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

Yes... and my absolute favorite: "But [insert random other woman] doesnt have this kind of problem. SHE never complains/always goes to work/goes running and does sports during her period, therefore you are obviously just acting!"

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

Even worse when such an attitude comes from a fellow woman, just because she doesn't realise she's just lucky.

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

I know when our daughter and my fiancée are due. I have a ready supply of chocolate, Ibuprofen and sanitary products on standby at all times. A few days in advance I set up the sofa with fluffy pillows and fluffy blankets/throws and make sure the TV remotes are on a table within arms reach

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

I'm one of the lucky ones that don't have painful periods

dariab_1 avatar
Daria B
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be honest, me too. But I used to experience some of those when I was young. Didn't forget the pain. Either way, it doesn't need to be necessarily menstrual pain, any other type of unbearable physical pain should be enough to empathise with anyone going through menstrual pain, really.

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

I suffered with endometriosis for 35 years, and only experienced a complete lack of empathy. But boy, the pharmaceutical industry sure worked awfully hard (no pun intended) to come up with that little blue pill!

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

Yeah, a flu lands them on their back, but damned if they'll even try to understand period pain. And we have to endure it once a month for YEARS.

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

I am so lucky, my hubby gets it and doesn't trivialize my pain. Instead he is understanding and allows me space to deal with it. I wish more men could be like him and get it that this s**t hurts!!!!

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

my brother said that "women are able to handle periods because are bodies are made for them" ummm NO

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

As a endometriosis patient I have experienced incredible pain from my uterus and ovaries. I had an accident filled oife because I am clumsy: Broke my toe and arm, opened my head twice, broke my nose, fell out of a moving gold cart and got a lot of wounds, recovered from operations etc . I never had pain as intense as with some of my periods. The kind of pain that doesnt let you move and barely talk. That lasts 4 or 5 hours and its so intense that you would do anything to stop it.

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

I feel for you. When I was finally able to convince my doctor into a hysterectomy, it was the greatest point in my life. No more arranging my life around my period.

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

Although I'm a guy ... I got to know what real pain is like after the effed up my gallbladder removal a bit. Still hurts every single day, sometimes being unbearable - and hardly anyone believes there's more to it than me just wanting to "get high". I know some meds can provide this, but being pain free is worth so much more, ... anyway, as I got to know a kind of pain (NOT only intensity) I wasn't aware does even exist when I was 29, I guess the default position on this is to believe whoever says he or she has pain - and as I don'T have a uterus, I cannot possibly know any about period pain firsthand. But I can refuse to not believe unless I have a reason to not believe.

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

Am I the only one who has no period issues? I have no cramps and a very small flow

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

Not the only one, i know some people who feel nothing. i know more who have issues than dont though.

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

not my uterus...i got nothing to say except " What can I do to make it more bearable"?

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

Passing out from the pain. Never being “regular”. Never having pads when I needed them. And in the days before the convenience of being able to shove all purchases on a credit card, no money to buy protection. The School Nurse sending me a joke invoice for all the pads I’d blagged from her supplies - she was the one who drilled it into me to have pads with you at all times. Even though I no longer have periods, every single bag/handbag has at least one tampon in it!

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

F that. When i was in my late teens and early 20's I would be on the bathroom floor for 3 days solid EVERY MONTH from the pain and vomiting it was absolute agony.

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

I remember one time I was on my period, and just bad cramps, and I was just in lousy mood. I kind of snapped at my son, he was probably 17 at the time so he knew what a period was. I later went back and apologized to him, and he was like mom it's Okay, I would be in a bitchy mood too if I bled out of my d**k every month. Really made me laugh!

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

I’ve actually had more problems with females than males. The worst are other women with endometriosis. I have stage 4 endo and fibromyalgia. I absolutely loath the line, “if I can do it, you can do it.” The most common variation is “ifI can work through the pain, so can you.” Good for you, Carol. But have you ever woken up in an ambulance because you passed out from the pain while walking to your cubicle? No? Then stop telling me what I can and cannot do.

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

My sympathy. Also very Nice when people don't see it as a competition. The only woman i would take her pains if i could is my little baby girl

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

I read this somewhere and have now used it to describe period pain to men...Some women experience accute appendicitis during their periods but don't go to the doctor until their appendix bursts because they just assume it was bad cramps. Our period cramps are so bad sometimes we can confuse them with a literal bursting organ.

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

This also . Makes me so crazy mad, considering from the age of 14 I had endometriosis, it’s that bad I’ve had to have a hysterectomy. But you know shut up and don’t double over screaming in pain because I’ll still have to go to school

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

I know a girl who doesnt get her period very regularly, but when she does get it its bad to the point where she is consistently showing up because of how bad the cramps are.

