We recently found out the Mike Pence won’t be alone with any woman other than his wife, and that he won’t go to an event involving alcohol and mixed sexes unless she is there. At some level this sounds quaint and even sweet, but it’s been bugging me. I’ve been having trouble verbalizing why it troubles me, but this Op-ed did a nice job of putting it together.

Pence is practicing a very subtle form of sexism, but sexism nonetheless. When a man takes this attitude, he is effectively saying that it’s ok for him to have lunch alone with a man, but not with a woman. And that’s a problem. In business and politics (and pretty much life), we have non-sexual relationships with people that go beyond standard office interactions — going out for lunch/dinner, working late, or having drinks is a part of life. And if you are not willing to do that with someone b/c of their sex, and you are in a position of authority over that person, then you are limiting that person’s options and possibly their upward mobility.

I realize that Pence and many others are afraid. They are afraid of what might happen if they are alone with a woman. Some verbalize this as “I could be a victim.” And I’m calling BS on that. Are there a few women out there who will falsely accuse a man to further their career or their bank account? Of course there are. But if you live your life in fear of those people, there is something wrong with YOU. btw, there are also men who do the same thing, but they’ll come up with non-sexual ways to con you. Will you stay away from all men too? Or are you afraid that b/c it’s a woman, and you are a MAN, that you’ll go all Trumpian on any woman you see? Again, your fault. If you sexualize all relationships, then you have a problem, and perhaps your wife has a reason to be concerned.

Men and women are human beings who have to be able to work together. And Pence’s attitude (taken from Billy Graham and others) doesn’t allow for that at all levels. Regardless of his reasoning, men get precedence in his world. And that’s sexist.

Chicago Tribune Op ed