Comments on the latest features and reviews
So, you really think we’re stupid, do you?, by Ananya
From Gloria Dawson
Ananya’s review of Girl Talk magazine was intelligent ans well written. I
felt like I was reading something I thought when I was ten but wouldn’t
have known how to put in words. I think she should send her comments in to
the magazine and the publishing company, spread her views amongst her
friends, and keep writing!
From Dr.J.Amalorpavanathan
Ananya ,you write well.Your reasoning is sound , your prose is
tight.Continue writing on many more things that you happen to see around
you.Let logic and logic alone be the corner stone of all your activities
including your writing. Looking forward to read more of your
writing.
From Sneha Krishnan
Perfectly true! I’m glad girls like you are actually thinking of these
things!
From Sarah Louisa Phythian-Adams
I read your article and couldn’t agree more. I felt very much the same
from my pre-teens and onwards – that something was distinctly wrong with
the world of being a ‘girl’. What you’re talking about is the
‘normalising’ of what it is to be female around a small (and frankly
stupid) set of ideals (that is making those ideas into what is considered
normal and everything else not). Popular media (that is magazines and TV
etc) have turned ‘girl’ into a brand and everything about being a
‘girl’ has to be pink, cutesy, giggly, looks obsessed, celebrity
obsessed and happy to say that everything else is for boys. I’m sad to
say that the magazines aimed at ‘women’ in the adult market pretty much
do the same thing – swap cutesy for sexy and there you have it – the
recipe for adult media fodder aimed at women.
It’s so heartening to hear that not all young women are swallowing this
rubbish! I worry about my nieces who are now in their teens. They think
I’m just their mad auntie who won’t let them in my house wearing their
Playboy jewellery(!) Perhaps you can get involved with your school
magazine/ paper as well? I would hope that young women might appreciate
hearing some feminist ideas from someone they can relate to – even if it
is just a break from the expectation of being this kind of ‘girl’.
From tom hulley
Thanks Ananya,
What a refreshing article. I loved the clarity of your presentation. In
fact, I want to show it to my (adult) social science students as an example
of using evidence to support an argument (They tend to just offer
opinions).
Not the first time I see that children are often wiser and more clearly
focused than adults. Indeed, I wish people would stop treating children
like children but like people!
Maybe F-word will invite you to be a regular blogger as you offer a
distinctive and very welcome voice.
Also it is heartening to find a young person saying ‘no’ to gender
stereotyping and peer pressure while asserting her own identity.
From Sally
Keep up the great work, Ananya! It’s obvious that you study hard and
enjoy it. You have combined insights about press-driven sexism, classism
and materialism into a single compelling essay. Policy makers who don’t
believe the media’s portrayal of girls is harmful and demeaning need to
read this article.
From lisa
There are some magazines aimed at girls which cover particular topics eg
horse riding, gymnastics. Otherwise try magazines which cover the
particular topic you’re interested in eg fishing, computing, martial arts.
These unfortunately are often aimed at males but at least they have real
articles and information. If you can read French or German they have
children’s (yes non-gendered !) magazines on a range of topics and even
children’s newspapers. This International Herald Tribune Article although
dated explains the general idea.
http://www.iht.com/articles/1999/01/27/kid.t.php
From Aideen
Re: So, you really think we’re stupid, do you?
I’m so pleased to see that young girls are carrying on the feminist torch
and critically examining the media – and from such a young girl too! The
article was very well written and she touched upon ideas which wouldn’t
have occured to many adults!
From Louise
I just want to congratulation Ananya on an incisive and interesting
article. Well done!
From Saranga
Too right! Sadly, the magazines (for heterosexual women) don’t get much
better as you get older. Company is alright, but is definitely geared
towards women who like clothes and makeup.
From Yasmin Keyani
Thank you Ananya for your article on magazines aimed at girls. As someone
a fair bit older than you, I only ever see these products on supermarket
magazine racks and even then I find them quite troubling. They are so
clearly just shallow, patronising, product placement vehicles. As such, it
is very heartening to know that at least one of their intended readership
is not taken in.
From Debi
Ananya, you rock! I really hope other young girls are inspired by you to
get interested in feminism – I think they will be.
From Karen Vaughan
The young lady that wrote about the inane magazines aimed at young girls
has just re-affirmed some of my faith in human nature. She appears to be
wise, balanced, aware of many social issues such as the points going to the
girl with the shortest skirt – sad but true! I am very impressed by her
article and wish her well for the future – stick to your principles and
respect yourself for doing so!
From Jennifer-Ruth
Ananya – you sound like a bright and intelligent person. I think that you
should send this article to the editors of those magazines and let them
know what you think!
From JENNIFER DREW
Thanks for such
an enlightening article. The writer of this article really knows and
understands how the editors of these magazines are deliberately attempting
to undermine young girls’ ambitions, differences and interests.
The writer of this article most certainly sees through the lies these
magazines are claiming.
By the way, you are so right, girls are not all the same and there is
absolutely nothing wrong in wanting to study. You do see how the quizzes
are designed to make girls think being intelligent and wanting to learn is
not something good but instead tries to make girls think such interests are
wrong.
There are a few magazines in the US which do not have this approach one is
Teen Voices. Like you I wish there was more variety of magazines for girls
because girls are not all identical.
Lastly I think your article was very well written and I’m so glad you have
spoken out. We need more voices like yours.
From Louise
Ananya, your article was very well written. I teach year 7 students in one
of the best grammar schools in England and honestly, I wonder how many of
my students would be able to write such a great piece of writing. You’ve
made my day ! I wish more girls like you would come forth and demand better
magazines_ I think lots of girls out there need to be encouraged to speak
out and voice their needs or concerns. So well done, and keep on writing,
you’ve got a real talent. Have you thought of having this article published
on other websites or in the newspapers ?
From Michelle
Nice one Ananya! Thanks for this really interesting insight into the some
of the content of these magazines, I agree they do seem to expect young
girls be one kind of person (pretty and giggly) instead of another (someone
who enjoys reading and learning).
When I was your age I also found these magazines to not represent girls
like me, who did enjoy learning and didn’t like dressing up, which I found
alienating and does make you feel like you aren’t good enough. As you say,
there shouldn’t be that message that says you should only be one way, and
of course you can be the sort of person who wants to do well in school AND
have fun!
I also agree that there should be some alternative magazines on offer for
young girls.
Keep on doing your thing, Ananya!
From Jennifer-Ruth
Ananya – you sound like a bright and intelligent person. I think that you
should send this article to the editors of those magazines and let them
know what you think!
