There is an interesting thread going on in MrsS involving Ladylike behavior.

I have known most of my life that 'lady' and 'ladylike' where terms used to control behavior, from what I read on the thread, I am right. I have been saved from most of the conditioning by my pig-headedness and the rather obvious fact that anything a normal man can do, I can too. I am so glad I am tall and strong naturally!

There is a different version of Ladylike in the South apparently, but I do not think I can judge it fairly.

Historically, a Lady is weak, passive and gets to do nothing I would consider fun. Who needs it?

I have taught my children that Lady is the opposite of Man, hopefully keeping them from the negative and resentfull feelings I get when I hear the word.

Manners should be the same for both sexes. You should hold the door as a courtesy to anyone and you should give their nutball beliefs the same courtesy you want yours to get.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/0...ling/index.html

this was neat. We owe it all to bicycles?

http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/wlm/notes/

After reading the article at the bottom, YES I am a feminist. Most women are though we have been taught to only have negative connotations to the word feminist. The women who aren't feminists at least had the right to make the choice not to be.

Man, once surrendering his reason, has no remaining guard against absurdities the most monstrous, and like a ship without rudder, is the spot of every wind. With such persons, gullability, which they call faith, takes the helm from the hand of reason and the mind becomes a wreck.