Is the "Billy Graham Rule" sexist or just old fashioned?

I think it's a disturbing and repressively pathetic self-imposed social rule.

One. My late wife would have HATED getting dragged around to various functions.

Two. If I can't be professional with women-- then I don't deserve a profession or a political office.

Three. Sure. I'll be honest. I generally keep the door to my office open when speaking with female students and colleagues. I guess that's "protecting myself".

But I've also gotten baked at the bar with female colleagues and have had deeply personal conversations with female students and colleagues behind closed doors. So that's the fourth point-- if you can't discern when discretion is useful versus a burden, then you're sort of fucked up.

Scenario #1. Discussing politics with a female journalist in her hotel room while you fold the panties in her suitcase-- problem.

Scenario #2. Discussing politics with a female journalist in the lobby of said hotel-- sounds reasonable.

It's neither old fashioned or sexist by default, but it could be both or either. It's a personal comfort thing. Think of it this way, there are women only clubs, men only clubs, gay only clubs, lesbian only clubs, kids only clubs, elderly only organizations, etc... There are places you can only go if you are a Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, sometimes on proper rank within any of these. Some places you can only go in certain positions or with X amount of income either high or low. All sorts of stuff out there hinged on isolation from other people.

The only way this would be sexist is if he were to not want to be alone with a woman because he distrusts women, or thinks they are lesser than men, or something along those lines.

Personal space is personal space, people have safe spaces in colleges.

While I don't understand the mentality, doesn't necessarily make it sexist or old fashioned, it's just how they roll.

You could probably add a third option, which is self preservation. If he’s never alone with a woman other than his wife, he significantly lowers his risk of ending up in a [i]he-said-she-said[/i] situation as a result. If he’s deathly afraid of being accused of something he didn’t do, that might factor into his thinking.

The only men who are feeling uncomfortable being alone with a woman are the men who don't have their acts together. His position is right in line with Muslim women having to wear burkas. It's bullshit, weak and really sexist. Who in their right mind would vote for a "man" like that? Unbelievable.

I'm not familiar with this particular backstory but regarding the "Billy Graham Rule", it's implying that women shouldn’t trust their husbands because men are unable to control their urges. Thank goodness for the MeToo movement.

"more and more men"??? In what context in what setting?

This is the first I have ever heard any man whine about this. What a baby.

In the metoo era, it’s probably wise. It might’ve seemed old fashioned before but now it’s just a good idea.

I assume people have a right of freedom of association. Since we are all free to decide who we spend time with, I dont see a problem here.

It's old fashioned, but it's old fashioned because it's sexist.

They are just mad because they wont be able to falsely accuse him of something he didnt do. it is old fashioned, but these days, it pays to be careful when you are running for public office. bill clinton maybe should have thought about that rule. hahahaha

I would say it is old fashioned BUY if i were running for office i wouldnt be alone with a jounal8st. I would have one 9f my people there to witness what was said and done.

Mike pence said the same thing and was ripped apart for it. Since almost everyone and their brother in law is accused of inappropriate behavior often without any proof. Pence is bullet proof. It's wise move.

It"s merely old fashioned and in many ways...... A very smart move.