From Fran
Thank you for sharing, Ananya! Your article was eye-opening for me. I
haven’t read girls’ magazines for years, and I didn’t realise just what a
bad message they were sending to their readers.
From hannah whittaker
In response to Anayas article I am extrememly impressed with the level of
intelligence she has displayed in this article at such a young age.
She will grow to be a fine politician and feminist. Well done Anaya
From Em
Everything you’ve pointed out is something thats troubled me a lot. I
have two 6 year old daughters and we struggle to find suitable magazine
material for them to read. Magazines aimed at young children are now too
boring for them, and magazines aimed at slightly older children are sickly,
and full of references to beauty, pop stars and dumbing down language. One
publication we subscribe to and love though is First News. I can highly
recommend it, my girls love it!
Confidential?, by Karen James
Karen James updates us on the situation
I said I would give an update when I had spoken to the head nurse. Well – I had a meeting with her last night and I am VERY pleased to say that she is now going to ensure that water is always available and offered to patients in the private room.
She also commented on the inappropriate assumptions made by the nurse I saw. The nurse was very apologetic and promised that staff will now be more proffessional in this manner and not jump to conclusions.
They are due to have a meeting soon on staff protocols and how they can improve privacy for patients and so they said my complaint came at exactly the right time. They asked if they could bring up my points and I agreed. Ok, these things should not need to be highlighted by me, but at least they are now being discussed. In fact, the head nurse was very cool and very interested in women’s sexual health and feminism so we are keeping in touch! I am very happy with the outcome so please convey this on my behalf.
From Sophie Platt
You poor woman! So unprofessional and indescreet. I’m just glad you
actually did something about it. So many others would either ignore it or
not bother to persue a complaint. Good on you!
Karen James, author of the article, replies
Thank you very much for all the support. I totally agree with you. I think in Britain too many people don’t complain enough, therefore services go downhill (especially for women), so I always complain in these situations! I am considered a very dominant woman and it terrifies me to think that another woman would go through that because I kept silent so I am glad I did.
From Mrs C
I feel for you as I had a similar experience with bad staff at a family
planning clinic.
I had to have a coil put as I was unable to get a morning after pill,
over a bank holiday weekend (this was a good 8 years ago now!). By the
time Tuesday came around it was over the morning after pill limit, so an
IUD it was instead! Needless to say it was a horrid, painful experience,
but I continued to bleed for weeks after, which shouldn’t have happened.
When I went back to the clinic to tell them I was still bleeding, the Dr.
examined me and silently went back to her desk. She wrote some things on
my notes then said very flatly -‘it seems you have had a miscarriage’. As
it turned out I was about 2 months pregnant which I was unaware of at the
time. Her response was emotionless and she treated me as if I had done it
on purpose. I was 19, had never been to a clinic in my life and i was
surrounded by girls younger than me that seemed at home there. I am still
disgusted by the way the Dr. talked to me and will never forget her words.
Obviously I was relieved at the time (which 19 year old wouldn’t be
relieved – my mother would have killed me!) I was too young to have a child
but who wants to be told in that manner. I never regretted having a coil
put in but her response to me made me feel dirty and immoral. If she
disagreed with it so much why was she working there? For me this was a
long time ago but it makes me sad to hear other women are still being
treated in the same way.
From Angela Erdal
Unfortunately I do not think this is a rare experience. When visiting the
local chemist earlier this year for the morning after pill, I was taken
into the cleaning cupboard (seriously! there where buckets and mops there)
and grilled about how I was going to make sure this did not happen again.
It was totally humiliating, especially when I can out into the crowded shop
and everyone stared as they knew why I was taken in there. I felt like a
naughty child not a 38 year old adult.
Karen James, author of the article, replies
The cleaning cupboard? Good grief – why didn’t they just use the public toilets and have done with it? I am really sorry you had to go through that. I have been through similar, and you are totally right in that it is very common. I am 36 myself, so I can relate how humiliating it is to be talked to like a child.
They really need to look more at personal circumstances and act accordingly. I don’t need someone my age lecturing me on my sexual health (well – any age actually!) But I think that your situation is worse, in that this wasn’t even a health facility, just an ordinary shop! It is no-one else’s business what you do with your body. I bet a guy wouldn’t get the same patronising response if he went in. Grrrrrr!!!! Sorry for the rant, but I know how you must have felt. And thank you so much for relating that to me. I was hoping to open up a dialogue about sexism in the NHS with this, I am happy I did.
From Lorrie
I made an appointment at the local surgery a little while ago for a
contraceptive injection. Over the phone I was asked what the appointment
was for and I replied that it was for an injection. Immediately, without
even the tiniest breath, the receptionist blurted “What *kind* of
injection?”. I told her that I’d rather discuss that with the nurse, thank
you very much. This isn’t because I’m ashamed of using the injection
(preventing unwanted pregnancies? How very dare I!) but because it had
nothing to do with the receptionist. Coming from a medical family, I’ve had
plenty of opportunity to ask, and receptionists have absolutely no right to
know why you want to see the doctor or nurse.
In any case, I paid for my cheek. When I arrived at the surgery a couple
of days later, I gave my name and told the receptionist I was there to see
the nurse. With a total lack of regard for the gigantic queue of busybodies
behind me, she leant up and crowed over the perspex, “Contraceptive
injection, is it?”
Sometimes I just want to give up.
From Shea
I’ve just read Rachael’s piece “Confidential?” and I have to say I’m
equally shocked. This was a totally unacceptable violation of the nurses
duty of confidentiality. What if Rachael had been there with her partner,
who on hearing what she was in there for started to get aggressive? That is
completely unacceptable. I think Rachael you should have said something at
the time (difficult I know) and definitely write to the health centre.
There is simply no excuse for behaviour like that, and as you said, if they
see a problem, why haven’t they remedied it?
Karen James, author of the article, replies
Thanks very much for your comments. And yes, I can totally see your point about if I had had a partner and he had got violent. And then of course, what if I had been raped and treated like that? It’s terrifying to think about.
I am single / I didn’t look guilty enough for having enjoyed sex – and I absolutely think that that is why I was judged so badly.
I really wish I had said something at the time, but, to be honest, I was just relieved to have my emergency contraception. And sometimes it really doesn’t hit you until you are away from the situation, does it? But I did make a verbal complaint to NHS Direct that very afternoon. I always complain in these situations because I think as a feminist, it can only help other women.
From Anon
I had a surgical termination in a south London hospital earlier this year.
