What is interesting though is that by adding in another subordinate class- homosexuals- the impact changes once more, as lesbian women have less need to access contraceptives than straight women.
I have to admit that I find it difficult to relate to subordinate categories. I am male, white, and, while not wealthy, I am also not poor. I also happen to Christian and straight, though neither of those characteristics is necessarily visible by bystanders who happen to observe me. I have heard about white privilege, but I cannot say that I have ever personally known that I was experiencing preferential treatment of any type because I am white or male. However, I think that is the dangerous part of being a member of the dominant group, particularly when one is a member of multiple dominant groups- the danger that one thinks that one's personal experiences are universal experiences because those are the experiences that I always have....
Moreover, I do not think that I necessarily see how other people are treated because I think that people respond differently when someone is in the company of a member of the dominant group. For example, I know that my female friends are sometimes subjected to sexually harassing comments from people, but I have never heard someone make those types of comments when I am with my friends. Likewise, I know that my minority friends are sometimes subjected to comments or other mistreatment, but I have not witnessed that or any overt religious discrimination. I have, however, experienced some overt discrimination against members of other subordinate groups when I have been with them. I have heard people make fun of fat members of my family in public, when there was no interaction at all between those groups. I have also heard people insult gay people. What surprises me is that there is really no negative public reaction to those comments.
