothers and male cousins play rambunctiously because their parents put them in a dress and expensive shoes.

parezcounapina , Omid Armin Report

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Deborah B
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This! It sets their expectations for their whole life, until they're trying to walk in a tight pencil skirt and high heels, and have no pockets.

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cybermerlin2000
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We let our daughter choose her own outfit when she was a tot. She was never coordinated and always happy. I did ask her why and she said "My friends are not allowed to get dirty because their mommies and daddies say they look nice and don't want them to get dirty so they won't play in case they make a mess and I want to play" She was 5 at the time. Since that day 12 years ago I can't help notice that most kids dressed in their matching outfits are a lot less playful and a little less happier

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Ozacoter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Kids clothes should never be gendered. If it was up to me it wouldnt be legal to gender kids clothes or toys. They deserve to be treated equally.

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KatHat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

THIS. Very few things need to be gendered, and not just for kids.

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Theresa SilentCrow
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a nanny, I let my 5 year old charge play outside in the dirt making mud pies. I was let go because I taught their 'perfect Cabbage Patch Baby' to do something besides sit polite and not get her dress wrinkled. They actually called her their 'perfect Cabbage Patch Baby"

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Amy Pattie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let that sequined dress get mud all over it. She’s four, how many more times is she gonna wear it anyway!

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Nina
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom dressed me only "up" for visiting some special places. I loved my colourful dresses. All the other times I wore pants and shirts and sturdy shoes. 😊 Kids are no adults, they don't need $1000 Skirts, shoes, hair&make-up ... or Hermes bags.

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Cee Mor
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a life long problem for women...I'm expected to wear a dress to certain social situations...I don't look good in them and I can't dance well in a dress!!! Pants every time for me (60 y.o.w)

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Ozacoter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the reasons why I wont marry. I dont want to argue with my family non stop about why I wont be wearing a dress.

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Kevin Beard
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not always the parents. Getting my 3yr old to not wear a dress and for the clothes to not be pink is a fight every day. (We don't ever hold her back from playing because of clothes though...)

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OhForSmegSake
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I loved my pretty dresses with petticoats and shiny, shiny shoes but there was always a change of clothes in the car (my brother's old hand me downs) so I could be me when I was tired of being "girly girl"

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OCD Mom
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wished I could vote this more. My little girl does not want to be left out of anything. And she will not be, I always make sure of that. Kids don't know about style, they don't care. They want to enjoy. As long as the clothes are comfortable, they are good. I personally love those 5$ walmart clothes, they are really comfortable, cheap and perfect for kids. My in laws almost grind me for buying her cheap clothes, but hey, my girl is happy. She doesn't care and that is all that I need.

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Nina
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And the grow way too fast for too expensive clothes! I bought a lot of second hand in the first years. All of the clothes from thrift stores, flea markets or garage sales were always in pristine condition. 😊 So, nothing wrong with "cheap".

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Jennifer Norton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep! I mean I dressed my daughter in frilly clothing when we went somewhere nice, but for the most part it was shorts and a shirt, or pants and a shirt. I wanted her to be able to play!!!!

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Elizabeth Stewart
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Taught preschool for a decade, had a number of little girls who LOVED the frilly dresses. Most parents were supportive and let the girls wear them and let the girls destroy them without consequences. They usually had a couple extra dresses and pants and shirts in their bags so they could chose what they wanted to wear and change whenever. We had little boys who loved the frills too. One of them often showed up in dresses too and always had pink glittery cowboy boots. Kids should get to be kids and wear what they want and do what they want. Nothing needs to be boy/girl at that age.

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Beth Guest
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so on point. Even my 14 year old, who chose to wear a dress to her grandmother’s funeral regretted it, being constantly aware that she had to keep her legs closed while sitting. She said “Mom, I gave up my freedom when I chose to put that on...I’m never doing that again! It was so uncomfortable!”

