My Lack of A Cover Fee Does Not Compensate for Gender Inequality

Washington Square News ^ | September 29, 2017 | Tyler Crews

[SamAdams76]

“No, I totally don’t mind that girls get in for free. It’s only fair with all of the sh-t you have to deal with!” exclaimed a freshman boy while debriefing his night at an NYU fraternity party. I have heard so many variations of this statement from different people across campus, which all boil down to the same concept: it is okay that girls do not have to pay to get in at parties and clubs because it makes up for the gender inequality we face in our day-to-day lives. Frankly, this line of thought is ludicrous.

The reason men pay cover charges and women do not is so that there is a larger ratio of women to men, resulting in a greater range of women for a heterosexual guy to choose from. The entire model is founded upon the ideology that women are there to serve as attractions, while the man’s role is to pay for the all-inclusive experience. We are the scenery, and they are the wallets. While the lack of cover fees attract women, the men are inclined to pay more at a party or club that is full of women. It is a supply and demand model of sorts. More girls present means more guys will come, and more guys means more money. While the system may be beneficial for the hosts of the party or event, who are typically men, it perpetuates the values that women have been trying for decades to fight against. A man paying my cover fee is not out of sincerity or respect to the struggles of women, but rather to have a better chance of getting in my pants at the end of the night.

I understand that this system has worked in the past, however, we are at a time where what worked in the past will not make the cut anymore. This marketing strategy operates under the assumptions: men have the money, all people are straight and there are only two gender identities. However, these are false assumptions to make in today’s society. With a global movement towards personal pride and self love, we are starting to see an era where straight men aren’t the only ones running the game anymore.

We have been content with these conditions because they were comfortable. Women would be foolish to deny something that is free, and men would be ridiculous to go out to a club or event that had fewer women. Why would anyone want to change? Sometimes you have to sacrifice your own comfort for a long term societal goal. If we want to see improvement in our society, we better get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

[SamAdams76]

Deep thoughts from a college goer.

[D Rider]

What a moron.

[BwanaNdege]

“Improvements” - as determined by whom?

[sphinx]

The young lady is a bit confused. The sexes are asymmetrical in their attitudes towards sex. Casual sex, the pickup culture and college/club meat markets are vastly less attractive to women. Girls of course want to meet guys, but price elasticities are very different. A lot of young women would look at a cover fee, shrug and walk away. Not all of them, but enough to shoot the gender ratio all to heck.

[heartwood]

I don’t think she is a moron. She has correctly analyzed the economics. Same reasoning led me to want to pay my own way on dates.

[hanamizu]

“Sometimes you have to sacrifice your own comfort for a long term societal goal.”

---

I’m sure any club or party will gladly accept her money if she chooses to pay her way in.

[Mermaid Girl]

Okay, so speaking as a former young woman — free drinks is a bad thing? Men pay, women get in for free, willing parties look to hook up. Um... if she feels its so demeaning, she could always ... oh... I dunno... not... go?

Man... I was a ditz in my day, but not that ditzy. I also went to the cool clubs (black lights, alt music: Cure, Sisters, Nick Cave, etc) that didn’t start attracting the squares until the early 90s... but I digress... I mean, I guess she could also join a bowling league... or watch tv or read on Saturday nights...

I mean... if she wants whatever it is she wants. I give up.

And on second thought, I was never that ditzy.

[SuperLuminal]

Hogwash!

[arthurus]

Bars drop the cover fee for women so that they can have a better balance of women to men. Women do not frequent bars at nearly the rate of men and letting them in free sells lots more drinks as the men tend to buy two at a time when there is a woman to hustle.

[outofsalt]

Idiots! You can show up late, skip the cover charge and hit on the girls that are already lubed. The closer to last call the better you look. (Yes, it cuts both ways.)

[Jamestown1630]

Yes. She understands Capitalism.

She just doesn't put much store by it. In a perverse and tangential way, it reminds me of the saying:

"If You Are Not a Liberal at 25, You Have No Heart. If You Are Not a Conservative at 35 You Have No Brain."

When she actually grows up to be a Woman, she may see things differently.

[SauronOfMordor]

Girls of course want to meet guys, but price elasticities are very different.

Girls want to meet DESIRABLE guys.

Guys are more willing to settle for the least-ugly girl who shows any interest in getting affectionate. Girls would rather go home alone, than with a guy who does not meet their standards.

[Vermont Lt]

So, tell the chick to pay the cover. What’s the big deal.

She can get a special wrist band indicating she’s independent.

Her Uber Driver will appreciate that as she leaves alone.

[coaster123]

Five words: Honey, go embroider an apron.

[KittenClaws]

I must be ancient. Back in the day, ladies were not charged cover so they’d be there to attract gentlemen. I am just saying it delicately.

It had nothing to do with inequality.

[KittenClaws]

I must be ancient. Back in the day, ladies were not charged cover so they’d be there to attract gentlemen. I am just saying it delicately.

It had nothing to do with inequality.

[Vermont Lt]

But they will gleefully drink at our expense while they search.

[coaster123]

“Same reasoning led me to want to pay my own way on dates”

Did you ever get a chance to explore that approach?

[Jamestown1630]

I think that’s what Darwin called ‘selective breeding’ or ‘artificial selection’.

[John Locke Forever]

To prove they have arrived, I think women should start paying for dinner and buying the drinks for men as well.
Why are men still paying for Hookers? It should be the other way around.