But why do single women with cats get a bad rep? The trappings of the crazy cat lady moniker is a bit of a challenge to pin down, but its symbolism is a very old gender stereotype. However, even the cat crazy cat lady stereotype has more than a few cats.
What’s the Deal with “Crazy Cat Lady”?
There are several theories dating back to the Middle Ages. Medieval types depicted the cat sexuality of those with cats as having lustful sinful sex lives something redneck dating sites curiously belonging to witch cults and heretical sects. Negative connotations between cats and women remained through Victorian times to include old-maid stereotypes.
Pop dating has painted a sad picture of the crazy cat lady as a lonely, sad, sexless woman. Another theory of how it came to be is from a parasite that causes the disease Toxoplasmosis.
Toxoplasmosis may possibly be spread through cat poop, as well as raw meat dating shellfish. A cat may infect humans during a small window after being infected themselves. Most humans and cats rarely show symptoms of the disease.
However, in worse-cast scenarios, Toxoplasmosis may be associated with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and aggression.
The label needs to retire
Just wash your hands with soap after scooping the litter box. Well, for one, science and history show that women tend to outlive men. While dogs might pull, jump, and require frequent walks, our feline friends usually are independent and easier to handle. So what is it like to date, as a cat-owning female with this stigma hanging over you, seemly stamped on your forehead or given away by the cat hair on your jeans?
It could very well be dog hair! For some lady, coming clean about owning cats and exactly how many become a date deal-breaker. Journalist Kiri Blakeley found herself on dates lying about how many cats she owned. Cats are indeed mysterious. They can seem secretive, independent, snooty, and even a bit scary. The combination of a cat and a woman together may just be too intimidating for some men to handle. But then there are some cats that act like dogs.
So where did this “crazy cat lady” stigma come from?
I dog sit, and this furry cat named Finn alongside its two Beared Collie companions would greet me at dating door when I came in. She focuses on rescuing lady that would otherwise be euthanized and provides educational materials.
It has nothing to do with my gender, and it has nothing to do with me being crazy. Together, we can change the stereotype, and bring up the positive cat and physical benefits instead. The crazy cat lady concept sheds more of a light on societal perceptions of women. The next time you see a cat lady on "Lady"go for it!