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Jyri Hakola
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that from the items in this list this is a cultural thing that varies between countries. Here where we live, I don't recall seeing any that fancy dressed girls in daycare or pre-school when taking my children there. Only heavily gender-biased thing seems to be here the color palettes of technical outerwear , merino-wool base layer, rubber of the rainsuits and boots or the UV fabrics of the summer clothing. And of course prints and texts in the college-shirts and t-shirts. Frozen for girls, darth vader for boys...

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Chris Challis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

what worries me is the huge backpacks some children are expected to tote and to school.

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oi flaca
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and boys. seriously, a two year old doesn't need a bow tie. let them be kids.

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Magdalena Urbaniak
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom always had a second set of clothes when she was picking me up from kindergarden. It was 100% sure that the ones I was wearing through the day will be dirty/holey/both. There was no point fighting it, I'm a curious soul.

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Nicole Jay
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My girls ran and played with their male cousins no matter what they wore. And they looked glorious no matter what 🥰

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Jacqueline Kapiteijn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This. My 4year old daughter wears clothes that are allowed to get dirty . She climbes trees, jumps in the mud with them and I dont mind washing them. Let them be kids, they grow up so fast!

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zovjraar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

oh gosh, my mum never dressed me in something i couldn't play in, unless we were dressed up for pictures or i asked to get dressed up. we had a very gender-neutral home before it was even a thing. i played with my brother's legos and cars, and he played with my barbies and ponies. (we chose these toys, they weren't assigned to us. my brother had a cabbage patch doll and i had my bedroom done in red, black, and white.)

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Aurelia!
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes! Childhood is supposed to be a time for getting dirty, having fun, and not caring how you look!

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Stille20
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

True of all children. Give them comfy clothes. Expect them to get dirty

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Vicky Zar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My thought exactly. My daughter never wore a skirt or dress in her life. And I will only buy those when SHE expressly asks for them. She is wearing comfortable pants.

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Xylle Flora
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have sworn that unless it is extremely necessary I will never wear a dress again. I just don't like how they look and feel.

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Nathan Pogorzala
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having a cute child (girl) is only for the betterment of the parents social acceptance. My daughter wears a pink Bass Pro hat, with hand me down football t shirts from her brother, leggings and red cowboy boots because she chose it and because she is comfortable.

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Susan Egan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We were at a family gathering. There was a big muddy puddle under the swings. I was letting my toddler enjoy walking around in it and laughing. One of her slightly older cousins was appalled. "My dad would be so mad if I did that." "Why?" "She's getting so dirty." "I'm sorry honey but the mud will wash off and she's having fun. There's a faucet right over there, we'll wash before we leave." My sister and I were allowed to get dirty, make mud pies etc. I can't imagine stopping my daughter or my son for that matter.

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Heather Hayllar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and then end up with a bad spine hip and ankle or two later on/. Wheelchair

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Anna Repp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was helping with a children day camp once, doing art with kids. I had a girl who was so afraid she'd get paint on her white tights because her mom would be so mad. Mom knew we had a painting project every day and that we were paining some big mural. All together, sitting on a floor. Yet she dressed her daughter each day in the nicest things and those white tights so the poor kid could never fully enjoy the experience.

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Shelley DuVal
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Three year old girls at the beach in a bikini. They look so uncomfortable. On the other hand there are parents who understand this and let their little kids just wear the bikini pants. And let me tell you how many times I have heard some entitled twat loudly say how disgusting to allow a girl to not cover up. They're kids, they have no sexual identity until they mature!

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Anke Dieken
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I dressed my girls up for special occasions, but I didn't insist that they should sit and not play. Well, most clothes in the early years I bought second-hand and therefore cheap, so it didn't matter much to me.

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pusheen buttercup
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly, and why overpay for the fancy stuff? Children grow fast, and they're not dolls

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Esther Evans
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was little I wore dresses all the time...It never stopped me from playing and getting dirty...My great granddaughter loves dresses, and it doesn't slow her down, either !!

