Historically, guys have never liked being told what to do. For centuries, men have used the law to keep women from saying things they don’t like. Unfortunately, many of my gender are currently engaged in retaliatory social castration , and two wrongs don’t make a right. However, I think three might do the trick. How about tossing in some arson, or maybe a little bank fraud, ladies?
In medieval times, creative punishments were used to prevent wives from employing objectionable phrases like, “We would have money for food if you didn’t spend it all on booze,” “We wouldn’t have 14 mouths to feed if you’d just keep it in your pants,” and “Stop hitting me.” Women who were judged to be “scolds” were secured to a “ducking stool” and repeatedly dunked in the local pond or river.
The ducking stool became slightly less popular after the invention of a technologically advanced shrew-taming device called the “scold’s bridle.” This fashionable accessory included an iron frame that fit around the head, holding in place a spiked tongue depressor. (Hey, it’d be nice to have one of those around next time she won’t shut up about those ugly shoes she just bought… am I right, guys? Am I right?? YEAH! *high five* ) There was also a handy loop so the scold could be led around town and mocked, an example to other women who may have been thinking about saying something to somebody about something.
[tags]crime, women, criminology, law, history[/tags]
Unfortunately what you state actually has little or no historical evidence to back it up.
Men and women were both too vital in medievil times, both worked, both valued each other too much. Alternatives led to starvation or loss of children. Neither men or women peasants had any rights.
Feminism generally has led to wild stories about what men used to do. Men also used to defend their women and families with their lives, and still do. Women nowadays seem to revel in forgetting such details while simultaneously implying all men secretly want to beat their women and deprive them of their rights.
It just makes me angry, that’s all.
Mxcl,
You’re right! A lot of women go way overboard when it comes to whining about men. I thought I made that clear by linking “retaliatory social castration” to the National Organization for Women.
The post is somewhat tongue-in-cheek but the fact is, the punishments I described are entirely historically accurate, and were used well into the 18th century. That doesn’t mean they were used everywhere, or that men are bad. I’m a fan of men, myself. A man-fan, if you will. Thanks for the comment!
I looked at the NOW site, and failed to see anything that even vaguely met the standard of “retaliatory social castration.”
Face the facts. For better or for worst, there are no actions even remotely equivalent to the “customs” you mention above that women as a collective social group have imposed on men. Just hasn’t happened.
Alright then. Let’s just say I hate both genders (and all combinations/variations thereof) equally. I hope everyone is mollified.