Why do so many men think women are totally unfamiliar with power tools when many women even like carpentry?

February 19, 2010 by admin · 9 Comments
Filed under: Gender & Women's Studies 
power tools
Object Of Its Ire asked:

What’s the problem here?
Conda - I can use them fine and I jump at the chance to work with my hands. There’s a huge feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment that comes with a well-done job. I get a real kick out of it, and I know other women do as well.
You should see me tree-pruning. My (male) friend thought it was too radical and was crying in Polish, English and French the whole time. He was in despair, and wringing his hands. When I was done, he had to admit: I did a beautiful job! He admitted it after the realtor selling his house remarked on the great job I had done, lol!
Conda - it’s the crowd you hang out with. Those aren’t ‘real women’!
Patois: I have observed the same ‘gorilla’ behavior! I can’t believe it, hahahaha! And I just dismissed it as ‘just him’ - but perhaps it’s really more like ‘them’? Too funny!

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on Real Women

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on Real Women

Tags: , ,

Comments

9 Responses to “Why do so many men think women are totally unfamiliar with power tools when many women even like carpentry?”
  1. TERA says:
    February 23, 2010 at 3:12 am

    I don’t know much about power tools…but I can arc weld and weld with oxy-acetylene. I have to admit, I was the only girl in those classes. Perhaps times are changing, though. TERA

  2. conda says:
    February 24, 2010 at 4:34 am

    Because when it comes to the crunch our girlfriends want us to use them while they chat with their friends in the living room. I’m sure most could handle them fine but they don’t exactly jump at the chance whereas most men do (the bigger the better too). conda

  3. Twilight says:
    February 25, 2010 at 3:44 am

    If any man comes up with that comment on this farm they will be treated to a demonstration of their ignorance.

    Country women handle chainsaws. Doubters beware. Twilight

  4. 666666z says:
    February 26, 2010 at 2:35 am

    Sexism. What else? 666666z

  5. Phyllis C says:
    February 26, 2010 at 11:48 pm

    Women tend to be very meticulus and make great Finish Carpenters. Males seem to be in fear of women that are intelligent and self sufficient. They feel its a threat to their masculanity somehow. Its a Cultural thing in White society in particular. Most other cultures women are required to help any way they can. Phyllis C

  6. patois says:
    March 1, 2010 at 7:01 pm

    You’re into Goodall. Watch large primates with tools. Introduce a tool to chimps or gorillas and watch what happens. The males yank it away from the smaller males and females and take possession of it to sniff and investigate. Use of tools are enscounced in primate hierarchal behaviors which some human males manifest.

    My father graciously taught me everything about all construction skills and tools. BUT, he acted like a gorilla every single time I got a fish on my line. He’d snatch that pole away in a gorilla frenzy, totally forgetting my feelings or rights in the matter and then excuse his behavior away with rambling explainations about how much “finesse” handing the reel and line takes in such matters.

    In high tech nursing, I noticed that even male nurses had the same gorilla behavior about tools. One of my fellow nurses in cadiac ICU once actually wrestled me for a piece of new equipment to sniff and investigate first. He was like third in the world in Tai Kwon Do at the time, so I let him have the stupid thing without putting up too much of a fight, though, I vaguely remember biting him once hard enough to make him scream that night in bed together. patois

  7. malancam55 says:
    March 1, 2010 at 11:08 pm

    Probably for the same reason so many women think men are totally unfamiliar with child nurturing and domestic sciences.

    Stereo-typing traditions.

    If little evidence is actually observed of genders swapping traditional roles, then disinterest or incapability is assumed. malancam55

  8. Deirdre O says:
    March 3, 2010 at 7:08 am

    My father taught students how to use these tools and was one of the first teachers who lobbied for girls to be able to takes these subjects and for boys to take Home Economics.
    I remember taking home ec. and almost taking my finger off with the sewing machine. I hated making clothing and I badgered my Dad to let me in his class where they were making cool bird houses.
    I like power tools and hate when I go to buy something and get treated with condescention. Deirdre O

  9. Lee says:
    March 6, 2010 at 5:12 am

    Strange that women do no know how to use power tools when we have been using them for years. I really mean the sewing machine and washer. Lee

Speak Your Mind

Tell us what you're thinking...