I would say my privacy was compromised throughout the entire procedure,
from being left to wake up on an un-curtained bed with a backless gown
(promptly rolling over and showing the ward my bare arse complete with
bloodied sanitary towel) to being debriefed very publicly so the entire
discharge room knew what sort of abnormal bleeding I should look out for.
Pretty much the only person not reguarly updated on my progress was my
boyfriend, who was charged with picking me up afterwards and was treated
pretty shoddily by the hospital admin throughout.
From Jennifer Drew
I am horrified this medical practice is
operating a ‘moral sexual double standard in respect of women’s
sexualities. Would this practice operate the same principle if say, Mr.
Jones called in to see his GP and was told ‘take a seat Mr. Jones the
doctor will see you shortly about prescribing the little pink pill in order
to rectify your sexual dysfunction’. (I am not able to use the medical term
because it is viewed as spam). Or would Mr. Jones be told ‘take a seat Mr.
Jones the dr. will see you shortly in order to discuss STI’s’. Same thing
only difference is the biological sex of patient. Medical practitioners
are there to provide medical expertise to patients NOT to judge patients’
sexual activities.
But why is the onus once again on patients complaining? This is clearly
blatant abuse of medical practitioners power over patients. I am very
angry at this appalling situation. But of course men’s sexual behaviours
are seen as a right and autonomous unlike women’s sexualities which are
still being policed and controlled by those who sit in judgement on women.
Karen James, author of the article, replies
Thank you Jennifer for an excellent response to my article! You have put it exactly how it felt to me. And you know what? Now I have had the chance to reflect on it, the nurse I talked to wasn’t even so great when we were IN the private room. I remember her making stupid assumptions like: “So obviously he didn’t want to use a condom, which is why your’e here”!! I promptly replied “Er, I am not a victim just because I am a woman and no, that’s wrong” Also she said, “Well, he lives far away, you could see him at weekends or something”. “Yes”, I replied “I could, if I wanted to but I don’t.”
So Jennifer, you are so right. I felt judged – and judged and judged. But you know the worst judgement? That most people would rather I have been in pain than enjoyed orgasm. Also at the walk-in centre it was a Saturday morning, I was a little tired, had a short skirt on – and was alone. And THAT is why people made the assumptions.
Because if you need the morning after pill then as a woman you should be in a proper relationship and charperoned by boyfriend at all times! I was judged for being a women who likes sex! You are spot on about how I felt policed: the whole damn thing was set up to make me feel like a slut!
From Liz
Well done for complaining. You can also raise this with Patient Opinion
(www.patientopinion.org) – an independent group that aims to improve NHS
services by making sure patients’ views and complaints are passed on to the
right people.
From Jenny
While this was rather inappropriate, I doubt that many people in the
waiting room put two and two together and came up with ’emergency
contraception’ – they’re at the doctor’s for their own reasons and probably
have plenty of other things on their minds.
Karen James, author of the article, replies
Thanks for your comment on my article. I can see how your point is very valid. But I can also see that many sexist assumptions were used against me by the other patients that day. We all had to wait a couple of hours for appointments (as is standard at a walk-in centre on a weekand) so everyone was sitting about. Some of us chatted but most just looked around, bored. I think people decide on other people’s lives all the time, especially if you are trying to take your mind off being ill.
I was there on a Saturday morning, I looked quite tired. I had on a short skirt and I was alone. Whether we like it or not, people make judgements about others all the time (whatever condition they are in). So they judged me to have been waiting to get the morning after pill because of the elements I mentioned above – short skirt, alone, etc. That guy just echoed what others were thinking. And I knew he probably would be: I just did not need it confirmed for him by the NHS!
We’re all in this together, by Ariel Silvera and Sinead Ahern
From Sian
The history of abortion in Ireland and the UK was the best article I have
read for a long time. I’d previously any real knowledge of the history of
Irish women’s rights, this explained it informatively and concisely.
Incitement to rape, by Victoria Dutchman-Smith
From Anonymous
Thank you so much for putting into words what I have been feeling for the
last twenty years. I shall refer to your article when the topic of
“suitable dress” comes up, as it is bound to do in the near future, with my
12 year old daughter. I will use your article in “defence” against
potential objections from my husband, who would have me dress to deny that
part of me that would celebrate my sexuality. He thinks it’s inappropriate
for me because I am married – I have been struggling but failing to counter
this attitude since I was a feminist student who delighted in wearing
mini-skirts, but then slowly lost my self-respect as I became a
down-trodden wife and mother…… Hallelujah for this website, which I
have just discovered!
From ClaireM
In response to “Incitement to Rape”. I think these issues are well teased
out. As someone who experienced sexual abuse in childhood can I offer the
perspective that also the false perception of female sexuality, the social
premium put on good (or ‘slutty’) behaviour compounds the damage that an
abuser or rapist does. Something my mother said once afterwards was to
remember I was a normal healthy girl who would recover, not a china doll
with a scratch on it. Harsh but helpful message to hear.
From SarahLou42
I really enjoyed reading this piece, it articulated so well what I’ve been
trying to argue for what seems like ages with friends and others about the
need for a revolution in sexual attitudes. I particularly liked the
redefining of women from sexual objects to sexual subjects, I don’t think
I’d ever thought of it that neatly or succinctly before, though I’m aware
that many others must have. Thanks for a great article, and keep up the
good work.
From sophie platt
Brilliant! I used to work with a guy, a self confessed mysoginist, who
always seemed to be moaning about ‘who do women get all dressed up to go
out, and then when you approach them, they just ignore you.’ Err..yeah,
ever considered the fact that they just don’t find you attractive?! No, of
course, the problem isn’t you, it’s them..you ARE
From tom hulley
No and No! Not incitement to rape and not really a ‘tricky one’. Rape is a
wholly unacceptable act of violence. It is never the victim’s fault and it
is never excusable.
One of the myths that men use is that they have ‘urges’ that cannot be
controlled. If this were true then all men would need to be caged. What
many women may not realise is that men can stop at any point if they wish.
Believe me, if a man realises the footie has started, he can withdraw and
be downstairs in ten seconds. That’s love for you!
In a different context of violence, I take risks. When I walk under the
underpass where dangerous hoodies lurk (!) I might get mugged. Such
violence would not be my fault and I would not be accused of incitement or
contributory negligence or anything else. Unfortunately, we live in a
society that tolerates rape or, at best, excuses it. Women may be at risk
every time they go out. Indeed, they may be at risk if they stay in. They
do not create these risks.
Sexual activity, provocative behaviour etc never merit violence as a
response. Rapists are always wholly responsible for acts of violence and
these acts actually have no connection at all with sexual activity.
