Sunday, May 23, 2010

Not a dirty word...

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChK8XgO69ubg97SElSqJlkPECoe_a0kxe6mGvLUxSuoxiz9H7umpJts2nELhCdouUv8PqN2_BdCVQ3ulG-mtP34A7K-krtvRkQ_Co1Hzhs9k6J8zvrsSnl0rnpwV7q3mOE5EMWLjoFEo/s400/vintage+housewife.jpg

When I posted my story about David's injured scrotum, I expected plenty of responses, because I ask you, is there anything funnier than a story about torn testicles as the result of hair removal gone wrong?

No, dear Internet, there is not.

I was surprised however, to find that a small group of readers were offended by my post.

No, it wasn't because of the slightly blue subject matter, it was because of one word.

"Housewives."

Several of the women with whom David dances were upset that I referred to them as housewives.

I was kind of shocked.

I am housewife. Most of my best friends are housewives. I love being a housewife!

I had no idea that being called a housewife was an insult. One woman wanted me to change the language. I tried explaining that when I used the term "housewives" it was in a story that had nothing to do with the women with whom he was dancing. It was a story about my husband being a idiot.

My point, I suppose, when I used the term "housewives" was that this is not a group of professional dancers, nor a group of young dancers (Not that they're old! I swear!). This a group of women, most of whom are wives and mothers, many of whom work outside of their homes, who get together for a dance class once a week and have a blast.

None of them have injured themselves because they are far too sensible for that. They dance, they have fun, they go home. They do not require ice packs and daily chiropractic care after their class.

Furthermore, the point which I was trying to humorously convey, is that my husband has managed to injure his favorite body parts, repeatedly and painfully, to appear in what should be a "fun" performance, not a "destroy your reproductive organs" performance.

So what have I learned from this experience?

That you should never call someone a housewife and that the removal of band-aid's from testicles causes swearing and weeping.

Live and learn.

7 comments:

Cheryl said...

I was surprised to see a big NOTE added to the definition of housewife on dictionary.com:

"Housewife is offensive to some, perhaps because of an implied contrast with career woman (just a housewife) and perhaps because it defines an occupation in terms of a woman's relation to a man. Homemaker is a common substitute."

I know that wasn't your central theme and I also understand how you use the term with pride. Not every woman feels as you do. No one has ever mistaken me for a housewife. However, I do get get referred to as a lady or a girl. Neither label sits well with me. I am simply a woman.

It's your blog Sara. Roll baby, roll.

Anonymous said...

*sigh
With two college degrees behind me and busting am A$$ for many years in a world that doesn't appreciate ya (medical, worked in the OR)....I couldn't be prouder to be called a housewife!! It is the hardest and yet most rewarding thing I have ever done....even over those degrees!!
Sorry it hurt their feelings! Maybe...NM!!
I love staying home and being rewarded with kisses and hugs by my 3 babies and beautiful hard working hubby!
You can call me a housewife anytime....please just don't call me OLD!

Your Pal Val and The princess of kisses!

Anonymous said...

Tip: You use Goo Gone to get band-aid's off testicles.

Anonymous said...

Housewife is a lovely word. As long as it doesn't have "just a" in front of it.

Julie said...

Wow, I never even noticed you said that. Let me tell you there are many days I would love to be "just a housewife." As a career woman it sucks because it includes the outside job plus all the duties that housewives have in all micromanaged bits of time. I would love to not have to work outside the home but no one else has offered to pay my bills. It was nice of you to apologize. For many of us readers, though, it simply is a nonissue.

Anonymous said...

I dont consider myself a housewife...I guess if I were not married at all and I were in that class with David I'd feel a little weird...cuz I would be single and not a wife of anything and not wanting to be married to caring for a house? I think it's a word that was created long ago and perhaps needs updating but would I be mad or offended about it? Probably not. I can see why others might, though, and no offense to anyone who considers it a lovely thing to be! Ugg now I bored myself with my reply. -Ms.TT

Lisa said...

OH MY! I never knew you were so un PC! LMAO Ok Sorry. I'd KILL to be a house wife!!! Forget this work junk!!
Sorry for David!
Hugs, Lisa