Subtitle: How they show the persistance of sex-role stereotypes
(This article discusses the RNC and Schwarzenegger's comment, and also aludes to Democrats using the term, although they're saying it was Maureen Dowd who "heard a Democrat" using it, so consider the source)
"During the recent Republican National Convention, Schwarzenegger brought the cheering crowd to its feet when he declared: "And to those critics who are so pessimistic about our economy, I say: Don't be economic girlie men."
The term "girlie man" came from a Saturday Night Live skit. There, two Schwarzenegger-imitating weightlifters used the term to mock those they considered their physical inferiors - those with less disproportionately huge biceps.
Schwarzenegger first used the "girlie men" term to attack his political opponents back in July. Then, he used it to characterize those California legislators with whom he was stalemated over the state's budget.
Some of those who were offended asked for an apology - on the ground, for example, that the term was often used to derogate gay men. But no apology was forthcoming. Indeed, a spokesperson for Schwarzenegger described the comment as an "an effective way to convey wimpiness." And later, Schwarzegger argued that people should just lighten up about his remarks, for he had merely meant the term as "a joke."
http://writ.news.findlaw.com/commentary/20040921_mcclain.html
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