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Anne Mitchell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dress kids according to the circumstances. They should have "going out" clothes and "play clothes" and choose what they want to wear under specific circumstances. Little girls in tutus and cowboy boots are cute, but not necessarily appropriate.

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LSS
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While I can see this being a problem mostly for girls, I've seen a dad getting on to his son for playing b/c he didn't want the son to mess his shoes up. Just... ridiculous people all over the place.

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deanna woods
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom would put my sister and I in cute outfits for school picture day, but she also made sure that those outfits could be played in.

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Lillukka79
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had pink lacy dresses my mom made me, because they were the only thing I would wear. Never stopped me from climbing a tree, cycling through a forrest or collecting frog spawn.

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Marilyn Holt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK I guess someone has to disagree I suggest it's rarely a kid's clothing style that messes them up. There has to be far more involved. I grew up in dresses--climbing trees, running through the woods, catching bugs and frogs. My older brother wore "boys clothes" and spent all his time indoors or on the back porch with books, building little electric devices, taking things apart with screwdrivers and rebuilding them.

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Penni Sauer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I taught preschool, we always told the parents to dress their kids for success. In preschool that means clothes they can easily put on and take off themselves, are not afraid to get dirty in, and allow them complete freedom of movement.

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Sagegreen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Putting little girls in tights to keep her warm...give her pants dammit.

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Anna Simpson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I took my 7 yr old to the zoo a while back and as we were waiting for the train she was climbing a tree and swinging on its branches. Another girl around the same age saw her and ran over but before she could even touch the tree her Dad yelled out for her to stop because she would ruin her shoes. She stopped, looked at her expensive shoes and then back at my bare-footed child before turning back to her Dad. She kept looking over her shoulder towards us as they entered the zoo...along the muddy track. Those shoes and her pretty dress would most definitely get dirty at the zoo and I felt bad that she couldnt just play without needing to look tidy.

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Anne Mitchell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What ever happened to dressing for the occasion? I only had girls. They had "good" clothes for going out and which they changed to play clothes when they came home. They wore "play" clothes to kindy and could get as dirty as they wanted to.

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Callie Ge
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My girls lived in bike shorts T-Shirts & joggers, the pretty dresses were reserved for special occasions, my youngest daughter has never worn a dress in her life.

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River Webb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

a four year old shouldn't worry about stuff like that, they should be worrying about wether or not they're favourite doll is going to stop crying for her daddy at night

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Dillon Hughes
Community Member
3 years ago

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Yea a little girl wanting to year pretty things... yes their choice, want to look like a princess is what they tell me. Down vote libtards!

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#5

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Pressure to have kids. Lectures and being guilted if you don't want to. The weird idea some people push that motherhood needs to be the center of our lives.

Connie_Damico , Liana Mikah Report

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frangee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, from such a young age, kids, especially girls, are expected to play at being parents and stuff. It just makes it seem as though their whole life revolves around having kids.

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#6

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Medical discrimination. Not believing woman’s pain or symptoms or saying they are completely related to your monthly cycle/hormones.

And thinking of woman primarily by their reproductive capacity. Yes, doctor I came in for this rash but sure let’s answer your question on family planning and my birth control options.

Nephron8 , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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River Webb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Woman: has incredibly large rash all over her body Woman: *happens to be on period* Doctor: coincidence? I think not!

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#7

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up "When a boy is mean to you, that means he likes you..."

JUST NO!!! Anyone that truly loves you will not hurt you mentally, physically, or verbally. EVER!!! They tell you this when you're young to prepare your for a dirtbag husband in the future and some women never get the common sense to see that it's actually a bully!

Chuck2025 , RODNAE Productions Report

#8

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up I know way too many women who think it's normal to have to do most of the housework and childcare, plus the mental and emotional load of household management, even if they also have an outside job. Also to manage their husbands as if they are children who can't be expected to remember to make appointments or buy their own clothes or things for the children or holidays or take care of menial tasks without reminders and help.

