Does society tend to infantilize women?

[ShadowofRegret]

This is not some kind of attack or anything, just something I have been wondering about.

Definition: "treat (someone) as a child or in a way which denies their maturity in age or experience."

[Lliam]

No. Compared to men, women appear physically immature because of their small stature, voice, and lack of facial and body hair. Hence diminutive terms of endearment like little, girl, baby, and the Latin suffix, ita. Women also try to look youthful and enjoy being considered cute. At the same time, it's obvious that a person with hips and boobs isn't an immature male.
When it comes to emotions and intellect, women are just as smart, capable and mature as men.
Men who don't appreciate that are, themselves, weak and immature.
Women are sexualized to be sure, but I don't think there is a big conspiracy to infantilize women. Some women just need to put on their big girl panties and stop playing the victim card. There are plenty of confident women out there who celebrate their femininity but don't put up with being treated as less than fully grown bad asses.

[SuperManiac]

I sometimes think it's a more recent trend. At least when I was a boy, it seemed more like the idea of a "woman" was celebrated -- mature, sophisticated, intelligent, not trying to look or act much younger than she is, this sort of a thing. Then it seemed as I was getting older, the more cute and young and innocent sort of look seemed to take over. I might be looking at this with biased ideas, but it really seems that way to me.

[SuperManiac]

[...] I might be looking at this with biased "eyes", but it really seems that way to me.

[SuperManiac]

Like with that GIF, it's not like we had GIFs in the 80s but I don't think there was even a minority of girls who would pose and do baby-talk and stuff like that to appeal to people. I seem to recall a much older and more mature look being popular and the norm, not just in the media but locally in our neighborhoods, in the men selected and favored.

And to some extent I see this trend with guys too -- less focus on rugged and hard men, but more the boyish look -- cute, shy, sweet, that sort of thing -- at least that's becoming popular in Japan, but I also started seeing that a bit in the US more with boy bands and the like.

[SuperManiac]

[...] in the [women that] men selected and favored.

[SuperManiac]

Also, the cartoons have changed like that too in my perception. Like when I was a boy, here are some samples from cartoons that were popular:




It's like the women were shaped like grown women. And guys like men:


And of course, there were some cartoons that had those skinny and infantile types, but not so mainstream. Then now what's most popular looks to me like the boy band looks, the infantile girl look, that sort of thing.

[SuperManiac]

Also, my recollection is admittedly fuzzy but I think I even observed a changing of everyday language. I don't recall the term "cute" being used as a widespread compliment towards grown men and women.

[ShadowofRegret]

I certainly agree with you! And truth to be told, it was the same way for me, when I was growing up, mature women like you described were usually considered ideal, but as I got older, it seems to have changed to the younger girlish type, I live in the US, but the whole "cute girl" thing is actually quite alien to me since it was not what most thought was ideal in a woman when I was growing up.

[weasley8]

Sometimes. Some people experience it more than others. I have a baby face, and I can be kind of silly sometimes. So people have a very strong tendency to treat me like a child. I think it has to do with the fact that many facial traits that are considered feminine are things that are typically seen in infants. (Big eyes, red cheeks, etc.). Women also have higher voices, and are generally smaller. It's a natural association to make, in light of all that, but it's still annoying, and it's still something that people should try to avoid doing if they are aware of it.

[ShebaDiamond]

Well us women do benefit fron a hypocritical system that says we are strong but we need the system to pay for our single moms, unequal custody laws, we can murder babies after getting pregnant, we can vote without signing the draft, we can stab, shoot or drown men and not even go to jail. Its crazy we literally have all the privileges and ZERO RESPONSIBILITIES. NOT GOOD AT ALL

[ronaldo75]

They do it to themselves but partly it's all this coddling that society does with women. They're never wrong. They're always the victims. Men are always the bad guys. Girl power now has it to where women are given awards practically for existing. Even when women make a mistake it's someway some how a man's fault OR it's celebrated as "flaws are what make me unique"... that's how you treat children. Not adults.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes, yes. Sometimes, no.
It infantilizes them when it suits their protection and needs. When they decide they want to do something society flips and treats them as though they can do no wrong.

[Opinion Owner]

Also, I've always liked that GIF, I find quite soothing and emotionally satisfying.

[ShadowofRegret]

Nothing wrong with that.

[MissDawn7961]

I do not know for sure but I think so ! what is worse is being thought of as a - dumb blond - which those who say this will one day wish they were not so ignorant by using this term ! Thanks

[moparbreed]

Some people are just geared to be like that they can't take a younger person's advice. I always had bosses younger than me just have to just and over come. there is nothing wrong in work and having a little fun

[Hurlyburly]

Traditionally, yes. Luckily this isn't as much of a case as it used to be.

[DWornock]

I don't know that women are treated as children. However, they do receive favored treatment, in the workplace, in criminal courts, and in general in out current society.

[derek2017]

No I believe it's done because they act like children anyways!

[Thatsamazing]

"Does society" uhhh... that clip was made BY the girl in it. So... what does "society" have to do with it.

[Mädchen]

She is doing it cause she get's validation online. There are enough people into this.

[Thatsamazing]

@Mädchen Right... she gets validation online. Exactly. So...

[Mädchen]

People only are Part of the society

[Mädchen]

*people online

[Thatsamazing]

@Mädchen Yes... correct. I fail to see the point you're making.

[Mädchen]

You asked what society has to do with this.

[Thatsamazing]

@Mädchen Yes... but my point is that it has nothing to do with it-- she, whoever she is, is the one who made ^ this video clip up there. Not "society." My point is that if any "infantilizing" is going on, she's doing it to herself, not someone else doing it to her.

[Djaay]

I dont really believe thats the accual reason for this acquisition.
Its immaturity that illicits that type of response and its immaturity that responds in such a away.

[esotericstory]

Ugh I hate it when this happens. First they act like a child and then they are confused it attracts freaks.

[Mädchen]

Yes definetly. And that GIF Made me cringe

[ShadowofRegret]

Me too...

Which is why I thought it was perfect.

[Caunsos]

I would say you definitely find examples but there so many archetypes that women can fill.

[Liam_Hayden]

Yes, some elements do. Other elements degrade men - just look at commercials, for example.

[MoscowMitch]

Of course, why else would we refer to adult women as "girls"?

[NickiB]

Nah just some women do that to themselves

[Hydrogen]

No, those girls are just mentally challenged.

[Shamalien]

oh no we neeeever do that XD

[hammo21]

Yes we do.

[Anonymous]

Yes, absolutely.