Of All the Crazy Things...

In this world you often hear the phrase 'what will they think of next'.  And, typically this means we've encountered yet another advancement, evolution or step forward in this thing we call civilization. It's a phrase of wonderment, astonishment and pride in a new technology or process.  At least, that's what it USED to mean. Now it seems this expression has more to do with incredible stupidity and a lot of head shaking, rather that the expression of awe that our forefathers probably intended it for.

The latest example of 'what will they think of next' or rather 'who in their right mind would come up with this concept' is a Canadian reality program called 'When The Women Left'.  The premise is that a small Canadian town is left 'womanless' for a week and the menfolk have to fend for themselves and their offspring (if they have any) and at the same time make a dent the thier famous 'Honey Do' lists that could include, but not limited to, painting floors, tending gardens, building fences, animal feeding and assorted other tasks that could or could not mean the downfall of their marriage/relationship or prove their worthyness at being fathers.

Now, you might think that this is a somewhat entertaining and interesting statement on todays norms and values and that it's message could serve some kind of benchmark regarding the advancements we've made as a society towards the utopian view of equality and the blurring of the traditional roles we've had in the past.  You might also think that. in the end, the men rise to the challenge and show the world that they have the resiliancy and stamina to become single parents/caregivers/flock tenders and manage to still keep themselves and thier surroundings in good order. And even if the standards are a little lower (so the shirt may not be ironed perfectly, or bath and bed time is a little later), who cares?  Everything is still functional and no one gets food poisoning and dies, and we, as viewers. not even a little concerned about what's going on without the presence of the spouses.

As it turns out, we should be concerned.

What happens when these seemingly responsible adult males are left in charge makes every stereotype of stupid man behaviour real. Between using fruits and vegetable for target practice, letting the kids play with garden implements and  forgetting basic hygene, this 'show' takes us so far back in the sociological development process, it's surprising that these people are actually walking upright.

When grown men assume the 'deer in the headlights' look just because they have to make dinner for a 4 year old, or they gag and hurl over changing a diaper, or even cry because they can't make a washing machine work (read the directions, your wife has probably put the manual in a drawer with all the other manuals), you've got to ask yourself 'is this real?'.

And when the women return, they re-assume their roles with self satisfaction and obvious pleasure that their mates couldn't get the job done, couldn't be the foundation of the house and certainly couldn't manage without them. They're smug in their reaction to the events that took place the preceding week as if they had predicted the outcome and were prepared to deal with it from the begining of the experiment. Is that real?

If so, it makes me wonder if we really are that far apart in the way each gender looks at roles and tasks and if the lines have even been blurred, never mind erased. Or is this just a scripted reality, put together by someone who wants us to shake our heads and say 'what will they think of next'.

Reality TV...let's hope it's not a widespread reality.