I keep hearing this phrase about women being barefoot in the kitchen. I know its got something sexist about it but I dont get what the 'barefoot' part has to do with it. Can someone please enlighten me? :) Thanks!
2006-11-27 17:00:46 · 9 answers · asked by lucy m 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
well... it's barefoot and pregnant.
it's definitely sexist, it is a term for women's place in the house, breeding and keeping house. ( no shoes, no leaving)
2006-11-27 17:03:29 · answer #1 · answered by jen 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just means, in its simplest form, an extreme way of subjugating a woman, psychologically, if not physically. I mean, if you live in the city, there's no way you'd want to go outside without some shoes, right? The whole phrase of "barefoot and pregnant" is sort of the same thing as "barefoot in the kitchen"--it all attests to the age-old male dominant attitude of what a woman is "good for." Fortunately, times are a-changin'! Or fortunately, depending on how old you are. I still remember times when men actually opened doors for you or held the elevator door when you approached. Now, you'd be lucky not to get knocked down when getting on a bus or train! At least with the outmoded belief of all women being maternal (in the kitchen, pregnant) and vulnerable (barefoot), you got the benefit of being treated politely by some neanderthal on his way to the office. And who wants to go back to that?
2006-11-28 01:12:21 · answer #2 · answered by dangerouspoet 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Barefoot means she isn't going anywhere - she's a stay at home and take care of the house woman, while the man puts on shoes and goes to work. It can also mean she is budget conscious and doesn't have a lot of fancy clothes or shoes. Being in the kitchen means she is responsible for cooking for her family. Part of the saying also includes being pregnant, meaning she is there to bear offspring for the man. And you're right - it's sexist!
2006-11-28 01:04:10 · answer #3 · answered by Rainfog 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think that "barefoot" might be a couple of things.
The first answerer's thing about her being poor is probably correct.
Also, a barefoot person can't really go out and do things, because she has no shoes, so it could be sort of a representation of her lack of social power.
2006-11-28 01:10:28 · answer #4 · answered by drshorty 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not as bad as it sounds, folks. Not long ago, this was an agrarian society. The man went to the barn and the field, the women did the canning, cooking, feeding, cleaning, etc.
It wasn't like she didn't have a job. They both had A LOT of jobs; equally tough. Right on, S.A.H.M.s ! (Stay at Home Moms)
2006-11-28 01:17:28 · answer #5 · answered by cornbreaded23 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that the "barefoot" comment is in reguards to the woman being poor for some reason...I am assuming it is because she has chosen to stay at home and care for her family instead of throwing herself into the workforce and earning her paycheck.
2006-11-28 01:03:27 · answer #6 · answered by The Nag 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
white man's concept about women staying out of the world affairs-not voting-no politics-man rules the home-bread winner-ect.
man failed entirely as usual..couldn't even support their own drinking---and gambling and other women...
2006-11-28 01:07:17 · answer #7 · answered by cork 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think it means u not suppose to walk in a kitchen with shoes,sneakers,boots,slippers neither socks
2006-11-28 01:06:16 · answer #8 · answered by Joanne H 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i dont know
2006-11-28 01:05:19 · answer #9 · answered by mariefel q 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