Man argues women wearing lipstick is too 'sexual' for the workplace
A man has faced backlash after suggesting women shouldn’t wear lipstick in a business context because it “simulates sexual arousal”.
Stefan Molyneux compared women wearing lipstick at work to a man “showing up for a business meeting with a giant artificial boner” on Twitter.
Molyneaux, a 52-year-old Canadian podcaster and YouTuber, is known for his far-right views and has previously advocated for the men’s rights movement.
On Twitter, he linked to a scientific study that he suggested supported his comments around women wearing lipstick in the workplace.
READ MORE: Is five-year-old North West too young for lipstick?
So strange.
Do you know that female lipstick simulates sexual arousal?
Can you imagine a man showing up for a business meeting with a giant artificial boner straining at his pants?
Yet lipstick is perfectly acceptable in the business world.— Stefan Molyneux (@StefanMolyneux) August 9, 2019
boom
"The association between lip colour contrast and attractiveness in women's faces may be attributable to its association with oxygenated blood perfusion indicating oestrogen levels, sexual arousal, and cardiac and respiratory health."https://t.co/8RxHhFD0yE— Stefan Molyneux (@StefanMolyneux) August 10, 2019
Molyneux was quickly met with backlash by men and women alike, with journalist and beauty expert Sali Hughes pointing out that the business necktie could also be categorised as a phallic symbol.
Meanwhile, others pointed out all the male accessories you could easily apply the similar logic towards.
Did you know the men’s neck tie was designed to draw attention downwards to the penis to attract sexual mates? Fine with that being worn to a business meeting, I’m guessing.
— Sali Hughes (@salihughes) August 10, 2019
A close male equivalent to the sexual marker enhancement of lipstick is hardly walking around with a giant hard-on. It would be more akin to padded shoulders in a business suit, or a gold watch that conveys a message of provider ability.
Man, you're really fucked up, huh?— Derek R. Audette (@DerekAudette) August 10, 2019
Did you know that the color red enhances a man’s attractiveness? Let’s ban red ties, red cars, red socks. F*ck the colour red. In fact, financial success has been known to stimulate female arousel. Break all your watches, take the bus to work, foreclose your homes so we can cope.
— TONI TONE (@t0nit0ne) August 10, 2019
Male suits enhance a man’s shoulders and figure. Ties point to the male genital area. At worst lipstick is on par with those things, not a prosthetic dick. Please stop smoking crack and allow people to wear face paint as they please.
— Hayden Quinn (@HaydenTQuinn) August 11, 2019
Others simply told him to “grow up”.
Grow up you strange and insecure man!
— chrisbowenceramics (@baronvonbowen) August 12, 2019
This doesn’t even make any sense
— Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) August 9, 2019
You sad, sad man.
— penny morgan (@pennymo72103550) August 10, 2019
While Molyneux’s views have largely been criticised, the relationship between a woman’s appearance and her work status has been a hot topic recently.
Just yesterday the former headmistress of St Paul’s Girls’ School – one of the top girls’ schools in the country – suggested being beautiful furthers a woman’s career.
What’s more, earlier this year the Dalai Lama faced an online backlash after claiming a female successor would need to be “attractive” – and should have a make-up budget.
“I think there’s an opportunity to ask whether [a female successor] can spend some money on make-up,” he said.
