My Girl Friend's Back

Gina: You clearly have no understanding of feminist theory, or you would not have embarrassed yourself with that ignorant question. If you had ever read the works of Gilligan, you would realize that, in addition to infantile senses of humor, males also have an infantile sense of right and wrong. They are born that way, and never mature.

Gene: Did he write that before or after he was on the island?

Gina: See my first point, above. As far as a male sense of ethics, it is all black and white; good and bad; you're wrong, I'm right; bite me. Women understand that judgments about morality and ethics should be more nuanced and situational and defy toggle-switch logic, and also must be governed by a sense of proportion. Carol Gilligan actually confirms this.

Behavioral research has shown that when boys are on a playground playing some game and a dispute arises, they will argue about who is right until the bell rings to end recess. Then, after school, they'll continue the debate; fisticuffs may or may not ensue. Whereas, if girls are playing and there is a dispute, they change games, because they understand that preserving friendship and harmony is more important than arbitrary, artificial and ultimately meaningless constructs about ethics or fairness. That's why girls play together so much better than boys.

Gene: Okay, then if what you did to incur my anger is situationally defensible, you will have no objection to my describing it right here in lavish detail.

Gina:

Gene: Well?

Gina: I'm thinking strategically here.

Gene: Women are good at that! Take your time.

Gina: All right. If my pain will bring you pleasure, if that is the nature of your appetites -- the sort of thing you need to achieve satisfaction -- I will submit.

Gene:

Gina: Do it.