Chris Jepson: Never going back!

She’s a craze you’d endorse, she’s a powerful force

You’re obliged to conform when there’s no other course

She used to look good to me, but now I find her

Simply irresistible

Simply irresistible

—Robert Palmer

She’s a powerful force. That about sums it up.

What is it about women that has men so afraid? And for so long? Seriously, if one were to dispassionately examine the history of our species, an unbiased observer might legitimately ask, “Why do men treat women so poorly?” And for so long, I might add — thousands upon thousands of years.

It should come as no historical surprise that we’ve institutionalized men’s fear of women. Look at practically every religion going back thousands of years and a major tenet of nearly all is the subjugation and control of women. Why is that?

I joke about lineage and fatherhood with “No man knows for sure” if the child “that” woman is bearing is his and it’s always good for a few yucks. Every woman knows unequivocally what is hers. Men could only wonder. Is that the historical basis for why men have unequivocally attempted to control the “lives” of women? Limited access, limited mobility, limited rights, limited stature — all in an attempt to limit sex? Is that it? Is there any more derided, ridiculed figure in literature than that of the cuckolded man? Raising another man’s genetic “output.” Too funny. Hmmm?

Anthropologists speculate that there was a time when early human societies were more equal, some perhaps outright matriarchal. Some conjecture that once it became clear that “sex” and semen were necessary for propagation, that men began to “elevate” the status of their, uh, contribution to the process, and women became marginalized and considered as little more than brood cows for male impregnation. Understand that early humans had little comprehension of human biology. “Something” went in and voilà, babies came out. Perhaps out of that misguided ignorance, our (male) preoccupation with all things phallic began.

We may never know the exact historical causes of male fear, but no reasonable individual will argue that women are not still on the “receiving” end of male bias. It masquerades this bias as sacred scripture, as religious dogma, as church doctrine, as political party platform planks, as “conservative” societal values.

Arguably, the most significant scientific advancement of the 20th century was safe, affordable, accessible birth control for women. It was a game changer for women — for humanity. Throw in the backseat of a modern automobile and thousands of years of male control vanished virtually overnight. (Why do the Saudis so not want their women driving?)

The 1960s and ’70s were banner years for the advancement of women. All the rules of an oppressive “tradition” were challenged and many were discarded like so many restrictive bras. Breasts, bodies and minds now free, and why not? Let the girls out!

We should all advocate feminism.

To argue otherwise, however, is somewhat predictable. I expect male-dominated religions and churches to resist empowering women. Sexuality is frightening to some men. Oh, they argue, it isn’t God’s way that women should control their fertility, manage their destinies (if and when to procreate) and because “Father knows best,” well, it shall be as it has always been. Ad nauseam.

Wrong. In so many ways.

This is one genie (Jeannie) that ain’t ever going back in the bottle.

Jepson is a 24-year resident of Florida. He’s fiscally conservative, socially liberal, likes art and embraces diversity of opinion. Reach him at [email protected]