Misogymist

mi·sog·y·nist

məˈsäjənist/

noun

1. 1.

   a person who dislikes, despises, or is strongly prejudiced against women.

or

noun

1.

a person who hates, dislikes, mistrusts, or mistreats women.

I've come across this attitude in men; however, I've recently been exposed to negative attitudes from women, and not because they are in an authority position.

Rather, because they aren't - um - married. In some conservative Christian circles if you're not married you aren't 'worthy'.  In some, if you're married but not popping out babies every couple of years, well, what's wrong with you?!

Now no one comes right out and says it like that...but if you're 20+ and not married, well, you old spinster you!  God forbid you're in your 30s or 40s and never married.  Seems to completely mitigate the God is sovereign theology (God is in control).

It's the smug attitude which sort of chaps my hiney - 'I'm married' and have somehow 'achieved' a higher plane or 'arrived'.  Really?

'I'm married and have children. I'm fulfilling the scriptural commandment which says a woman will be 'saved' in childbearing.'  Really?

The attitude isn't much better if you've been married and are widowed (or divorced, which in some circles is almost akin to being a leper) and haven't remarried.  Really?

As if those who haven't yet married, but have a desire and longing to be married are somehow inferior?

So ladies are we judging one another by our marital status or reproduction ability?  Or rather are we looking at each other as Christ does, as His image bearers?  Concerned about the eternal state versus the temporal?  Praying for those who wish to be married but by God's design aren't yet?

Statistically the 'pool' of male/female isn't in our favor.  Especially as we age.  If you live in the United States here's a visual:

Blue is for boys; pink is for girls.  :-)  Courtesy of Business Insider, which lists the ratio per state.  Men are more plentiful in the Northwest?  Or fare better in colder states?

If men who only see a woman's value in her bed warming, baby making, bread baking capacity are objectifying, what are women doing?  How are we supporting and/or encouraging those whom the Lord hasn't allowed (or doesn't decree) they marry (or remarry)?

What attitudes do we have and/or project?  What causes a woman to have value?  Are we valuing one another for who we are in Christ?