the ….. “boredom” lady represents how society looks at depressed people who made little victories … basically she’s the embodiment of how the society would look at us …. and she ….. deserves …. to be ….. hanged 🙂 and thrown into a grave ^_^
The worst part though is that the SAME people who have the attitude described in the first three panels will go on to say “god that pretty girl is such an air headed bimbo she must have slept with so many people to get where she is in life why don’t girls understand that there’s more to life than being attractive blah blah blah”
Sports and music and insanely competitive. The hot girl can marry a rich guy.
But how does society not care about the smartest girl in class? Society doesn’t care that that girl can make her a lot of money? Industry jobs that require a college degree are not as competitive and sports or music jobs.
I don’t know if things are good for women here in Denmark. The salaries aren’t 100% equal, and the top positions in companies (and boards) are still dominated by men. And so on and so forth (acknowledging there are still gender issues in our society) . Non the less I do believe that women here are judged by more than their appearance and are encouraged just as strongly as boys/men to achieve in other areas.
You drew “society” as a woman. Is that a coincidence?
Society is drawn as a woman because the original concept was a beauty pageant winner, and her name was Miss Society. In her original character design, she wore a sash that said Miss Society and it would have been easier to identify her in subsequent strips. I ended up not using the sash because it didn’t fit into the layout. Society could just as easily be a man, however, I don’t think her sex really matters, and if I had to do it again I would have modeled Society more after Donald Trump.
“I don’t think her sex really matters, and if I had to do it again I would have modeled Society more after Donald Trump.” I was actually going to make a comment to pretty much that effect (“Society’s opinions seem to be more those of an old, white, rich, male… etc”), but since you’ve already thought about it, I don’t have to. 🙂 So instead I will simply say that this comic is fantastic, and really helps me articulate what is going on in my head to the folks who do still stick around. Thankyou so much for what you do.
You are right naturally – my comment did not answer your initial question. I could make a lot of more or less educated guesses – but that would still not answer your question.
My point still being that we do not (I belive) have the depicted problem i Denmark – not as a society.
And my point being what men think about the hardships of women is largely irrelevant. I think if you talk to women, you’ll find their experience is different from what men believe to be true.
Really? Then I assume you’ve read the research that indicates that girls are more likely than boys to graduate from high school? That they make up 60% of undergraduate admissions? That, by a wide margin, men make up the majority of the homeless? That men are three times more likely to commit suicide (and don’t use that tired old line about men being less likely to seek help-women are more likely to seek help, but they’re also more likely to attempt suicide in the first place. The difference in actual success rate comes from men being more likely to choose immediately lethal methods). How about the research that indicates that when a man is aggressive, it’s considered less acceptable than when a woman is? Or the research that indicates that men make up the majority of workplace accidents? Or that women are favoured two to one in hiring practices in STEM fields? I can provide citations for these if you absolutely must have them, but then I’d need to see citations for this “research” you’ve read as well.
Of course, the hardships faced by men don’t invalidate the hardships faced by women; both genders face difficulties unique to their gender. However, let’s not imply that women automatically “have it worse”, as this comic has on several occasions. This isn’t and shouldn’t be the Suffering Olympics where somebody has to win the gold medal. We’ve seen several comics that talk about depression from a uniquely female perspective; it’d be nice to see one from a uniquely male perspective.
And are we just going to ignore the fact that this comic reflects what a man thinks about the hardships of women, having been penned by a man? Doesn’t that make it “largely irrelevant”? Moreover, does the reverse hold true; i.e. that what women think about the hardships of men is largely irrelevant? I am reminded of that one woman who lived as a man for an extended period of time and wrote a book about it; turns out that when she talked to men, she found that their experiences were different from what she, as a woman, believed to be true. I pluralized the word “experiences” on purpose, because unless you intended to imply up there that all women share one collective experience as if they have no individuality to speak of-and I bet you did, because you spoke of what men believe as if they all share one collective set of beliefs until they’re “awakened” by talking to a woman-then you ought to have pluralized it up there, too.
“Look, I have found a few stats where men actually have it worse than females! Therefore that false equivalence I just made negates your entire argument!”
Although this comic is written by a man, I do have women check it over before I draw these kinds of strips. So far you’re Man #5 to tell me I’m wrong. Still waiting for Woman #1.
“This isn’t and shouldn’t be the Suffering Olympics where somebody has to win the gold medal.” … then why are you trying to win it?
Hey – not fair! 😛 I would wager that the opposite is true as well 🙂
I just spoke to my girlfriend about it, and she hasn’t experienced any hardship like you describe in the comic. I work with young people as as professional, and I do not see the problem at the stem of entering adult society.
But then again. I still belive that the US and Denmark are VERY far apart in this issue.
