Is Mike Pence sexist?

Is Mike Pence sexist, because he won’t eat alone with a woman other than his wife?

The Internet is howling with rage over this believing that it indicates:

1.       That men are naturally without self-control.

2.       That this will keep women from advancing professionally.

3.       That it is indicative of male control and domination.

4.       And a lot of other silly things.

I say it is smart.

He is not saying that he would never be alone in the same room with a woman under any circumstances.  I suspect there are times when he is on one side of the desk in an office situation and a woman is on the other.  The door may or may not be open, but someone else is nearby.  Please note, this is not a hotel room with a bed.

I have been alone in a room with men many times.  As a nurse, I have seen patients in a room with the door closed and asked questions of a personal nature in a professional manner.  I have tutored male students in enclosed cubicles.  I have met with a male employer in his office with the door closed.

But…

That is different than going out to dinner with someone.  A dinner situation is not just professional.  There is an element of socializing mixed in.  There is opportunity for closer physical proximity than sitting across an office desk from one another.  The possibility of the line between professional and personal being blurred by either party exists.  If one wishes to protect his/her marriage and not give any appearance of impropriety, a two-some for dinner is not a good idea.  I would say that in the current climate even a male/male dinner or a female/female dinner that is supposed to be professional should include a third party.

Of course, I go out to lunch with lady friends.  But, the occasion doesn’t mix personal and professional.

A person who is in the spotlight, as a high-ranking politician, is going to be a target for any possibility of scandal.  There are folks prowling around just looking for some salacious tidbit.  He needs to be circumspect.

There are plenty of ways to interact professionally without a one-on-one dinner.  A wise man will use those opportunities to take the measure of the women in his circle and encourage their advancement.  He will respect them and his wife enough to protect both their reputations and his own.