A few of my roommates and I were looking for houses near the Wayne State Campus to live in next semester (Fall 2024). We found a house that we absolutely loved! It was a big duplex, only a five minute walk to campus, and had vintage/retro accents throughout the house. The rooms were spacious, the kitchen was newly renovated, and the prices wasn’t too bad considering we were splitting the rent six ways. After we toured this house, the realtor had told us that he would send us the application in order for us to get the house.
Days passed, and we kept contacting him. We knew that since this house was right next to campus, more students would find out about it and try to get it. Which is exactly what happened. Three boys that we know got the house. They toured it and immediately got their application later n the day. I was shocked to find out that they only had to wait two hours to receive the application, while we had never received it (and it had already been two weeks).
At first, I thought of how this could be considered misogyny. We had the money, the consignors, and the requirements to get the house. We were more ecstatic and enthusiastic about the house—so why didn’t we get it? The three boys that got the house told us that the realtor (male) tends to stay away from girls because: “You know how girls can be.” In my opinion, as a woman, I don’t know how girls can be when renting a house. Not only do I think saying that is extremely misogynistic, but one of the boys who will be living in that house has caused the fire alarm in my dorm hall to go off twice—by making scrambled eggs and popcorn. Me and my roommates are more equipped to live in a house and take care of it.
One of my roommates is getting no financial help from anyone and her parents kicked her out of their house. She’s a full time student with two minimum wage jobs. Without a decent priced home, she’ll live in her car. Not only was that house our favorite, but it was the cheapest. Basically, my roommate is on her way to facing homelessness.
This whole incident made me feel, for one, angry. I was angry because I knew that we were more equipped and ready to live in a house, whereas the boys that actually got the house aren’t. To be frank, it’s a slap in the face. But not only was I angry, I was also sad. I was sad for my roommate whom was facing homelessness. I was sad because we had no where to live—we didn’t want to get separated but that’s what it was looking like.
I think being judged because of our gender is pointless. Studies have shown that women take better care of apartments, houses, and townhomes—so why weren’t we picked if we’re most likely going to take care of the place exceptionally?
I think it’s extremely obvious that this was a case of misogyny. And I also think that this situation is old-schol—things like this happened in the 50’s and 60’s. I know that we’re only college students, however those boys are too, and we (girls) are more likely to take care and have love for a home compared to the boys.