From what I see from American news, movies and documentaries – I can see why it’s tougher living in the US as a woman.
Pretty Girl: I have a future? *excited* Society: You bet, and here’s what it is! You get to marry a rich, successful businessman who will mold you into the perfect woman! He will tell you how much to eat, how to dress, who you can be friends with, what level of job success you are allowed, where to live, what hobbies to have, and in return, all you have to do is take care of everything he tells you to! Pretty Girl: W-wait, what? Society: It’s the perfect life! Every woman will be jealous of you! Everyone knows that the best life for a woman is being subservient to a man! Pretty Girl: *Years later in that scenario* Why does the dream I got sold feel more like a nightmare?
Moral: What society considers the “perfect future” is always as twisted as the society itself.
Following flow’s post with my own pov Pretty Girl: I have a future? *excited* Society: You bet, and here’s what it is! You get to fuck around with every guy you desire while you are young, and in your late 20’s you can pick any successful and gorgeous male you desire to have an actual relationship with. Or if you prefer you can go to college and select there the male you want to marry instead of focusing on your own career goals! So many options! Pretty Girl: W-wait, what? Yeah!
It is sad but true, your looks do open doors and get you noticed easier. As someone that has struggled with depression and developed an eating disorder from not feeling attractive, it ruins your life not to feel good on the inside and have to deal with what validation you get from the outside world. When you don’t get any and can’t do it for yourself, everything gets turned inward, not good enough because you are not attractive enough, self hate. more depressed, suicidal etc . Vicious cycle.
I have an arsenal of swearwords for Society. Unfortunately, all of them are in Serbian and you fine ladies and gentlemen would not be able to enjoy them.
I was wondering where this lady went.
the ….. “boredom” lady represents how society looks at depressed people who made little victories … basically she’s the embodiment of how the society would look at us …. and she ….. deserves …. to be ….. hanged 🙂 and thrown into a grave ^_^
8(
Oh gee, now I know why I’m failing at life, LOL!
Wow, great way to illustrate this subject saddens me but is very true just like all your comics.
Sad but true.
I’m starting to think the furries are right, the more I see of humanity, the more I’d prefer to be an adorable cartoon squirrel……..
The worst part though is that the SAME people who have the attitude described in the first three panels will go on to say “god that pretty girl is such an air headed bimbo she must have slept with so many people to get where she is in life why don’t girls understand that there’s more to life than being attractive blah blah blah”
Yes. Stop the girl hate!
Lookism as status quo? So infuriatingly true.
Yep, spot on. 255 http://t.co/bAO8a10Kmu via @depressioncomix
I understand 2, 3 and 4 but not 1.
Sports and music and insanely competitive. The hot girl can marry a rich guy.
But how does society not care about the smartest girl in class? Society doesn’t care that that girl can make her a lot of money? Industry jobs that require a college degree are not as competitive and sports or music jobs.
E.g. http://www.cnet.com/news/women-in-tech-the-numbers-dont-add-up/
Luckily not all over the world ☺
Why is it only men who say things are going good for women where they live?
I don’t know if things are good for women here in Denmark. The salaries aren’t 100% equal, and the top positions in companies (and boards) are still dominated by men. And so on and so forth (acknowledging there are still gender issues in our society) .
Non the less I do believe that women here are judged by more than their appearance and are encouraged just as strongly as boys/men to achieve in other areas.
You drew “society” as a woman. Is that a coincidence?
My original comment still stands.
Society is drawn as a woman because the original concept was a beauty pageant winner, and her name was Miss Society. In her original character design, she wore a sash that said Miss Society and it would have been easier to identify her in subsequent strips. I ended up not using the sash because it didn’t fit into the layout. Society could just as easily be a man, however, I don’t think her sex really matters, and if I had to do it again I would have modeled Society more after Donald Trump.
“I don’t think her sex really matters, and if I had to do it again I would have modeled Society more after Donald Trump.”
I was actually going to make a comment to pretty much that effect (“Society’s opinions seem to be more those of an old, white, rich, male… etc”), but since you’ve already thought about it, I don’t have to. 🙂
So instead I will simply say that this comic is fantastic, and really helps me articulate what is going on in my head to the folks who do still stick around. Thankyou so much for what you do.
You are right naturally – my comment did not answer your initial question.
I could make a lot of more or less educated guesses – but that would still not answer your question.
My point still being that we do not (I belive) have the depicted problem i Denmark – not as a society.
And my point being what men think about the hardships of women is largely irrelevant. I think if you talk to women, you’ll find their experience is different from what men believe to be true.
I cheat – I read research.
