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Are girls only gym hours really sexist–or that big of a deal? | Source: ShutterStock
Anyone who’s been to a gym knows that it can be sort of awkward as a woman. Depending on what your facilities are like, you may have to deal with creeps leering, staring or just making you feel self-conscious. As a result, a lot of gyms have established women-only hours or sections … but apparently one angry British dude thinks that’s really sexist–and he’s suing over it.
This guy thinks that because men pay the same price as women to be at the gym whenever they want, the girls only hours are a sexist policy against men. He thinks that men should either be able to pay less for a gym membership, that the gym should eliminate women-only hours or that the gym should offer guys only hours to compensate for the time men lose when gyms shut them out.
He says this is a result of widespread, “accepted misandry.” (“Misandry” is like “misogyny”–except instead of it being sexist against women, it’s sexism against men.)
Now here’s the thing–I sort of agree with him that the policy is unfair, but not with his reasons why.
It’s unfair, in general, to have to pay for something you not only didn’t ask for, but can’t use. It’d be like buying a dress you really like, but being forced to buy shoes with it that don’t match and are in the wrong size. It’s pointless and a waste of money.
But there’s an alternative: You can find that dress in another store without that stupid rule. Similarly, can’t this guy just find a new gym? If enough people vote with their wallets, unfair or perceived discriminatory policies will die out on their own. What’s more, many gyms are women-only at all times (think Curves back here in the U.S.), so ladies who don’t want to work out in front of guys would still have the option to do–they’d just have to do it elsewhere.
As for misandry, I really wish this guy would take a seat. We’re living in a world where women don’t feel safe enough to wear shorts to the gym without being skeeved out–and obviously not all men are guilty of being pervs. I really don’t think anyone is implementing these girls only gym hours because they hate men. And as for the difference in cost? Men still outearn women by about 30 percent, so from a financial standpoint, this technically may be the most fair, least sexist gym policy ever.
Plus, maybe no one hates men in general. But if they’re all this whiny, we could see why they may start.
Do you think girls only gym hours is a sexist policy? Do you think the world is becoming sexist against men? Would you be more likely to go to a gym if it had girls only hours? Tell us in the comments!
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I agree that it’s a bit sexist but I also understand it. How often do men have to worry about leers from women at the gym? How often do women make men feel uncomfortable or unsafe in those types of environments? It may be a somewhat sexist policy, but it wouldn’t be there if men could just control themselves and not treat women the way they have (I know not all men do, but there are enough that it’s a problem). Perhaps instead of having “Women Only Hours” there could be an area in the gym reserved for just women. That way, men would still be able to access the gym at all hours, but women would have an area to go to where they felt comfortable. Also, this is better because women would have a place to go at all hours as well, as opposed to just specific times that might clash with a busy schedule. Yes, there are “women only” gyms, but they aren’t as common and there might not be one within reasonable distance for some women who want to get a good workout.
Yes, the policy is sexist. I would be fine with the women only section if there was also a men’s only section, but times for only one gender are not okay with me no matter what gender it is. (What if that’s the only time someone of another gender can get to the gym?)
And although I don’t believe this case necessarily shows hate against men, misandry is definitely real. If we want equality, it needs to be all across the board. I know too many girls who want equal pay and rights, but still feel that guys should always pay for dates and give them whatever they want.
But think about it this way…what if the other gyms don’t have the same equipment or the same price? same as saying: Can’t the girls just go to an all girls gym instead to avoid pervs?
You’re asking the wrong questions…the question was “Is it sexist to have a special time set aside for women ONLY and not have the same opportunity for men?” Do men not get insecure around women? Are all men comfortable with their bodies?
This is why feminists get confused with “Man haters” because you want equality when it comes to things that benefit men but you have no issues if it benefits women, in fact you make up reasons as to why it’s riot the same thing. Even though it could go both ways.
If you want equality so badly make everything (other than maybe restrooms and changing rooms) UNISEX and if it’s not then you can complain…I support him