FranzLuciferdinand , August de Richelieu Report

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troufaki13
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Women DO the housework and childcare while men HELP. This approach needs to change :/

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#9

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Being expected to let men have sex with them but also shaming any woman who also shows a modicum of Libido. It's almost like society wants women to have sex but hate it at the same time and it's gross

Chessebel , cottonbro Report

#10

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up In public spaces, when men put their hands on you so they can pass by. It's common in clubs and bars, but happens elsewhere, too. Funny thing is, a guy can't get past you without putting his hands on your waist. But, he can navigate a wall of men totally touch free. So creepy and intrusive

RasSass_01 , Keira Burton Report

#11

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Spaghetti strap tanktops on a hot summer day being "provocative".... And the high school dress code

crazy4zoo , Igor Rodrigues Report

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Soggy Crumpet
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agree with the spaghetti strap comment but also agree with having a basic dress code at high schools

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#12

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up I find it a bit insulting when you see a picture of a woman who is really pretty and you find out that she’s a top scientist or engineer or a doctor, something very prestigious, and a person says “ Wow, She’s pretty, I wasn’t expecting that!” What, like are smart people usually butt ugly? pretty girls can’t be smart? Wtf! I feel like that’s really common and needs to end.

itsrachyrach , ThisIsEngineering Report

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#13

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up My 14 year old daughter pointed out today how often my dad interrupts me. I hadn’t even noticed. She said, “yeah - all the men in our family interrupt and talk over you except dad.”

breadfruitbanana , Ekaterina Bolovtsova Report

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Nat Hedley
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'I'm sorry, did the middle of my sentence interrupt the beginning of yours?'.

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#14

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up The amount of sexual abuse and harassment that is rampant in our society. Most women I know started being harassed by men when they were elementary school students, and that is seen as normal.

the-neonmoon , Alex Green Report

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Sinkvenice
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sexual harassment of women, ESPECIALLY young girls, isn't seen as normal. It of course happens which is atrocious and should absolutely be stopped but only sexual predators think it's "normal."

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#15

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up As a child boys pulling your skirt up.

Periods like they are something we should be ashamed of and not talk about.

When talking a rape, women are told things they should not do and things are directed at they are to blame for anything and everything that happens.

Being talked over.

You either talk too much or not enough.

Being sexualized at any age. Looking at you beauty pageants.

When you prove a man wrong, somehow you are villain because you hurt his pride.

Worsethanboys , Anete Lusina Report

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River Webb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

beauty pageants are a total menace, not only are children forced into performing when they don't want to but their bodies are also sexualised in totally disgusting ways

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#16

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Men hitting on you after you’ve made it clear you’re not interested but stopping immediately if they find out you have a boyfriend, so you must “belong” to another man.

rngrb3 , Katerina Holmes Report

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#17

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up The fear of expressing too much comfort around male friends who might see it as a sexual opportunity. Too many of us experience this

Ripple935 , Katerina Holmes Report

#18

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Men pushing boundaries without consent during sex. "Accidentally" putting it in the wrong hole. Strangling. Hitting. Abusive misogynistic language. Pretty much every woman I know has had a man do these things out of nowhere towards them and they are supposed to accept it because it's "kinky" or something. And now it's literally 15 years old girls who are dealing with this trauma because of p*rn normalizing it as something boys are supposed to do to women, its completely disgusting

OrangeyPanda , Valeria Boltneva Report

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Ripley
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Young people (all genders) *need* to be told that porn is not real. Over and over again until they get it. For a lot of kids it may be the only sex education they get. No wonder they have a really skewed view of what sex is supposed to be like.

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#19

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Women's clothing being paper thin and without pockets.

