What Trashy Mags Have To Do With Global Warming

At the recent 92Y S.H.E Summit on women's leadership, held in New York City, civil rights attorney and TV anchor Lisa Bloom spoke about the relationship between women, the demise of the planet, and trashy magazines. Mashable reported on Bloom’s speech, highlighting her theory that the responsibility to change our planet begins with women. Bloom noted that women are almost twice as likely as men to watch reality TV, while they spend 50 percent more time caring for the next generation. Bloom's conclusion being: women are wasting the opportunity to set a positive example for their children.

"I could make the somewhat sexist but surely true statement that women care more about our children and grandchildren, and we are leaving them an overheated, messed-up planet," said Bloom.

Bloom was careful to clarify that women’s addiction to empty content was not a product of their intelligence — or lack thereof. She cited many impressive statistics regarding women’s GPAs and success rates in college. Instead, Bloom argued that women don’t have time to make a commitment to stopping the global warming. In addition to raising children and working for a pay check, women are largely responsible for housework. They are exhausted, she argued, and so many enjoy relaxing with reality television and People magazine.

"Stop doing housework!...It's not the job of the family member with the vagina," she said.

Bloom’s theory is grounded on valid statistics, but her suggestion to “Stop doing housework!” is a little accusatory. Her belief that women would feel more liberated to effect massive change if they didn’t feel so inclined to watch reality TV is also a little reductive, and certainly idealistic. We must remember that the responsibility to be informed, active, global citizens lies with those creating trashy content as well.