Am I Being Sexist?

There's this thought that has been running through the back of my mind lately concerning the interactions between men and women. No, it's not a dirty thought which is surprising and somewhat scary since that may be an indication that I'm getting old. Perhaps I may need to visit the doctor on that one. Seriously though, here's the deal.

I've seen a lot of examples of men interacting with women over the years, both when they are face to face and also behind the doors of the "men only" clubhouse. In other words, how men act and what they say in front of women and then how they act and talk when those women aren't around. To be honest with you, it disgusts me. I'm no saint; I can swear and say some pretty nasty stuff myself concerning women. Sometimes even shock the shockers. But it's usually in a context not directed at a specific person and meant more to simply shock rather than show a reflection on myself. But when I see and hear how too many men are, it starts to get really irritating because it's all so fake.

With that in mind, over the years I've found myself becoming more protective of women. I have a lot of friends that are female and I have to say, I think I've given them more relationship and dating advice than I have to the guys I know. Hell, I was giving dating advice to my ex-wife after the divorce. How messed up is that! But the advice is more along the lines of letting them into the "men only" clubhouse. Telling them what may really be going on. The reason for this is because I feel sorry for these women and don't want to see them getting taken advantage of by some ignoramus whose brain evolved in the wrong piece of anatomy. It's also because I don't want to hear a friend of mine talked about that way. It really comes down to just respect for another human being.

So here's the problem. I'm wondering if perhaps I've gone so far over in the opposite direction that I'm actualy being sexist but in a different way. See, I'm not sure if I'm looking at it as respect for another human being or if I'm looking at it as "these weak, gullible, defenseless women need my help". That makes me wonder; am I being just as bad as the men I despise? Am I a sexist also?