As a 40-year-old man, I’ve spent my fair share of time in locker rooms. In those rare moments when I’m not focused on my own business or trying to avoid the sight of older gentlemen who seem to relish in being unabashedly naked at midtown Manhattan gyms, I’ve had plenty of chats with different guys — friends and strangers alike.
And I can assure you, I’ve never once found myself bragging about any history or methods of sexual misconduct. Not in a locker room, not anywhere.
Let’s be clear: the term “locker room” doesn’t have to refer to an actual locker space. It’s just a catch-all phrase for the kind of chats guys have when it’s just us — in our man caves, at poker tables, in the back of a bar, or anywhere a group of men gather.
Sure, guys can be crude. Being among other men often devolves into a childish competition: who can tell the funniest joke, who can outdo the others with wild stories, or who has the hottest date. It’s a juvenile display of bravado, and honestly, it’s not something to brag about. In that charged environment, some guys might say things they would never say in mixed company, even if they’re not entirely true. It’s mostly just a way to blow off steam.
However, I’ve never encountered a scenario where a man casually brags about his sexual exploits or aggressive behavior toward women like that infamous conversation Donald Trump had with his buddy on the Access Hollywood bus. The grown men I know don’t talk like that nor do they live like that. They’re not sexual predators or unfaithful partners.
I recognize there are men out there who share Trump’s views — some of whom may even support him — but most men I know wouldn’t even joke about such things. Let’s be honest, sexual assault and infidelity aren’t exactly the kinds of topics that make for lighthearted banter. You don’t have to be related to a woman to show her respect! Just as you don’t need to know someone from a different background to empathize with their experiences.
You’d think someone who’s been nominated for President — a father to both daughters and sons — would have outgrown that kind of talk. Apparently not.
The thing is, Trump’s flippant remarks about women were more than just distasteful locker room chatter; they were a disturbing admission of his attitudes toward women. He wasn’t merely objectifying them; he was laying out his methodology for assaulting them. And his companion, Billy Brooks, was laughing along, which only adds to the absurdity of it all.
If I ever heard someone discussing kissing a woman without consent or grabbing her inappropriately, I certainly wouldn’t laugh. I would have left the conversation immediately. And I wouldn’t vote for that person either.
Trump’s comments weren’t simply about locker room bravado. He was describing how he feels entitled to treat women as objects. That’s not how all guys communicate; that’s how criminals talk. It’s reminiscent of cases that have become emblematic of rape culture.
When Trump refers to his comments as “locker room talk,” it reflects his privileged worldview, where he sees the world as one big boys’ club. Thankfully, he’s gradually being pulled out of that mindset, one hot mic moment at a time.
In conclusion, the type of talk Trump engaged in is not the norm for most men. It reveals a troubling attitude towards women that should concern us all.
For more information on home insemination, check out this article on home insemination kits. You can also find great resources about the process at Make a Mom, who are authorities on this topic, or explore Hopkins Medicine for excellent insights into pregnancy and home insemination.