Evil Males, or just Evil People?

In the BBC story today, about the way landlords in Paris demand sex in return for accommodation, and the response of some women to the story (pasted below), men come through as animal, callous and selfish. Pappi's question to his readers (of whom there seem to be none nowadays) is, Is this peculiar to males, or is it a description of people in general - that a particular proportion of all people, irrespective of gender or race, take unfair advantage when they are in a position of power? This is a critical issue, since it strikes at the heart of the real nature of racism, sexism and every other kind of discrimination.

Pappi thinks that there are few things more dehumanising than adopting a position that pidgeon-holes whole groups of people as either "rubbish" or "supreme". There's treasure in each one, but darkness as well. Let's just get agreement on good and poor values, rather than OK and not OK people groups. People who exploit others for sex, or money, or power are doing wrong. The exploiters can be male or female, black or white, rich or poor, religious or atheist, but they are wrong to do these things.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/crossing_continents/7290139.stm
Have you been affected by the issues in this story? Have you or someone you know experienced a landlord requesting sex for rent? Have you encountered these issues outside of France? Send us your comments using the form below.

Of course single women in UK / England have these problems. I have a few female friends who sell sex in order to put a roof over their heads. Women give birth to children, have to juggle their home and working lives, take a career/job break, can't get up the so-called career ladder, and all this culminates in less income. Nothing is different in this country.Angelina, Birmingham
This is not just happening the EU for the last 15 years that I know of single mothers (divorced, widowed, separated) have been exchanging sex for rent. twice I have been approached by landlords looking for sexual favours in exchange for lower or no rent, I have been fortunate enough to be able to tell them to shove it but not every mother I know has been able to do that. Now point to a time in history that women have not been exploited in this way and I will fall over in amazement have you read the stats. by the UN on the status of women.lesmis, brisbane australia

This country is male dominated. Even the majority of foreign males follow the same perverted ethics as the local males who will not move on any issues unless they get paid by sex.Marie Cosgrove, Saitama Japan