There are of course the less concerning examples, like Wimbledon prize money. Five years ago, the Men's and Ladies' Singles Champions each received £700,000. For the first time the prize was the same, despite the fact that the men all had to work rather harder for their money. This is not in line with equality or merit for effort. Nevertheless, let's overlook that because in the entertainment and sporting worlds, value is subjective and what the general public wants to watch is not an exact science.
Let us now consider the change that's to happen in a couple of days, after the European Union decided to fuck up something else - the insurance market. Insurance cover for females is to jump by as much as 30%. It is quite clear that women live longer; yes, it's a sweeping generalisation, but it is a fact that they are a safer bet when the maths are considered, and a premium is being set for life cover. So, it is ludicrous to ignore that fact after this Friday, and charge women as much as men.
I will try to be flexible with my outlook, and agree that for the benefit of cheaper rates, women did not actually have to DO anything - just 'not die', which is a rather passive thing. So, by simply existing, they benefited from a broadly adopted approach by the establishment and by companies which offer life policies. With inate qualities of longevity, the lucky women saved a few quid while doing nothing. If that is deemed unacceptable, and that there ought to be some 'averaging out' for the greater good, then I suppose it is an argument that could be made - to some degree. However, there can be no such flexibility when considering car insurance.
Staying alive is rather lower down the list of actions requiring positive input than driving a vehicle. For the latter, a certain degree of attention is needed, as well as the ability not to be a cunt behind the wheel; well, actually, it has been (until Friday at least) better to be a cunt behind the wheel than a prick! Let's switch terms to "responsible driver" and "risk taking nob". Women are quite simply more careful than men. Being careful and not taking silly risks is surely rather relevant to the premium on a car insurance policy. The EU has simply pulled the rug from under the insurers by demanding a level playing field that treats all risks equally despite evidence that confirms there is variation.
Finally, I'd like to note a comparison with the gambling industry. Yes, that's an appropriate term ('industry') because in the UK, gambling is most certainly promoted, endorsed and participated in on an industrial scale. There is nothing that cannot now be the subject of a bet, or a competition (one and the same thing). The premium for having a go, whether entering a competition for £1 plus the cost of a text, or buying a lottery ticket, or putting money on a horse, is for the chance of getting something more back. I recall a story a few years ago where a family was worried about having twins; the expectant mother and father 'insured' themselves against the risk, and they did this by placing a bet at a betting shop. It meant that in the unlikely event of the mother giving birth to two offspring, they'd scoop some money that would help them with the higher than expected expenses. This is the essence of insurance. I suspect that they would have got better odds for the most spectacular payout if they'd bet against the husband giving birth, but as it was, gender retained its relevance.
So, a bet and taking out insurance are really one and the same thing. Consider, then, that bets should not be allowed if there is any semblance of inequality within the gamble. This is stupid, of course, because that's the nature of a bet. What we are really saying is that in betting which nightingale sings better, we will have to have even odds for the male and female, even though it's the male that sings beautifully. I'm sure the EU would direct us otherwise! In a 100m race between Usain Bolt and Jessica Ennis, you wouldn't get longer odds for Ennis! Forget whether a punter has tits - we may as well all play 'red or black'.
Men and women are not the same. Whilst a typical 22-year-old woman may be sensible and careful, and her male counterpart a boy-racer, I appreciate it could be the other way round. However, considering the first offence or crash will have significant (and penal) consequences for both sexes, and that insurers have extensive records and stats on all aspects, the differences that have been in place till now have some sort of merit. To flick a switch on Friday and put up costs for all females is simply madness, and more proof that the EU does fuck all of real value. Be assured that if there is any drop in charges applicable to males, it will most definitely NOT be equal to the rise for females.
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