What Women Want

This week I am tired, so tired. Is it irony that there always seems to be a sensational media story on deck? The timing is incredible. Of course I am referring to this ugly chapter in the life and times of professional golfer, Tiger Woods. While most of the mainstream media and other outlets are focused on what HE did, I want to focus on the SHEs and what they did. As a woman, it’s only right for me to examine the habits and actions of other women. I cannot begin to understand the minds of men, but I can certainly delve into the female psyche.

In March 2008, then New York Governor, Eliot Spitzer, was forced to resign from office after being caught in a prostitution scandal. He was actually captured on a federal wiretap making travel arrangements for his high priced prostitute to meet him. This same prostitute has been quite vocal about the women involved in this latest scandal. She made a valid point when she described what they were doing and basically called them out as prostitutes. All of these women know the situation with these men and they choose to enter into an immoral relationship willingly…for the love of money. The professional athlete, politician, or other celebrity is an almost guaranteed meal ticket. After all, the road to riches is traveled much easier without having to work for it, right? These women looked for the quickest chance to go “all in.” Unfortunately, Tiger’s Teasers are not alone. They are just a few among an ever-growing bevy of mistresses. What can we expect from our women? In this country, the media promotes promiscuity and selling out.

The Walt Disney Company has even found a way to profit from this type of behavior. They have jumped on the bandwagon promoting a single man in search of his perfect match in the span of a few weeks. ABC/Disney’s hit show, The Bachelor, provides one man with 20 or so women whom he must “get to know” and then decide which one he will spend his life with. The women jump through all kinds of hoops and pursue the affections of this bachelor all while knowing that he has been in intimate situations with other women simultaneously. I could say that this is art imitating life because prostitutes do this every day. ABC and The Bachelor are just glamorizing what is actual prostitution. I should also mention that this show is copied and other networks air their versions of the program.

During this latest scandal, I have yet to hear from any of the women’s empowerment groups. Yes, I have seen Gloria Allred because she has been retained by one of the temptresses, but what about Gloria Steinem? Forget vilifying Tiger Woods, these women need to be held accountable. What happened to the strong, intelligent, independent woman who was determined to earn her way to the top?

I feel like we are continuously moving backwards in time, but the story is just more sensational and the women have had more work done. Our progress as a society and as women is being marginalized every time we hear about one of these relationship scandals. If this is what women want, we may as well just go to a home economics and etiquette course and study how to prepare for a man. Women fought so hard for equal rights, but it has become so easy to dismiss that and strip away the progress.

-Daphane is a blogger for The New View. Check out her bio to see where her view comes from.