Is JR chauvinistic?

[Sarah]

I was watching Dallas earlier when something dawned on me.

JR seems to have a lot of respect for a woman who can stand on her own two feet - as proved when Sue Ellen took over Valentine's -but he does make a lot of remarks such as:

"Watching a flock of hens that can barely carry a briefcase....."

"Bobby sold Ewing Oil....and to a WOMAN"

"Hell....she's a woman, you know how emotional they get..."

Is is just a big macho front? Or does he feel superior to women????

[Pamela Barnes]

Men like JR feel threatened by women, they need to keep women in a certain `place` where the threat is removed. Certain remarks such as the ones you made reflect this, as does his treatment of Sue Ellen.

But he did respect some women, like Donna. This may be about about the fact she was Sams wife and a political guru. I think he was proud and shocked about Sue Ellens Valentines venture, but I truly think he only ever respected two women, one was his mother and the other Donna.

What men like JR tend to forget is that it was a woman who brought him into the world and im sure he wouldn`t like someone speaking about his mother the way he speaks about women, but when he uses the term `Woman` in a derogatory fashion , he is talking about All women.

But lets face it, by the end of Dallas he was as Sue Ellen termed it a laughing stock, he was revealed as a complete bafoon. Being threatened by him then would of been as scary as being told by Tori Spelling she was going to kick ya ass. How scary is that?
The guy was like one big child, wanting his own way and getting all upset and sulking if he didn`t get it.

I see JR as one of , if not the most weakest and pathetic characters on television. Like remember when he got shot and he made the doctors add heart monitors and things so he could get more attention. LoL You have to laugh at the poor guy.

[Oblong]

And remember Jock's line "A woman's place is in the bedroom, not the board room".

While this doens't excuse his behavior, he was also a product of his upbringing. JR had chauvinistic characteristics, but wasn't unique in that regard unfortunately. I sensed a great deal of respect for Donna and some real love for Vanessa and Sue Ellen. I think he also had some respect for Pam because she wouldn't back down or give in to him.

I think JR's problem wasn't necessarily with women as it was with people in general. He would use them as tools to get what he wanted, just like he would use anyone or anything to gain power.

[Pamela Barnes]

A man like JR would use anything to get his way, `isms`, sexism! racism! etc etc are used by people in power to maintain their power base.

Yes I agree he got it from Jock, it just surprizes me how Ellie took that attitude and laughed it off. That is why I preferred Ellie with Clayton, she seemed to have far more self respect than she did with Jock.



[This message has been edited by Pamela (edited July 18, 2000).]

[SueEllen35]

I also remember when Michelle was this money grabbing woman that always tried to stick it to J.R. and he hated her with a passion, probably as much as he hated Pam. But the woman I think J.R. respected was his momma. Donna and Pam were both in the same league. Donna with her background and her stand on issues that were very close to J.R. and Pam with her letting J.R. have it whenever he said or did something to her. She never backed down from him. She always thought about what he said when it came between her and Bobby. But she would have fought J.R. to the end for Cliff. I think Donna and Pam were the only two women that could go against J.R. and did. Sue Ellen knew how to "handle" J.R. I remember from the very beginning to the very end of his relationship with Sue Ellen. SE was this meak wife that just put up with J.R.'s ways. SE finally made something of herself and J.R. admired that quality about her. I think if Mandy or Cally ever came back in J.R.'s life, even Vanessa, J.R. would always stay with Sue Ellen or really any woman for that matter. I think SE will always have a "hold" on J.R. and women like Donna and Pam will always be a force to be reckoned with.

[JockEwing]

I think the writers greatest mistake was turning J.R. into a buffoon later in the show. They alienated a lot of J.R. fans, who were about 75 percent of the fan base. I don't think he was all that chauvinistic though. I'm sure that at times even you, Pamela have made those types of comments about men. Everyone utters stereotypes from time to time. Real sexist or racist people are consumed by their hatred.

[ForeverDallasFan]

Hey Sarah, good point to bring up for comments...I do agree with all the replies made to this topic...FDF PS> Glad to see u r back for now...missed reading your comments ...FDF