Women have been the target of “jokes” for centuries, and frankly, it’s getting old.
These tired, sexist attempts at humour aren’t just unfunny—they’re obnoxious and can actually be kind of harmful. They perpetuate stereotypes and contribute to a culture that diminishes women’s experiences. It’s time to call out these so-called jokes for what they are: outdated and offensive. Here are 17 things women are tired of hearing men joke about.
1. Women being bad drivers
This stereotype is not only inaccurate but dangerous. It undermines women’s confidence behind the wheel and perpetuates the idea that certain skills are gender-specific. Statistics show that women are actually safer drivers than men, with fewer accidents and traffic violations.
2. Women taking forever to get ready
This joke ignores the societal pressures women face to look perfect at all times. It also fails to acknowledge the double standard where men can throw on anything and be deemed presentable, while women are judged harshly for not meeting unrealistic beauty standards.
3. Women being overly emotional
Source: Unsplash Labelling women as “emotional” dismisses their legitimate feelings and concerns. It’s a tactic used to invalidate women’s opinions and experiences. Emotions are human, not female, and it’s time we stopped using them as a punchline.
4. Women being bad at maths or science
This “joke” is not only false, but harmful to girls and women pursuing STEM fields. It perpetuates the gender gap in these industries and discourages young women from following their passions. Women have made significant contributions to maths and science throughout history.
5. Women being obsessed with shopping
This stereotype reduces women to shallow consumers, ignoring their diverse interests and passions. It also overlooks the fact that many women shop out of necessity, not for fun, and that plenty of men enjoy shopping too.
6. Women being gold diggers
This offensive joke implies that women are only interested in men for their money. It disregards women’s own financial independence and success, and paints a cynical view of relationships. It’s time to stop reducing women’s motivations to stereotypes.
7. Women belonging in the kitchen
Source: Unsplash This “joke” is a relic of outdated gender roles. It ignores the fact that many professional chefs are men and that cooking is a basic life skill everyone should have. It’s not funny; it’s sexist and promotes harmful stereotypes.
8. Women being naggy or bossy
Source: Unsplash Labelling assertive women as “naggy” or “bossy” is a way to undermine their authority and leadership. These same traits in men are often praised as being decisive or strong. It’s time to stop punishing women for speaking up.
9. Women being bad at sports
This joke ignores the incredible achievements of female athletes across all sports. It perpetuates the idea that athleticism is inherently masculine and discourages girls from participating in sports. Women’s sports deserve respect, not ridicule.
10. Women being obsessed with their weight
Joking about women’s weight or dieting habits ignores the intense societal pressure women face to conform to unrealistic body standards. It’s not a laughing matter; it can contribute to serious mental health issues and eating disorders.
11. Women being bad with technology
This stereotype is not only false but also harmful to women in tech industries. It ignores the countless women who have pioneered advancements in technology and continues to discourage girls from pursuing careers in this field.
12. Women being difficult to understand
The “women are complicated” joke is a lazy way to avoid genuine communication and understanding. It puts the onus on women to be more “simple” rather than encouraging men to listen and empathise better.
13. Women using physical intimacy as a weapon
This joke promotes a harmful view of relationships and sexuality. It portrays women as manipulative and sex as a transactional tool rather than a mutual expression of intimacy. It’s time to stop reducing relationships to stereotypes.
14. Women being bad with money
This stereotype ignores the many women who are financial experts, successful investors, and responsible with their finances. It perpetuates the outdated idea that women can’t handle money and should leave financial decisions to men.
15. Women always wanting to talk about feelings
This joke mocks emotional intelligence and open communication, which are crucial for healthy relationships. It also reinforces the harmful idea that men shouldn’t express their emotions, which is detrimental to everyone.
16. Women being attention-seekers
Labelling women as attention-seekers is often a way to dismiss their achievements or belittle their concerns. It’s a tactic used to silence women and minimise their contributions to conversations and society.
17. Women not being funny
The idea that women aren’t funny is not only false, but also a way to exclude women from comedy and entertainment. There are countless hilarious women in comedy, and it’s time to acknowledge that humour isn’t gender-specific.