Appallingly low conviction rates are based on misunderstanding this. There
is much more to sex than penetration but even if a woman has ‘let a man in’
it would be quite reasonable for her to tell him to stop as she has changed
her mind or feels uncomfortable or whatever.
A man who cannot accept ‘no’ is not only worthless but not safe to be let
out. Yes, there are tricky aspects. Persuasion, lying and trickery are all
part of the complexity of relationships but violence has no place.I am
pretty sure men know this and choose to ignore it.
Yes, Victoria, the ‘grey area’ is a figment of the imagination -a made-up
convenience for people who not only should but actually do know better. I
appreciate that your piece is more considered and better reasoned than my
rant but I thought it useful for a man to say that there are no excuses for
a change.
From Virginia
Great article :) makes me wonder if I should restrict my language as using
phrases like “bugger me it’s cold this morning” could then be used against
me if I was assaulted. No free speech for teh womenz: too dangerous.
HPV vaccination – the debate isn’t over yet, by Kit Roskelly
From S
This is a really interesting article and I can see where you’re coming
from.
However, I have to point out that I’m 15 and my feminist mother doesn’t
want me to have the jab.
We don’t yet know whether the jab will have any side affects later in
life. I definitely agree with most of what you are saying but please bear
the fact that this will factor in some people’s decisions.
From Celia wangler
It is itnerestging to note that this seems to be a turnaround in policy.
Until recently women who had “positive” smear test results were treated,
including having surgery, with no mention being made that this could have
been caused by a sexually transmitted virus or that simple actions such as
using a condom could help protect them.
From Chloe
In response to Kit Roskelly’s article on the HPV vaccination in schools, I
agree that schools have “a responsibility to protect their pupils’
health” – which is why I’m glad that St. Monica’s School in Greater
Manchester has decided against distribution of the vaccine on school
grounds.
While I agree that it should be up to young women to decide whether or not
they are vaccinated, personally I don’t see any point in the vaccine (young
men aren’t being vaccinated even though it could potentially help them too,
and you still need to get regular smear tests – which a lot of women don’t
realise). Many of my friends think that the vaccine is some kind of miracle
protection against STIs, and don’t know what a smear test is. Surely we
should be informing young women (and men) about proper STI testing instead
of parading some miracle cure that is really rather pointless.
Jess McCabe, editor of The F-Word, replies
That suggests to me that the descriptions of the vaccine need to become more realistic in the media – not that it shouldn’t be given to girls routinely. If it stops some women dying of cancer, it’s a good thing. That’s it as far as I’m concerned.
From Jennifer Drew
Missing from the debate is the fact the HPV vaccine does NOT PREVENT
CERVICAL CANCER neither does it protect girls from HPV viruses. HPV
viruses are numerous but the pharmaceutical company promoting this pseudo
vaccine is claiming it will protect heterosexually active young women.
If that is the case why then are not young boys also being targetted since
research has consistently shown HPV viruses are predominantly passed from
male to female via heterosexual penetrative sexual activity. Why are girls
only being targetted? Is it because females are once again being treated
as guinea pigs? Why aren’t boys being offered this vaccine? Is it because
STI’s and HPV are still presumed to be predominantly passed on from female
to male?
This HPV vaccine does not work and there is clear evidence the
pharmaceutical companies have not undertaken sufficient research or testing
before ‘claiming this wonder cure.’ HPV has been around for centuries
and not until HPV is claimed to cause cancer do we suddenly hear
pharmaceutical companies suddenly creating a miracle drug. Remember
pharmaceutical companies are only concerned with profit not women’s health
or lives.
Gardasil has invested a very large sum of money in heavily promoting this
pseudo vaccine and the reason as I stated above is profit. Australia, the
US and Europe have been heavily targetted and Governments too have fallen
for the pseudo claims pharmaceutical companies have made
Evidence is there but the media, governments and sadly some feminists are
refusing to listen. Opposition to the HPV vaccine should not be framed
around whether or not young women will supposedly become more ‘promiscuous’
rather it is about women’s and girls’ lives. Of course boys are supposed
to ‘naturally’ become sexually promiscuous because male sexuality is still
widely perceived as being autonomous whereas female sexuality has to be
controlled and policed. Hence the reason for promoting this pseudo
vaccine. If the vaccine were to ‘work’ then it would supposedly save
Governments’ large sums of money in having to contribute and finance
women’s health.
I suggest we need to learn more about the facts and increasing evidence
that HVP vaccine has and does cause very serious and long-term side
effects. The issue is not about ‘female sexual promiscuity’ but about
refusing to accept pharmaceutical companies’ claims and dicing with real
women’s and girls’ lives.
There is evidence being complied via this website and it is a
multi-international one. Feminist scientists have publicly stated their
opposition to pharmaceutical companies claims but of course feminist
scientists are once again being ignored.
Here is the link to website:
http://womenhurtbymedicine.wordpress.com/
From Cara
All you need to know is: the vaccination has to be given at this age to be
effective *when they are old enough to legally have sex*.
I don’t get it. It’s not like the school is telling girls to go out and
sleep with every man in sight when underage, which *would* be
irresponsible! All they have to say is, this vaccine will take a few years
to be effective.
There is a happy medium in sex education. It should be neither “just say
no!” or “yeah, go have sex now!” but IF you choose to have sex, wait until
you are at least 16, and be responsible.
But then the right wing religious nutters have never been about women’s
health…no, just controlling their sexuality.
From Shea
I just want to say how brilliant Kit Roskelly’s article on the HPV vaccine
is. I agree with every word and further I really think this should be in
The Guardian, or the Independent and if Kit isn’t a journalist she really
should think seriously about a career in that profession, because her
writing is excellent.
I just want to add to the paragraph on young people that these outmoded
attitudes adults have to young people and this vicious victorian morality
our society tries to impose is probably part of the reason our young people
are the unhappiest in Europe.
We’ve posted on the blog about Prossy Kakooza’s fight to gain asylum. After she was granted refuge status, she sent in this comment
From Prossy Kakooza
Could you please extend my thanks to all your readers for all their
support during my campaign to stay in the UK. They have helped change my
life and i will forever be grateful for that. All my love, Prossy.
Comments on older features and reviews
Whose feminism is it?, by Annika Spalding
From Balbinder Kaur
having just read Annika Spalding’s article ” is feminism reaching women of
of colour?” i have to say the answer is no, as a woman of colour and
having worked in the community for the lasd 8 years i have found that women
of colour do not see themselves as feminist and part of that is due to the
cultural barriers that they face on a daily basis, it is ingrained into
them from an early age that they are the weaker sex, and that the mans
wishes are paramount.
having said that i have found that the younger generation of black, asian
or mixed race women who have been born here and schooled here are getting
the message that their views and opinions do count. They have the right to
voice objections without the fear of abuse or vitriol. having two neices in
their 30’s it amazes me how different their upbringing was to mine even
though i’m only 7 years older than my oldest neice. So maybe we are getting
there but it’s going to be a long uphill battle to get the message across.