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

Keep strong women, it does get better! You have to deal with hot flashes but you will get rid of the cramps eventually when menopause hits. I am almost through it, and its fabulous not having a period anymore!

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

yes the same men who think they are dying when they have a cold.

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

Mine are really mild, but I know some who can be crippled by them.

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

I got migraines and barfing loud enough to wake the entire neighborhood, nobody questioned how bad mine were. They were too terrified.

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

I've seen women downplay other women that have more pain then they think appropriate. Just because "we" don't feel so awful we need a day off. That doesn't mean someone who does is making it up.

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

Thing is, there are plenty of women who down play it, too. They have no real idea how bad a period can get with the pain, near hemorrhage, nausea and ruined clothes (no matter how careful you are).

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

Istg the best superpower would be not getting cramps on your period ;D

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

Any man who does that to a woman he knows does not love her, does not respect her, does not actually trust her to be an honest person. That is grounds for divorce. To tell someone in pain that they are not in pain is abusive.

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

It's not just men though. Other women can be just as bad. I've had other women tell me (because it's not their experience) that I'm exaggerating or lying or that it's in my head.

erine avatar
Erin E
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But if they have the sniffles it’s the end of the world

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

I was lucky enough not to hear anything insensitive from a guy during my period cause i might have been in prison now.. i only once had one colleague that recommended taking very light painkillers or not at all cause i will screw my stomach...needless to say that i told him to do whatever he wants when HE has his period!

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

It's not only men who needs to be educated. Woman are so cruel sometimes! because your period is not that painful doesn't mean I cannot complain about Mine!! I've walked around for 23 years without a diagnosis, during my periods I couldn't walk, sleep, eat, nothing but screaming in misery of the abnormal amount of pain. Doctors told me my painlevel is very low and just suck it up because I'm not the only girl with periods! After 23 years I finally found a doctor who took me serious! I have grade 4 endometriosis with tissue growing in my bowels and bladder,cyst everywhere and adenomyosis in my uterus! Now I get to hear from my gynecologist that my painlevel must be So high to ensure this!

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

There still seems to be an incredible level of ignorance in males about how the female body works. Why is this not taught in all schools around the world?

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

I doubt empathy can be taught at school. At An age where kids probably can be at their cruelest.

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

There was one time when I played basketball on my period. It was hot, and it was my second day, which is when it's the worst. The blood came out on the BUTT part of my pants. Looked like a murder scene. But I made 50 baskets. :)

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

I had another female tell me that real woman don’t need Advil for periods....

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

let us see how these men would cope with that pain.. They would think they are dying...

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

I have seen my sisters growing up, and my wife hardly able to move because of cramps, that s**t is real yo.

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

I jokingly told my husband that if he ever had a menstrual cramp he would kill himself. In my defense I was having one when I told him.

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

I think my dad understands this situation because he has spent most of his life around women. But I have been around some guys who don't understand this at all.

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

But don’t dare to mention her period as the cause of her mood if you don’t want to see the sky burn 🔥

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Joe Phillips
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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

Unfortunately, I am sensing something of a double standard here. As far back as I can remember (and much further back than that according to those older than me), some have made a point that this is the kind of thing that only women have to deal with that makes them unsuitable for certain positions... and every time this is brought up, women have said this is no big deal and no woman should be disqualified from anything because of it. Well, which is it? No big deal... or a big deal like it's made out to be here.

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SBW71
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But it's ok for men to act like they are dying when they have a cold or the flu?? Men are the worst

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

It's hard to be sympathetic when it is something that seems so routine... like sure it sucks, but it's every month.. how bad could it be. They can't fix it, they can't related, frankly they aren't taught much about it.. so it takes work to be sympathetic.

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

I thought Women enjoyed their periods. It gives them a chance to tell their partner how everything wrong in the world is their partners fault.

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Sista of the moon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nope. Nobody really ‘enjoys’ a period as it’s painful, and a pain in the ass. And that last bit, that’s because or hormones being all over the place. It makes a person moody. So, I suggest you delete that.

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Katerina Huskova
Community Member
3 years ago

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Period should not hurt so badly that it ruin your day. If it does, go and see your doctor.

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

Hahahah. Sorry, i had to laugh because drs just...dont...care. you are a woman. Deal with it.

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viola hello
Community Member
3 years ago

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Wouldn't it be great if threads about "female experiences" didn't include an image showing a woman's bra poking out the side of her shirt, sexualizing the woman.

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Dillon Hughes
Community Member
3 years ago

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I have never met a woman that said it's horrible. Inconvient bummer gross, but not horrible.

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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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#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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