ChunkyStains , Artem Beliaikin Report

#20

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Not getting the help from doctors that we need to survive. A woman in my country died from cancer that was related to her undiagnosed endometriosis, but for years doctors just thought they were 'bad periods'.

Morticia_Black , Ivan Samkov Report

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Ozacoter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This. It took me 10 years to get my endometriosis and adenomyosis diagnosed and another one to get surgery (and it went terrible due to a sexist doctor). By the time I got treated the endo wasnso bad that it was basically too late to help. I cannot work or have a normal life anymore because of all the doctors that ignored me or put my fertility as a bigger priority than my health

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#21

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up The expectation that women should wear makeup to be seen as professionals.

Aging isn’t allowed. It is the norm for men to grow older and look it but women are constantly pressured to look young.

wewereonabreakkkk , Ekaterina Bolovtsova Report

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#22

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Being firm often leads to a woman being branded as demanding.

micumpleanoseshoy , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

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Zophra
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or a called a bitch. The double-standard is very obvious especially in management positions.

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#23

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Women having to come up with safe and clever ways to reject a man’s advances instead of being able to give a simple no and have it being respected.

makeshiftmarty , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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Lisa Whipp Myhre
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being a firmly committed single woman, sometimes I dread having to explain the whole "yes, I'm single, no, I'm not looking for a mate" conversation. I used to lie and say I was married or had a boyfriend, but many times they took it as a challenge.

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#24

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Catcalling, it's gross and degrading.

Electrical-Nothing25 , Keira Burton Report

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Eva the Egg
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I absolutely hate this. Not only that it makes us extremely self conscious, it is also considered sexual harassment.

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#26

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Being with giant manbabies who do not know how to act like adults.

Ladies it is not normal to be with someone who argues with you, never cleans up after himself and expects you to do all of the housework.

Csherman92 , Diva Plavalaguna Report

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Doggo Froggo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well we don't have to stay with them, at least. And we can teach them otherwise if they are willing to learn. Sad we have to think like that though.

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#27

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Not being able to walk down the street at night with headphones on without carrying your keys as a weapon.

An-Aussie-Abroad , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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Cleo Carter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not being able to walk down the street at night ALONE without carrying your keys as a weapon

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#28

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up The amount of money we have to pay for menstrual products. I remember being a poor university student having to use rolled up toilet paper because I couldn't afford pads or tampons, and menstrual cups were not a thing back then. $12 for a box of tampons doesn't seem like much, until you're living off KD, ramen, and rice, then it becomes a luxury.

livercookies , Polina Zimmerman Report

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El muerto
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

should be free...or at least very subsidized...guess you'll need free health care for that

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#29

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up The fact that women die of reproductive cancers more often than men because our pain and symptoms aren't taken seriously. So many health women lose their lives because their pain and suffering is considered normal, are told that what they're experiencing isn't bad because women are meant to experience pain and dysfunction.

TheThoughtfulLemon , Sharon McCutcheon Report

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PandaPanda
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It. Is. Infuriating. Periods are not a way to shove aside real problems. If something is wrong, it is the doctors job to take it seriously. No. Matter. What.

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#30

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Telling me to smile when I don't f**king want to. But when I was younger I did out of discomfort.

anonymous , Andrea Piacquadio Report

#31

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up One thing I have dreaded since beginning. Like it was the first thing that caught my eye as a sign of normalised discrimination, was.. Whenever a guest arrived at my place. I or my sister was supposed to make tea or prepare some snacks. But my brothers played outside. I hated it so much.

paw__ , Gary Barnes Report

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White Paper Tsuru
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same. I hate the whole 'girls in the kitchen' expectation. I'm in there so my mother isn't doing all the work, but f**k it. My dad should know how to make something in the kitchen other than alcoholic beverages for hosting.

