You are so right, in my view. Sadly, I have often been criticised by women for writing about this, apparently because I am a man. I say, 'sadly', because surely it will take a major change in men's understanding of to what they've become conditioned as well as real effort to understand how women really feel.

So often, still - in 2024 and in a supposedly educated, developed and rich nation, I see 'jokes' in television shows or films that re-hash inappropriate stereotypes of women, their characteristics and their role. Yes, it can and does happen in relation to men, too, but to nowhere near the same extent as far as I can tell. I admit that I don't have figures to support me, only my own experiences but if I was a gambler and the opportunity came about, I would put my shirt on my observation.

However, I must admit that there are times when I've virtually stopped writing on this topic because I've begun to wonder whether it is my place, given that so many women seem to feel that it's not. Then, out of the blue, I'll get an appreciate response from a woman and it will encourage me to carry on.

To any woman who is upset or disturbed or feels it inappropriate for me to write about sex roles and experiences, I apologise for I don't mean to claim any special knowledge - I just wish to learn, to improve my own understanding and empathy and to live in a society where biological sex or culturally defined gender are secondary to the reality that we are all human beings - people - and we share many universalities.

Take care. Stay safe. ☮️