re: Sex and Sensibility
Art's about my age, whereas you are about 15 years younger, if I count correctly. (Early to mid-30s for you, yes?) You grew up in a world where assertive women were out there in public. He and I grew up in an America of suburban housewives banished from the workplace by postwar prosperity and returning veterans. I appreciate your context: it gives me hope for the future, for my daughters. But I share Art's context with him, so I understand his viewpoint very well.
Well, ta .. this means I sound (or rather, read) younger than you think - by about 10 years. I do what I can to keep my 'youthful idealism' alive, even if it sometimes makes me seem naive to some ..
(I still like Doctor Who as much, or even more, than I did when i first encountered it in 1982 .. see what I mean?)
But re Australia: I think you have the wrong impression. IMO this is a very misogynistic society .. reading Germaine Greer's early stuff could help clarify things a lot here (eg 'Female Eunuch'). In my experience, women here are much LESS inclined to speak out or express themselves than I have always believed women are in the US.
Goes to show how our own experiences shape & colour our perceptions I suppose ..
Daniel