A man was teaching the "Intro to Women's Studies" course and, to Jenny, that was just the definition of patriarchy. She had come to school to learn how to be the most impactful woman she could in the world. She was minoring in Women's Studies and majoring in Business, in hopes of changing the business landscape and furthering the progress of women everywhere.
But if Jenny was expected to learn how to be an impactful woman by a man, she was going to have words about that. It was her third class of Freshman year, but the one that she was looking forward to most. She had written several comments that she planned to deliver to this symbol of the patriarchy. And if he didn't step down from his position in the class, she would go to the administration. She was paying good money to learn at this school and she wasn't going to settle for second-class education, much less on one of the most important issues of Jenny's time.
When she shuffled into class, Jenny found that most of the class were women. A quick check-in with nearby girls let Jenny know that most of her classmates were fellow Women's Studies minors and they were equally dismayed to have a man be leading this course. Jenny's excitement to deliver he scathing remarks only increased.
As the clock struck 2, the door opened and a man stepped in. He wasn't much older than the students, but he marched to the front of the room and turned to address the class.
"Hello ladies," he said, immediately setting Jenny on edge. Of course he would use a classifying term in his first sentence of teaching. "I am Professor Smith and I am going to be teaching this class."
Immediately, Jenny's arm shot into the air. She readied herself for a verbal volley.
"No questions," Professor Smith said. "Please wait until the end."
Jenny's arm fell back down immediately.
"You may be wondering why a man is teaching the introductory women's studies course," Professor Smith said. "It's quite simple. Most women agree that this is a man's world. Women struggle and fight for equivalent treatment and respect. Therefore, who better to teach you how to survive in a man's world than a man himself?" Jenny hated to admit it, but that actually made some sense. Maybe she was overthinking things earlier.
"Therefore, over the course of this semester, I will be teaching you how to be successful women in a man's world. We will tear down false gender roles and expectations and ensure that your place in society is one where you are most empowered and serve the greatest good. Most important of all, you will learn that sex is not a weakness to overcome, it is an advantage to embrace." Jenny was sure that he meant sexual identity, but for a moment Jenny thought she saw Professor Smith's eyes drop down to the chest of a particularly well-endowed girl in the front row.
By the end of the class, Jenny had forgotten about her speeches and objections. She was intensely interested in what Professor Smith was teaching and she decided that she might end up liking this course after all.
"Women have long misunderstood the role of their wardrobes in their presentation," Professor Smith explained. "They have sought to echo men and camouflage their femininity by dressing in suits and pants. Essentially, these women hope to be misinterpreted as man, and therefore trick others into respecting them." Professor Smith shook his head sadly. "They lose the inherent advantage that the so-called fairer sex holds and they demonstrate a lack of confidence in their own sexual identity."
He clicked a button and the slide projected changed to show the same woman in two images. The first showed her in business attire, with a jacket and pants. The next showed her in a fitted black dress.
"This is the same woman," Professor Smith said, "but in one case she has embraced her sexual identity, that of a woman. In the other, she is pretending to be a man. If you are to succeed in the male-dominated world, you must be wiling to embrace your identity of a woman. Lean into the advantages that this role gives you. And embody that identity and the freedom that comes with it.
"It's time to stop using 'sexy' as a word to be avoided. Sexiness is an attribute that women can use to make their way in the male-dominated world." He pointed up to the two pictures on the projector screen again. "Ask any man which woman they would rather spend time with. They will pick the woman who is not afraid to be a woman."
Jenny's hand flew as she took notes. She noticed every women around her similarly enraptured by the Professor's words.
"I encourage each and every one of you," Professor Smith continued, "to perform a social experiment. First, walk around campus dressed in professional attire. Then, walk around campus dressed as a fun-loving woman. Wear the short skirt. Wear the low neckline. Show off some skin. And then ask yourself which outfit got you the more attention from men?
"If you are going to succeed in a male-dominated world, then you need to be noticeable. And the first and best way to be noticeable is to appeal to the first impression. Be sexy. Be hot. It's how women make their presence known before men."
Jenny embraced her homework enthusiastically. She wore a short skirt and a low-cut halter top and paraded around the campus. She watched as men's gazes followed her, completely enraptured. One particular group of men stopped mid-conversation as she walked past, each and every one following her with their eyes as she passed.
Then, she tried it with the professional attire. Not one man looked at her.