Mumsnet Teaspoons?

[sixpercenttruejedi]

OK, so I've shamelessly nicked this idea from Shakesville blog.
As a counterpoint to the 'it's like feminism never happened' thread, maybe an Acts of Feminism thread? Post your acts of feminism, however big or small, either committed by yourself or just witnessed.

'We must take our little teaspoons and get to work. We can't wait for shovels.' - Florynce Kennedy

Anyone who wants to read some examples of what "counts" as a teaspoon can have a look here - basically as I understand it it's any little thing you have said or done to make things better.

I stood up for a younger colleague in an argument with some men, where she was being told that the reason she didn't like something was "because you're a girl". Not exactly earth-shattering but I want to start the ball rolling.

i explained to my 11 yr old son why is was particularly shocking that girls in his class used the C-word, with a discussion about how it is reducing women to mere body parts. he totally got it.(I bet he regrets asking me what it means now...)

I have posted a lot on the boards on mumsnet about being in an abusive relationship, how to leave, seek help etc. Also currently supporting a friend in a bad relationship.

Teaspoon is a good way to describe it, especially when you think that someone is not listening or taking in what you are saying :) It took lots of teaspoons to help me leave XP.

I have started writing "letters of complaint" whenever I get irritated with something (gross-out magazine covers too low down etc). I have a little file for them and grade the responses.

MIL is here this evening so I will just mark my place and see...

I habitually turn lads' mags face down in shops, although am thinking I need to start doing the same with sleb mags and all the modern penny dreadfuls

I explained to a colleague last week exactly why it was offensive to address letters to Mrs Hisname Hissurname unless you specifically know that they choose to be addressed that way, and why moaning about women who use Ms made him look like a nob.

I also had a rant in a newsageants because Private Eye was on the top shelf (which i couldn't reach AND was next to all the hard porn stuff) while Nuts etc was eye level with young children, on shelf just above the comics. He called me a pathetic bag

Seriously MR? Ugh. I have been turning the mags over in Smiths as well.

What annoys me is when they're in an all-over wrapper so when you turn it over there are just more pictures of tits on the back.

I turn magazines over/move them too. Used to feel quite self-conscious and embarrassed but kept reading about mnetters Cats Bum Faces and have practiced mine. It makes me feel braver when I wear it.

seriously. The worst thing is his wife was standing next to him nodding in agreement with him

It is a local newsageant for local people IYKWIM. And I was not a local... So his attitude is very much, if you don't like it, you can eff off.

I rightly educated my DS (6) that there aren't any jobs a man can do that a woman can't.

(He thought about it for weeks and came back with 'female impersonator' )

I asked a friend of mine 15yr DD not to call her classmate a "slag". When she asked why not I explained that she would never call a man that. It was judging women to a different level to men and if (a big if) indeed she had slept with one or two lads what does that say about the lads who were, in fact, sleeping with an underage girl?

I asked DP to stop using "gay" as an insult even as a joke, as in "Avatar is gay". It winds me up, but it's just a leftover from him being a (presumably hilarious ) teenager, and he seems to have stopped now.

I ensure that my upper VI modern languages students (all male) discuss virgin/whore dichotomies, rape, FGM and the importance of breastfeeding during the course through the articles that I select to illustrate different aspects of society.

I challenge misogynistic, homophobic or racist attitudes whenever they are expressed in class throughout my teaching.

I have commented every time one of my FB friends have posted something offensive including Eminem's recent vid. Probably comes across a bit sanctimonious (and not everyone agrees that it is offensive...) but I can't help myself.

I always pull people up when they talk of men being 'trapped' by women who 'get themselves pregnant'.

I challenge body image stuff all the time, and often have to thank my DS for telling me how 'great and wobbly' I look, or "wow, Mummy you just get chunkier every day, what a good cuddler you are with all that chunkiness'

I used to work for a young women's organisation so I try (and fail) to keep in touch with those issues.

Love the term 'teaspoons'

I do not tolerate any sexist/racist/homophobic comments in my classroom.

Baby teasopoon: DS nearly 3 is currently calling me pretty a lot which is very nice. Today as DH was there I asked if DH was pretty too. He said 'Daddy is a boy' - no idea where he got that from all ready! Anyway told him boys can be pretty too.

NBTT - "wow, Mummy you just get chunkier every day, what a good cuddler you are with all that chunkiness'" - that is so lovely :o:o:o

"I asked a friend of mine 15yr DD not to call her classmate a "slag". When she asked why not I explained that she would never call a man that."

We used to refer to certain boys as slags, at school. Not sure if that counts as a teaspoon, though...