From Cara
While I completely agree that feminism should be made more accessible,
there is a difference between that and dumbing down/ diluting feminism to
people who are never going to be receptive.
I am not being classist. I work with, and consider a friend, a black
single mother from Brixton who dropped out of school with no
qualifications, had 2 kids by the age of 19 and worked 3 crappy part-time
jobs to support them. She got sick of this and started doing evening
classes; she now has an OU degree and a good job (well, of course :-)).
But movements have always been driven by people who are educated and
articulate, and that’s not really a bad thing, is it? I’m not saying
feminism should be some exclusive club with its “in” language but, well,
isn’t campaigning for equal pay, choice, etc. and against objectification
of women in the media – things that will actually benefit lower
socioeconomic group women – better than trying to persuade them not to buy
Heat?
I’m not saying that “we” know better – I’m saying, these women probably
aren’t interested in feminism because they don’t have the time or income –
it’s more important that the *results* of feminism benefit them.
Also, I’m not sure being a stay-at-home wifey is ever a feminist choice,
or that such women will be interested in feminism.
Jess McCabe, editor of The F-Word, replies
I couldn’t disagree more. If movements put off and alienate the people they’re meant to be represent and advocate for, there’s a serious problem. That doesn’t mean every woman has to be an activist, but if you turn up to a feminist meeting and feel excluded and shut out because you haven’t got a women’s studies degree or whatever, there’s something very wrong.
It’s only a bloody tampon, by Gemma Bolwell and Harriet Chandler
From jd
Maybe the old man was shocked to discover that menstrual blood is red and
not bright blue as depicted on T.V. ads.
But to be serious, even though sanitary products are actually advertised
nowadays, menstruation is obviously still a massive taboo. I thought things
had moved on from when I was a girl, before the T.V. ads, when you wanted
to buy “things” you had to whisper and point at the offending items on the
top shelf of the corner shop and the mortified man behind the counter would
grab them and shove them into a massive brown paper bag to save everyone’s
blushes (the bag had to be massive back in the 70s. Do you remember how big
the pads were back then?)
I just remember the shame and secrecy surrounding the first few years of
my periods. I am 45 years old and I was talking to a friend aged 54 and she
told me that her mother used to make her write down the name of the
protection that she wanted and pass the note as discreetly as possible to
the shopkeeper.
I would genuinely hate for this to continue to cause shame and
embarassment for young women today. It is something completely natural and
should be celebrated and not hidden away.
With regards to the play I feel that if only one person left the theatre
because of the tampon’s inclusion then the play should continue in its
entirety for the full run. I bet the same old man would not be in the least
offended by the use of stage blood to depict wounds in a war scene. It’s a
cowardly decision to take the item out and simply colludes with the view
that periods are shameful.
From Anita
Hi, I’ve read this article and I’m relieved that someone at las has
written something about it. I remember watching some tampon advert on
YouTube and when I read the comments I was shocked. All I saw is ”filth,
disgusting and shameful”. I asked myself why would the people feel
disgusted about seeing a bloody tampon, but laugh at someone throwing paper
rolls on the trees? I mean if there was a comedy with a scene with throwing
TAMPONS it would be disgusting, just because it’s a normal, ordinary thing
all women use just like a tissue, a toilet paper or a plaster.
Your article remainded me when I was in Poland and it was around some time
when the pope was supposed to visit the cuntry. During the time he was in
Poland, all the tampon and pads adverts were BANNED from TV. Reason? They
didn’t want to ‘upset’ the pope. Now this shows that there are also
religious issues with somethig so normal and natural… I mean, if for the
pope, a menstruation is filthy and gross, why don’t he complain to God to
make the women different?
Why men should care about gender stereotypes, by Alex Gibson
From rogelio meza
OMG! i really loved your article especially your quotes. That was excatly
what I was looking for. Thanks for having this article available for
persons who are willing to know about the “role of genders”. Our teacher
assigned us to research about this interesting topic. I hope you keep
writing about this and again THANKS! Sorry about any grammatical errors
and spelling.
From Chet
In point of fact, men do have an equivalent of feminism – it’s called
“feminism.” Feminism isn’t about special rights for women, it’s about equal
rights for people without regard to gender.
Abortion: still a feminist issue, by Irina Lester
From Gwen Randall
Thank you so much for your article. I live in the US where abortion rights
are very much in jeopardy.
I was just thinking that we need to start talking in plain terms about
abortion, miscarriages, fertility, fetal development and the environment of
the womb.
If abortion is murder, then are repeated attempts to conceive when you
know you are prone to miscarriages also murder, or at the very least
reckless endangerment resulting in the death of a child? In cases of
miscarriages, there’s not always something wrong with the fetus. The
chronic fertility issue could be a tipped uterus, large fibroids, blood
type issues, hormonal issues, diabetes, and etc. So, if abortions are
banned should women who qualify for high-risk pregnancies be forcibly
sterilized because their bodies murder healthy unborn children?
It’s really amazingly easy to fertilize an egg considering the profound
consequences. As a society, we need to understand that there is some moral
gray area here. As women, and as families, we need to be able to make the
choices ourselves, privately, about whether the fetus is a fully formed
life or only a potential life.
Abortions are certainly not new, you can even find references in the Old
Testament referring to whether you need to compensate for a fetus the same
as a person (you didn’t have to) and referring to the legal practice where
men could bring unfaithful women to the Temple for a drink of magic “bitter
water” to terminate the pregnancy.
So, yes, they aren’t new but they are much safer (as is all medical care).
We don’t have to agree with each other, but we do need to support the
overall health of women and their current and future families. And since
women will continue to have abortions as they have since time immemorial,
then abortions need to be legal.
In the name of the father…, by Sarah Louisa Phythian-Adams
From Anita
When I asked my mum why couldn’t I have her second name but my fathers,
she said that she wanted me to have her name but when she went to some
registration office or whatever it is (that was just after I was born) the
woman behind the desk said it HAS TO BE the father’s name/my mum’s partner’s
name. But my parents were never even married!!! It can’t be the law, it’s
just this woman’s opinion and because of her I have to live eith my fathers
name even when I don’t know him very well and we’re not close at all. Does
it mean that if I get accidentally pregenant at some party where I don’t
know who’s who, and I’ll decide to keep the baby but don’t know the father,
should I travel across the country to find this guy to ask for his last
name because otherwise my child won’t be ‘called like it should be’?!
