On proper feminist automobile behavior

Posted at 1:14 PM Nov 25, 2009

By Andrea Grimes

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I never thought my aversion to being in cars I'm not actually driving could be a feminist issue, but according to the New York Times Freakonomics blog, it just might be. Eric Morris takes on travel-related gender issues in today's post and, apparently, a forthcoming series. Come for the interesting statistics, stay for the sweeping and yet simplistic statements about gender equality and feminism. Women are totes liberated, 'cause we can vote and wear pants!

Women can now vote and are free to wear pants without provoking a social scandal. At the turn of the 20th century, if you visited a doctor, there was only a five percent chance he would be a she; today, women constitute half (and climbing) of the medical-school population. And for what it's worth, I now report to the UCLA Urban Planning department's "chair" instead of its "chairman" and am represented by a Los Angeles city "councilmember" instead of a "councilman."

In some ways, transportation is no exception to this leveling process. But despite all our efforts to create a gender-blind society, even in the 21st century sex plays an important role.

Indeed, the conclusion of the slogan "you've come a long way, baby" ironically demonstrates that women had not come quite as long a way as they might have hoped. Even now, important gender differences persist, and they show up quite clearly in the realm of transportation. For example, consider the commute to and from work. Using data from the American Housing Survey, UCLA's Randall Crane found that, as of 2005, male drivers averaged a 14.1 mile commute and women an 11.8 mile one (gated). Males spent 23.5 minutes getting to work while females averaged only 21.1 minutes.

Why the difference? And is it narrowing over time, as we would expect if women are inexorably marching to greater equality?

Inexorably marching to greater equality! Holy cow. I mean, we can wear pants, after all. Jesus H., we're practically running the place! Continue inexorably marching, ladies! Nothing can stop us now! Except the continued propogation of gender stereotypes, oppression, mistreatment and inequality that continues despite that "inexorable marching!"

What's more, the "woman driver" stereotype hasn't quite deserted us entirely; as Tom Vanderbilt reported in his book Traffic, men and woman are more likely to honk at woman drivers than male ones. And, perhaps surprisingly, University of Washington sociologist Pepper Schwartz reports that in 9 of 10 households that identify themselves as "feminist," the man does most of the driving when both partners are in the car.

Speaking for this lady right here, I can't stand to ride in a car with anyone besides a designated driver chauffeuring my drunk ass around. Boyfriend or no--I prefer to be in the driver's seat. I can't wait to see what Morris determines that says about my inexorable gender equality lady march.