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#32

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Inappropriate behavior from men, especially from a young age. If a boy hits a little girl he “just likes her”. That little boy grows up thinking there’s no repercussion for violence, and keeps hitting women. The cycle just goes on.

professional_joe , Danielle Report

#33

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Birth control. Side effects and horrible horrible possible risks

caitiemaybugu , cottonbro Report

#34

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up I mean, the complete double standards we have for women as mothers as opposed to fathers. There’s a lot to be said but for example, we tell moms it’s normal to sacrifice damn near you’re whole entire body/career/hobbies/life for the kids but men are somehow not held to the same standard? Idk if I’m explaining well, I’m a tired mom.

MittenKitten1992 , Kristina Paukshtite Report

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CowboyHank
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I must be missing something. Because when I became a father I sacrificed everything for my children. Anything that I wanted to pursue that didn't involve a little girl was off the table.

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#35

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up That people think they have the right to comment on how a woman looks or what she is wearing. There have been way too many times where someone feels they need to point out my 'physical flaws' just because. For example: acne, dark circles under my eyes, body/facial hair, paleness, etc.

mermaid_with_pants , Tim Samuel Report

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Beatrice Multhaupt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being lectured in public by a total stranger for my ''sloppy'' clothes while I was on my way to work on a stage set.

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#36

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up The constant picking apart of womens appearance by basically everyone and holding women to insane beauty standards (extensions, false lashes, makeup, drawn on eyebrows, contouring tricks to change your face, dye your hair, dress sexy, don't dress too sexy, wax your privates, dye your hair, stay in shape, have a big butt, tiny waist, push up bras, get fake nails, on and on and freakin on)

Snoo55011 , Andres Ayrton Report

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Ziva Kravdahl
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was teenager everyone was impressed with my huge eyelashes ("Are they real?!"). Now every girl has bigger fake lashes so it's not a big deal :(

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#37

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up Being polite to creepy men. There are so many things that can go wrong and I've read too many stories of women being killed for not taking a guy's number

TheSilverCrystal , cottonbro Report

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Kirsten Kerkhof
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Basically you're f*cked if a creep takes an interest in you. If you say no, you should've given him a chance to show he was nice (so you had it coming). If you say yes, you accepted his advances and you should've known he was a threat (so you had it coming).

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#38

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up People speaking over them, and/or the inherent ‘brush off’ that “if a woman says it it needs to be verified somehow.”

elephantasmos , Polina Zimmerman Report

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Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Man-splaining". My former boss tried to explain the industry specific accounting program I HAD CREATED to me. I was like, "Oh, really? OK. Show me how to run this report". And of course he said he didn't know how. I ran him through another few hurdles, just to make my point. And after conceding that he really didn't know how to do anything, I was like , "Really? Because I do. Wanna know why? I wrote the f*****g program".

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#39

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up The way pregnancy is treated like an illness. I feel like if men had to go through childbirth there would be more medical advancements in the field. Also, women’s childbirth injuries are often never treated seriously because the child is prioritized. Many never fully recover.

purplesky23 , Kei Scampa Report

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Leo Domitrix
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is definitely a problem that varies across nations/regions. The biggest injury issues still ignored (IMHO) are pelvic floor damage that results in bladder/bowel dysfunction and pain,if not spinal nerve compression issues.

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#40

Women Are Calling Out 40 “Female Experiences” That Have Been Normalized By Society But Are In Fact Really Messed Up I’m in the UK, I love running but I pretty much can’t train past a few months as when my fiancé is home at 4:30pm it’s dark, I can’t run on our old railway path when it’s dark! It’s annoying but normal to me now, but for a man? Yep run on your own at 5pm no worries

UnderstandingCheap57 , Alex McCarthy Report

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Nat Hedley
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Handy hint: get some workout gear clearly branded with a martial arts club. Even better, also go to the martial arts club. There was a wonderful story in the UK news a few years back of a young woman attacked by what turned out to be a serial rapist as she went through a (park, I think? It was a while back so can't remember the details). She was a trained martial artist and beat the s**t out of him. This is one negative aspect of being female we can change.

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