Across the porn divide, by Debi Crow
From Sue Mayer
This article is an attempt to calm passions, but it is I think confused by
some contradictions and a lack of focus that is inevitable from a well
intentioned perch on the top of a fence. We should not be afraid of robust
discussion, but welcome it. To denigrate the necessity of rational argument
as merely “playing tit-for-tat” is not really helpful in advancing the
process of understanding the origins of basic attitudes and the history of
our culture. The issues we find hardest to talk about and agree on are not
necessarily the most important ones just because people feel most strongly
about them and perhaps encouraging that idea is not what we need to do, and
on porn at least – laugh at its absurdities.
Part of this process should be to encourage the separation of personal
attitudes to porn or prostitution from rational arguments on public policy,
and recognise that for some people departing from deeply ingrained
religious attitudes will be very difficult and give them time.
Any “battle of words” will only end when it ends! And it is obviously
not yet finished and for some people, prostitution and pornography, like
the wider battle over abortion never will be over. How it is conducted is a
different matter.
Arguments are fought, and won or lost, anything in between is merely a
truce – a waiting time. Those who support a WRTC have to be constantly on
guard from those who would take us back to the backstreets. But this is not
a game or a competition, it is a constant struggle to keep up and when
possible advance. (To continue the macho war-like rhetoric that is so much
part of our culture.) And to discuss it in terms of whether or not the
discussion should be had, can itself be diversion from necessary argument.
To say that there is a “stand-off” is to assume that there are two
equal sides to a conflict and that is not always, or even usually the case,
certainly not on ‘prostitution’. The realistic argument is not between
prostitution and no prostitution, but between illegality and legality,
voluntary or coercive and exploitative sex (inside or outside of marriage)
And underlying these arguments are centuries of punitive attitudes and a
refusal to recognise the basis of these attitudes that are also clearly to
be seen in the current attitude of many people to sex education, sinful’
sex, family and child support that is ‘based on the ownership of women.
Objective, rational discussion has to be the basis of all public policy on
matters of sexuality and reproductive autonomy. And in the interim we have
to prevent action that will further damage the people involved and play to
the populist anti-prostitute gallery. And as a feminist I see no reason why
I should want to, or have to avoid, rational, evidence-based argument on
this issue.
An important part of the discussion that often gets lost, is the
difference between permissive attitudes and legislation and restrictive,
mandatory legislation that does not allow room for individual autonomy for
women on issues such as consensual sex.
Where there is disagreement we must engage with it and not try to suppress
it. We are adults and should be able to cope with disagreement. We must
reject the idea that women are like children, unable to fully grasp what is
good for them. I agree with the dictum, ‘Progress comes through
conflict’ and whether it is prostitution or pornography we should respect
the right of women to agree or not. But progressive social policy has to be
fought for, as every other progressive step has had to be fought for. I
think it is patronising for anyone, including feminists to think that they
could or should assert their views over those directly concerned and who
know most about it.
And why should we content ourselves with only talking about things on
which we agree? We want support and bonding, but not just a comfort zone
to avoid the difficult issues? And it tempts me to cry “Come on women –
shape up.”
Personally I feel that the obsessive concentration by some feminists on
these issues, plays to the media tune that ‘sex and the penis’ is the
most important, or only subject worth talking about! In the same way that
some men think that being opposed to the extremes of abusive treatment of
women makes them feminists, opposition to prostitution is taken by some as
conditional for feminism. I believe that this perhaps it hides confusion
and a lack of perspective on traditional attitudes that we should be aware
of. For some people, any sex outside the traditional teaching of the
patriarchal religious model, whether it is homosexuality,
‘fornication’, prostitution, sex for pleasure or even solo sex, is
sinful and must, one way or another, be punished, and for some no amount of
evidence or rational argument will change their views, for many others is
it just a matter of time.
I am no part of any “stand-off” and do not seek to impose my views on
those who disagree with me. I am not a blogger, and do not intend to become
one, but I have for many years outlined my views on the Internet; on
websites and our group files section*on prostitution – as a concept that in
other forms is widespread in our society, yet gets little or no criticism –
on paternalism and patriarchy and my view on attitudes to prostitution.
I publish my views, to save repeating them over and over again every time
the subject comes up – for anyone to respond to if they wish; and in turn I
respond to any publicly expressed views on the subject that I think are
harmful to women. It is up to people to justify their own position but not
impose or attempt to exclude other opinions as was done recently at an
event called ‘Feminism in London’ that specifically excluded members of
our group for views on prostitution that did not accord with the
organisers.
I facilitate a feminist meetup group in London. It is a secular group open
to all feminists to discuss any issues. I support the views of
International Collective and the Safety First Coalition and others against
criminalisation, but we do not have a ‘party-line’ and our discussions
encompass a wide range of issues, many of which are never touched by other
feminist groups.
There are already many existing groups that “work together in a
concrete way in the real world to actually achieve something” such as the
Fawcett Society and the Pro-Choice organisations, or are specifically set
up to address the abuse of women e.g. ‘dis-honour’ killing, to aid
asylum seekers, women in prison or trafficking of women, and they are a
very necessary and effective part of feminist action and I would hope to
help to feed in new feminists who are looking for such activism towards
those groups and provide an additional platform for them if they want to
use it. But IMO it is important to recognise the pernicious but largely
ignored underlying traditional attitudes that cause abuse, and stifle ALL
the campaigns, and progressive campaigns in general.
Trying to prevent discussion of difficult issues is neither necessary nor
desirable, if we are to avoid well-meaning but misguided activism that
fuels campaigns that are not in the best interest of women.
The only possible solution for disagreement is to respect our right to
keep talking towards either a consensus or success for the best option.
I agree that language and terminology is important
‘anti-criminalisation’ is not the same as ‘pro-prostitution’ – just
as anti-abortion is no more pro-life than pro-choice is pro-life. And I
certainly agree that feminists need to hear opinions that may be alien to
them because they challenge deeply entrenched cultural attitudes.
Jess McCabe, editor of The F-Word, replies
I think this is kind of an object lesson in what Debi talks about in her article, regarding the way to sensitively describe other feminists’ viewpoints. Because it’s not conducive to working together or progressing past decades-old arguments, to have it implied that because you support criminalisation of the demand side of prostitution, that means you must hold a whole load of anti-sex, homophobic, hard right views.
