He Wasn't A Doctor, But He Had Been Breastfed
With the publication of Christine Blasey Ford’s new book this month, I was catapulted back to the anger that I felt during the congressional hearings for Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
It was a master class on male entitlement.
It’s hard to know if it’s biology or culture or longer arms that have made men so much better at patting themselves on the back. When a guy is asked what he is good at, he will happily recount the slightest applause-worthy moments in his life. He’ll mention that he scored the winning touchdown in middle school, can sink a six-foot putt, and once ate 23 hot dogs on a dare. He’ll gladly add that he can hold his liquor, and can sign his name while urinating.
When women are asked what they are good at, we often hesitate, or simply draw a blank. It’s another symptom of the nice girl propaganda we were taught as children: Do not draw attention to yourself and, forgodsake, do not boast about your accomplishments.
Men tend to claim their success as evidence of skill and brilliance, while women are more likely to attribute their success to hard work, luck, and help from others.
A friend told me about a meeting she attended where the speaker asked if anyone had expertise with breast feeding. Not a single woman raised her hand, but a man stepped forward. He was not a doctor, but he had been breastfed.
A glaring example of the difference between how males and females reflect on themselves was demonstrated in the words of two Supreme Court nominees as they testified before Congress within months of each other.
As Justice Brett Kavanaugh came before Congress, his haughty demeanor, as well as his words, made it clear that he felt entitled to the job. When the questions got tough, he sputtered a dozen times that he had been the captain of his high school basketball team. He then went on to excuse testimony about his bad behavior by professing his love of beer one thousand and thirty-three times.
When the Honorable Ketanji Brown Jackson offered her acceptance speech after being appointed to the Supreme Court, she talked about how hard it was to find balance as a working mother. To the relief of women everywhere, she admitted that at times she struggled.
She did not thank her saintly spouse for holding the family together as she pursued her destiny. Instead, she spoke about their essential partnership as they sought to juggle work and family.
She refrained from mentioning her cheerleading prowess or fondness for Budweiser.