Really? Then I assume you’ve read the research that indicates that girls are more likely than boys to graduate from high school? That they make up 60% of undergraduate admissions? That, by a wide margin, men make up the majority of the homeless? That men are three times more likely to commit suicide (and don’t use that tired old line about men being less likely to seek help-women are more likely to seek help, but they’re also more likely to attempt suicide in the first place. The difference in actual success rate comes from men being more likely to choose immediately lethal methods). How about the research that indicates that when a man is aggressive, it’s considered less acceptable than when a woman is? Or the research that indicates that men make up the majority of workplace accidents? Or that women are favoured two to one in hiring practices in STEM fields? I can provide citations for these if you absolutely must have them, but then I’d need to see citations for this “research” you’ve read as well.
Of course, the hardships faced by men don’t invalidate the hardships faced by women; both genders face difficulties unique to their gender. However, let’s not imply that women automatically “have it worse”, as this comic has on several occasions. This isn’t and shouldn’t be the Suffering Olympics where somebody has to win the gold medal. We’ve seen several comics that talk about depression from a uniquely female perspective; it’d be nice to see one from a uniquely male perspective.
And are we just going to ignore the fact that this comic reflects what a man thinks about the hardships of women, having been penned by a man? Doesn’t that make it “largely irrelevant”? Moreover, does the reverse hold true; i.e. that what women think about the hardships of men is largely irrelevant? I am reminded of that one woman who lived as a man for an extended period of time and wrote a book about it; turns out that when she talked to men, she found that their experiences were different from what she, as a woman, believed to be true. I pluralized the word “experiences” on purpose, because unless you intended to imply up there that all women share one collective experience as if they have no individuality to speak of-and I bet you did, because you spoke of what men believe as if they all share one collective set of beliefs until they’re “awakened” by talking to a woman-then you ought to have pluralized it up there, too.
“Look, I have found a few stats where men actually have it worse than females! Therefore that false equivalence I just made negates your entire argument!”
Although this comic is written by a man, I do have women check it over before I draw these kinds of strips. So far you’re Man #5 to tell me I’m wrong. Still waiting for Woman #1.
“This isn’t and shouldn’t be the Suffering Olympics where somebody has to win the gold medal.” … then why are you trying to win it?
Oh my goodness Clay, jedi hugs to you.
Thank you so much for listening to women, Clay!
Hey – not fair! 😛
I would wager that the opposite is true as well 🙂
I just spoke to my girlfriend about it, and she hasn’t experienced any hardship like you describe in the comic.
I work with young people as as professional, and I do not see the problem at the stem of entering adult society.
But then again. I still belive that the US and Denmark are VERY far apart in this issue.
From what I see from American news, movies and documentaries – I can see why it’s tougher living in the US as a woman.
Society is a bitch.
Precisely………………….
This is why we need more affirmation sites like A Mighty Girl. Celebrate female achievement! And tell Society to shut the hell up.
Society (or her perceived projection) is nasty, but I like the strips with her, because she’s so pretty and she’s an eye candy to look at.
You and Society have a lot in common. And no, I’m not talking about your looks. 🙂
Pretty Girl: I have a future? *excited*
Society: You bet, and here’s what it is! You get to marry a rich, successful businessman who will mold you into the perfect woman! He will tell you how much to eat, how to dress, who you can be friends with, what level of job success you are allowed, where to live, what hobbies to have, and in return, all you have to do is take care of everything he tells you to!
Pretty Girl: W-wait, what?
Society: It’s the perfect life! Every woman will be jealous of you! Everyone knows that the best life for a woman is being subservient to a man!
Pretty Girl: *Years later in that scenario* Why does the dream I got sold feel more like a nightmare?
Moral: What society considers the “perfect future” is always as twisted as the society itself.
Following flow’s post with my own pov
Pretty Girl: I have a future? *excited*
Society: You bet, and here’s what it is! You get to fuck around with every guy you desire while you are young, and in your late 20’s you can pick any successful and gorgeous male you desire to have an actual relationship with. Or if you prefer you can go to college and select there the male you want to marry instead of focusing on your own career goals! So many options!
Pretty Girl: W-wait, what? Yeah!
It is sad but true, your looks do open doors and get you noticed easier. As someone that has struggled with depression and developed an eating disorder from not feeling attractive, it ruins your life not to feel good on the inside and have to deal with what validation you get from the outside world. When you don’t get any and can’t do it for yourself, everything gets turned inward, not good enough because you are not attractive enough, self hate. more depressed, suicidal etc . Vicious cycle.
I have an arsenal of swearwords for Society. Unfortunately, all of them are in Serbian and you fine ladies and gentlemen would not be able to enjoy them.
its not true
i am insanely beautiful
and by god one of the most lonliest people on earth
Not sure where it says beautiful people can’t be lonely.
You are rare, i’m saying in a good sense… or bad? WTF did I know?