‘Feminists are sexist’, by Catherine Redfern
From Mr Man
Feminists are sexist, its a simple fact whether they know it or not. There
is nothing complex about it as feminism aims to improve everything from
womens place in the home to womens place in the work and womens health.
Feminists at the same time as doing this do not make sure mens rights are
not threatened. Indeed feminists tend to be aggressive and reject all
criticism of women by men.
Over all, feminism is the scum of our society and must be stamped out. It
wasnt always this way, but is now. No feminist or woman in support of
feminism deserves respect from men, and those men who do are foolish. Women
are given priority in all aspects of society and more money is spent on
them than men by the government. Its just pure selfishness, a disgusting
behaviour that is repugnent to most men. Most men are not even aware they
have lose human rights and are treated as second class citizens and that is
why it is so easy for women to continue taking all they want from society
without concern to anyone else or the human cost.
Jess McCabe, editor of The F-Word, replies
Does that mean it’s a human right for men to be paid more than women for the same work (to take but one of many examples)? I think by “human rights”, you might have meant “unearned advantage and privilege”.
Sisters! Some of us are mothers, too!, by Ruth Moss
From Irina
“Sisters! Some of us are mothers too” is a good article and Ruth makes a
valid important point.
I see feminism as neither a propaganda of child-free lifestyle nor
propaganda of motherhood. It is about letting each individual woman do what
feels right to her without fear of criticism, and encouraging any choice
she makes about having/not having children.
I am not sure though what “feminism” Ruth refers to in her argument. I
cannot say much about contemporary feminism as fword is the only blog I
read, so I have no opinion here. But as to traditional feminism, I am sure
it was pretty much about mother’s rights as well.
Yes, maybe those feminists of the past didn’t campaign for stay-at-home
motherhood but they’d be fools to, given that this was the only option for
women in those days and it was bloody rammed down every woman’s throat. It
is NOT to have children, or have both kids AND career that made sense to
campaign then.
Now it is a bit different, i agree, but not dramatically different as it
still seems that every dick, bob and harry are quick to castigate women for
whatever they choose or not choose to do, and how.
As a childfree woman i always distansed myself from openly aggressive
childfree crowd, and never used the world “breeder” towards mothers. It is
to disrespect one’s own mother first of all!
I however see nothing wrong with saying “I don’t like children” about
which there was a debate in fword blog recently. I think there is a
misunderstanding, that people who say they don’t like children are only
saying that they neither have an open dislike of them not have particular
strong liking you see in some cooing and awhhing adults. That it, these
people are more or less indifferent to children but would never do any harm
to them.
I was once in such a situation: a colleague at work brought her daughter
of my age and her 2 small girls to our staff canteen for lunch, and another
colleague leaned over and asked me, out of blue “Do you like children?” I
was taken aback by such tactlessness because she clearly asked only to get
a positive answer (well, of course who’d dare say anything different when
in presence of a young mother and her children!!) THis rhetoric question
pissed me off so much so i decided not to say the expected but truth and
said: “No. I don’t. I don’t dislike them but i don’t particularly love
them. I guess I am indifferent”.
Contrary to what one might imagine, nothing horrible happened, nobody
called me a selfish bitch who’d die alone and be eaten by my cats. But I
hope that colleague learned her lesson not to ask inappropriate questions
in wrong situations as she might not be able to handle the unexpected and
unbargained for response.
Lots of people rightly pointed out in the debate on a blog that childfree
might get a bit too defensive and upfront because they do get their share
of shit from everybody else in regard to their choice. Mothers don’t get
the same stick for fulfiling the womanly duty they are expected to.
I agree that we should watch our language in regard of “popping the sprog”
or “getting up the duff” – pregnancy and child birth are no joke. When i
think about pain, potential health risks involved in it I suddenly seem not
to be so comfortable about using such light dismissive terms for it.
On this note, I would like to take an issue with you for, in turn, taking
an issue with Nino for using “child birth as self-harm” notion. I though
this was a greta thing to say , and very right too. Some how you cannot
imagine that giving birth can be self-harm? Well, just because for you it
was wonderful experience and that you did id willfully, doesn’t mean it is
like this for every other woman.
I can think of many examples where giving birth is an act of self-harm!
Think about a woman faced with unplanned unwanted pregnancy and who gives
in to pressure from others, carries pregnancy to term and gives birth
buying into an idea that only now she as a woman is worth of anything.
Imagine the opposition to an idea of abortion some women have, how they
actually GET convinced by others that yes, you mUST sacrifice yourself for
the baby, or that an embryo as a potential baby is more important than you
dreams about education, good job, maybe different boyfriend than the one
you got pregnant by. How the whole idea of an unwilling mother’s self-worth
is eroded in favour of the idea of womanly sacrifice, Yep, that’s it, fun
is over.
Don’t even get me started on cases where a woman falls pregnant by a
violent partner and her sense of self-preservation is so nonexistent that
she even doesn’t consider that there are other options than to give birth.
In my view any pregnancy that is against a woman’s will is self-harm.
If you are brow-beaten into giving birth and becoming a mother, not being
able to tell all these sanctimonious arseholes where to shove it (and mind
you, many people still love an idea of motherhood as PUNISHMENT – for not
using contraception, for not fearing enough, for “having too much fun”, for
being too young/too old to have sex, for being too equal to men and
therefore in need to be reminded that you are different and lowly in fact)
– if you buy all this bullshit and start internalize it then yes, giving
birth in such circumstances constitutes self-harm.
Ruth Moss, author of the article, replies
Thanks for taking the time to read and respond to my article.
I just wanted to write and let you know I had a discussion by email with Nino about the comment in her article and we sorted it all out. Really the issue I had was that she had not clarified what she meant by birth as self harm – from the way it was written I had inferred she meant all birth was self harm when in fact she was referring to specific instances.
‘Who… me? I’m just a housewife’, by Samantha Jay
From Amanda Harding
In response to Samantha Jay’s article I feel that what she has to say is
very important, with respect to both the issues she raised regarding mental
health and women’s domestic arrangements. Well said and if more people
spoke out then inevitably female solidarity would become the norm instead
of alienation. Well said Jen!!!!!! Respect where it is due.
