When Complaining About a "Nanny State" is Sexist

[one...two...tree 2,762]

In recent years, the term "nanny state" has become a favorite putdown on the Right. Conservatives routinely trot it out to defend their freedom to eat trans fats, inhale tobacco, or blaze incandescent light bulbs. Even the administration of Arnold Schwarzenegger fell prey to the label in more ways than one. But can the meme last? Dissing big government is one thing, but why bring nannies into it? Somebody's bound to get spanked. And that's pretty much what happened on the floor of the Texas House yesterday when a Democratic state Representative discovered that one of her bills was being opposed by a flyer depicting a baby nursing a bare breast beneath the words: "Don't expand the nanny state."

"I don't appreciate this attack on women," said Rep. Senfronia Thompson of Houston as she held a copy of the flier, which was made by members of the conservative Texas Civil Justice League, a tort reform group. "And I'm going to have to tell you something: I don't perpetrate violence against somebody, but if they were here I would probably bloody their nose."

A bipartisan collection of female lawmakers backed Thompson up at the podium. Republican Rep. Debbie Riddle questioned a misogynist climate created by "the way some of the men have treated some of the women--with pornography on the floor of this House."

The flyer's offensiveness seems to come less from the intimate photo it shows than the way it frames it: Portraying the breast as belonging to a nanny flatters neither mothers nor nannies (wet nursing stopped being popular decades ago). Add the negative political message, and the flyer comes off as a mockery of the bond between mother and child.

Female legislators were clearly exasperated. Houston Democrat Carol Alvarado alluded to the House's recent passage of a bill that requires women to view a sonogram of their unborn fetus before getting an abortion. "We have had almost 50-plus bills or amendments this session that I think have demeaned women," she said, "but this one takes us to an all-time low."

In an apology email, the president of the Texas Civil Justice League said the flyer was only a "draft" that had been given to somebody outside the group and then reproduced. But as of Thursday evening, that explanation seemed to have done little to quell a brewing gender war in the Texas legislature. The most forceful part of Thompson's speech, which received a standing ovation, starts around 4:45:

http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/05/texas-outrage-over-nanny-state-flyers

[Danno 1,228]

The term "Nanny State", is in every way applicable.

A Mommy state would never work because.... well moms while over protective, their efforts are free of charge.

A Daddy state would never work because men tend not to obsess over the little mundane comforts and worries.

Nanny-State is the ideal reference to what we are fast evolving toward "The tyranny of nice"...(as I heard Mark Steyn so aptly put it).

The only bias or sexism involved in the word

is based in the reality of how people reserve the roll of Nanny for females only. (and most certainly Liberals included)

I dare anyone acting as a man to answer an advertisements for nanny positions, see how many family call you in for an interview.

By a long shot, women are more trusted and thought to be more caring.......... Doesn't this mirror the Lefts view of Government: You can "trust" government and ...

it's "more caring" of the dangers and cares of your life than even you are.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

the roll of Nanny

The roll of the Nanny, eh? Just how does the Nanny roll, Danno? Tell us.

[Danno 1,228]

The roll of the Nanny, eh? Just how does the Nanny roll, Danno? Tell us.

[SuperDuper! 230]

[Fandango 1,440]

In recent years, the term "nanny state" has become a favorite putdown on the Right. Conservatives routinely trot it out to defend their freedom to eat trans fats, inhale tobacco, or blaze incandescent light bulbs. Even the administration of Arnold Schwarzenegger fell prey to the label in more ways than one. But can the meme last? Dissing big government is one thing, but why bring nannies into it? Somebody's bound to get spanked. And that's pretty much what happened on the floor of the Texas House yesterday when a Democratic state Representative discovered that one of her bills was being opposed by a flyer depicting a baby nursing a bare breast beneath the words: "Don't expand the nanny state."

"I don't appreciate this attack on women," said Rep. Senfronia Thompson of Houston as she held a copy of the flier, which was made by members of the conservative Texas Civil Justice League, a tort reform group. "And I'm going to have to tell you something: I don't perpetrate violence against somebody, but if they were here I would probably bloody their nose."

A bipartisan collection of female lawmakers backed Thompson up at the podium. Republican Rep. Debbie Riddle questioned a misogynist climate created by "the way some of the men have treated some of the women--with pornography on the floor of this House."

The flyer's offensiveness seems to come less from the intimate photo it shows than the way it frames it: Portraying the breast as belonging to a nanny flatters neither mothers nor nannies (wet nursing stopped being popular decades ago). Add the negative political message, and the flyer comes off as a mockery of the bond between mother and child.

Female legislators were clearly exasperated. Houston Democrat Carol Alvarado alluded to the House's recent passage of a bill that requires women to view a sonogram of their unborn fetus before getting an abortion. "We have had almost 50-plus bills or amendments this session that I think have demeaned women," she said, "but this one takes us to an all-time low."

In an apology email, the president of the Texas Civil Justice League said the flyer was only a "draft" that had been given to somebody outside the group and then reproduced. But as of Thursday evening, that explanation seemed to have done little to quell a brewing gender war in the Texas legislature. The most forceful part of Thompson's speech, which received a standing ovation, starts around 4:45:

http://motherjones.c...ny-state-flyers

Good Lord, that's reaching.

a baby suckling from the breast is very much applicable. I'm not offended.

Also, it's kinda funny 'I don't promote violence BUT I'd give him a bloody nose'. That three little word which means 'don't listen to anything I just said before it cos it's irrelevant.'

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It's certainly an unfortunate choice of metaphor, but hardly the sort of thing that's worth much discussion.

[slim 1,530]

So... let me get this straight.

Women breastfeeding at a public restaurant is totally acceptable and a protected right. Women breastfeeding on a political flyer is pornography?

A woman representative talks about bloodying the nose of a man and it's protected speech. Would a man representative talking about bloodying a woman's nose be so protected?

Double standard? What double standard?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

OK.... that post is a load of old pony.

The issue with the flyer is that the image of breastfeeding in the context in which it is being used is inherently sexist.

If you are familiar with linguistics you might be familiar with the idea that language is inherently sexist - how for example, the most offensive words in our language refer to women's genitals.

Edited May 30, 2011 by fishdude

[slim 1,530]

Everything is sexist... when it's men doing it.

Kind of like how nobody is racist when they vote for a guy based simply on 50% of his race but yet everyone is racist when they say something negative about that guy.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I think it's your perception that may be at fault there.

[웃 910]

If you are familiar with linguistics you might be familiar with the idea that language is inherently sexist - how for example, the most offensive words in our language refer to women's genitals.

Um, no.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Um, no.

Absolutely. Here's another example for you - Common titles for men:

Mr

Common titles for women:

Miss, Missus, Ms.

What's the difference?

[Danno 1,228]

If you are familiar with linguistics you might be familiar with the idea that language is inherently sexist - how for example, the most offensive words in our language refer to women's genitals.

Come on dude, I know you have been called a D_ck head before, or told you didn't have the balls, or been told ridiculed for relying on viagra... or for having a small pecker?

News flash, these attacks are not limited to women.... or more cutting when referring to a women's genitals.