Katherine Schwarzenegger’s Weird and Reductive Criticism of Women Is Exhausting But Predictable
Katherine Schwarzenegger, come get your man, because apparently you can’t do anything without him. Which is sad, but also not surprising.
Recently, Schwarzenegger shared a video on Instagram of husband Chris Pratt building a dollhouse for their daughter with the caption “I’ll never understand when women say ‘I don’t need my husband’ when I very much in fact do need my husband because who else would build our daughters a doll house?”
It’s inarguable that what Pratt is doing is sweet, and it’s great he’s a father who is willing to do this for his kids (unless they’re a specific kid, of course). I know my dad built me a number of things throughout my childhood. But my mom did as well, and I think I’ve built more furniture with her than things I’ve ever built with my dad. In fact, I actually learned everything I know from her–she’s the parent who taught me how to build things on my own and be independent. She’s the one I go to for advice about those kinds of things.
However, Schwarzenegger’s comments are reductive towards all of the progress women have made. “I’ll never understand”? That sounds like a you problem. Lean on your husband, sure, but don’t put down the women and wives who can stand on their own two feet and prove that they are just as capable as a man.
“Wives and women can build doll houses, too”
Instagram comments quickly pointed out how myopic Schwarzenegger’s caption is by her indirectly putting down independent woman. The comment section is a mixed bag, but several do stand out with honest criticisms.
One top commenter wrote, “Women can do that. We can buy our own homes and vote, too! ?”
Another pointed out, “No one says ‘I don’t need my husband.’ They say ‘I don’t need a MAN.'”
Someone else said, “You. You could do it. How nice that he did but it’s either tone deaf or passive aggressive to say you’ll ‘never understand.'”
That’s the comment that hits the proverbial nail on the head with why Schwarzenegger’s viewpoint is so problematic. You can argue all day that it’s a harmless caption and she never intended it to be taken that way. You can say “liberal women” are overreacting online to something that isn’t their business. But the fact of the matter is that it is our business.
We are still having to fight for our rights, especially our reproductive rights. Gen Z boys are getting raised on people like the deeply misogynistic Andrew Tate. There are men who still view us as objects. So I’m sorry for not agreeing with Schwarzenegger, but I’m over here, single, building my own furniture. I’d much rather be independent than reliant.
(featured image: JB Lacroix/FilmMagic)
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