Feminine Feminism, by Laura Wadsworth
From barbara
I do understand where this girl is coming from. She is well under way to
deconstucting her feminine rituals and understanding choice and power from
precription and pressure. I was a tomboy until I went lezbo. When that
happened I suddenly felt free enogh of re-examine all the feminine rituals,
make up, hair products, outrageous feminineity, wigs, long nails, super
stilettos etc… I had avoided except for very rare indulgent special
occations like a gala or a ball. because I suddenly realised now that I was
lesbian, I didn’t have the acusation that what I was doing was “selling
out” “buying in” for the male gaze. I could really back up with my fresh
dyke-card that I really was doing it for myself, thank you very much. But I
still got pressured and quizzed and accused – and every single girly ritual
I did had to go through the same deconstruction of why I was doing it. My
femininity is deconstructed and queered. I love it. I love shaving,
especially taking the whole furr off the muff – not because it makes me
look like a child, but becaue I love the feeling of having bare skin being
touched. having hair desensitises my skin. I love my make up – my artful
colour palet that is my playground and operatic canavass for warrior
goddess masks to be exposed on. My stilettos are my unshealthed swords and
have kicked a bloke or two in them. My corset and push up bra is my battle
armour.
I love looking for the perfect shade of lipstick as I know it won’t ever
be found. it’s a soothing, stress relieving way of shopping for a colour of
paint in a hectic day – stopping in at the chemists can relieve my
whirlwind london AUGH for a cool and cheap £2.99 and a relaxing 10 mins of
looking through paint colours.
And far from what people think, being a femme feminist you are always in
gender battle mode – for your friends and partners rights and for
assumptions being made on your own gender. People don’t understand that
assumptions about my femininity are sexist – even if it comes from other
feminists. When they challenge me on it, I challenge hem back about their
pections about being pink and girly beink weak and stupid and insipid. if
that isn’t sexist, then I don’t know what is.
Why my son wears pink, by Penni F
From Ceri
In response to ‘Why my son wears pink’ I just wanted to say to Penny F
from one pagan feminist to another, that I did the same with my son, and
he’s 9 now and I really believe it made a difference. Indeed despite what
all the ‘raising boys’ books tell you to expect, though he won’t wear pink
or tops with flowers on any more, his hair is still long, and he still
holds my hand and kisses me in public, and cuddles his bunny in bed.
What Not To Wear say to your co-worker, by Kelly Draper
From Joanna
I thought Kelly Draper’s article ‘What not to say in front of your
co-worker’ was excellent. Karen, I honestly don’t know how you restrained
yourself from punching your colleagues for having the GALL to tell you they
were thinking of putting you forward for that programme. How DARE they!! I
am so mad just thinking about it. I think I’d cry if someone said that to
me. My God, what a sad sad age we live in. Only one flaw: I will defend
Heat magazine as actually they have always been very good as far as body
image is concerned: the then-editor stated that images of women are never
airbrushed or digitally altered in his magazine, and they regularly run
body-positivearticles on what men think of women and the results are
always very uplifiting. I see Heat as female friendly in that respect. The
others however, no.
Sex and the City the movie: Having your (wedding) cake and eating it, a review by Catherine Redfern
From Elise Nubberstein
…not to mention charlotte helped big & carrie get back together on the
television show, did we really need to see it once again in the movie? why
couldn’t big have died of a heart attack right before or after the wedding?
jerked around for 10 years & then poof, life is over, message being; treat
those you love with care. …and hello, on the tv show-miranda never loved
steve, gets knocked up by steve, he grows on her after time, she decides
she’ll settle for him, things aren’t great (shocking really) he cheats &
she’s out of there, end of story. she should not have taken him back. steve
jumping off the brooklyn bridge would have made for great viewing! but
seriously, miranda never really loved him, think about the show. they were
just two people who made a baby & tried to make the best of it. oh and just
one last thing, the gay italian wedding planner guy & stamford are suddenly
are in love? WTF? WHY??? they both happen to be gay men? oh that’s right
because it makes for a tidy little ending. BOGUS! totally bogus.
disappointed. I was expecting more from this movie.
You’re a 44-year old man: the Michael Jackson Interview, a review by Catherine Redfern
From Katerina
BRILLIANT artical!! I’m not a feminist but I do feel that Michael Jackson
is being unfaily treated just because he’s a man. A woman in his situation
would not be subjected to the same scrutiny and biased view.
The Perfect Vagina, a review by Amy Clare
From Ellie Stewart
I have just read Amy Clare’s article ‘The Perfect Vagina’ on which she
comments on the recent documentary exploring the increase of women under
going labioplasty in this country.
The article is incredibly insightful and intelligent, and yet points out
obvious truths that so many people either ignore or deny. The fear and
hatred of the vagina and female sexuality is rife in our society. I think
it has existed for a long time, but porn has done so much to make this
hatred normal. The influence of porn has spread beyond top shelf magazines
and lap dance clubs to every teenagers computer, music videos and
advertising. With men being brainwashed by these images of women, real
women feel under enormous pressure to look like the image of women porn
promotes. The other day I commented to my boyfriend on how Pamela
Anderson’s vulva (which most people will have seen in her and Tommy Lee’s
home-made movie) not only has no hair on it at all, it also appears to have
no visible labia at all. It is literally just a slit. My boyfriend was
confused: ‘aren’t some women’s vagina’s just like that?’
Amy’s point that: ‘we live in a society where images of male sexual
fantasies and desires are ubiquitous but where women’s own sexuality is
still seen as something to be feared, hated and sanitised’ is a view I have
staunchly held for a long time, and yet, when voiced, has been met with
derision and accusations of my being ‘uptight’.
Thank you for writing such a brilliant article Amy. If only Nuts would
print it!
Amy Clare, author of the article, replies
Ellie, thank you for your kind and encouraging comments about my article. Unfortunately the accusation of being ‘uptight’ is something all feminists deal with on a regular basis, hopefully the more we communicate with each other via sites like The F Word, the more we can remind ourselves that we are not uptight, we are rightfully angry about those aspects of society which are harmful to women. I would love to see some kind of critical thought or even balanced opinions in the men’s mags, but sadly I think the day Nuts magazine prints something non-misogynist will be the day we all buy particularly large hats specifically to eat them.
From Anjum Mouj
I am so pleased to read this article and really impressed that it has been
wriiten so well and articulates much better than I could (and I’m much
older) the frustrations of these gendered streotypes in young girls
magazines. Thanks so much Annaya I will post this like to all my nieces
and nephews!
General comments
From Natalie Dunn
Hi all,
I just wanted to thank you for making me feel proud of who I am and what I
stand for.
Due to this you have encouraged me to begin a British feminism group on
facebook and just wanted to inform you that I have posted a link to your
website so that other young females can feel the same as me.
Many thanks
From aimee
Personally, I think it\’s amazing that a ten year old girl can be so
intelligent and perceptive despite the damaging influences of magazines
like this. Well done!