is there a place to discuss feminism for the less well read?

[scaredoflove]

I was happy to see this topic, I have been reading a number of threads but I think my education and specific learning difficulties will be a major stumbling block

Is it all about reading about people and academics?

I like to think I am a feminist. I'm not out their marching or educating but I believe we are equal as human beings and I am bringing my children up to belive that too or am I naive and that isn't feminism?

[blackcurrants]

That sounds like feminism to me. I don't think it's all reading about people and academics, but as I'm a readery-type, when I get enthused about something I tend to link to lots of other people who've written interesting things on the topic.

I'm not sure what you're asking, really. Of course there's a place to discuss feminism without it being a discussion of feminist theory - that's any thread you start, really, which says "I want to talk about X but am not that interested in theory. Can someone tell me what they think of X?"

IYSWIM. v. tired today...

[antoinettechigur]

The discussion is open to everyone. There are some posters here who are very well-read on the subject of feminism. Other posters have little or no experience of feminist study or activities.

Everyone has something different to offer, so come on in! If you don't feel comfortable writing on any of the threads here, why not start another about something that interests you. I started one about housework and got lots of interesting answers.

I think you make a good point that it is important to focus on what we do in life (such as what we teach children).

[SkaterGrrrrl]

Welcome scaredoflove!

Feminism is for all women, not just the ones with lots of degrees. I'm sure that like me you will find lots of the topics in here relevant to your life. I expect we will discuss work, raising a family, adverts, housework, people we admire and all sorts of other things.

Please join in, its good to have you here!

[MillyR]

I agree with scaredoflove. I haven't got the mental space available at the moment to read lots of feminist texts. I think rather than no theory it would be interesting if people who are well read could explain various theories at a relatively simple level when a particular theory is relevant to a topic.

I am finding the ' theorist X says this and theorist Y says this' a bit dense, as I haven't read X or Y. I am not trying to stifle debate, which I am sure is interesting and important; it would just be good if we could sometimes discuss some things in more everyday terms.

[Beachcomber]

It is true that there are a number of MNers who are particularly well read but I don't think it is the majority on us on these threads, especially if we include lurkers.

It is great to be well read and does help a person to put their ideas into words but it is in no way necessary to either being a feminist or discussing feminist issues. Thankfully.

There are some good recommendations for books and blogs being posted which is great but I agree that we also need to use everyday terms and language too.

I'm not well read, but I still have quite strong ideas.

A thread about what/how you are teaching your children would be of great interest.

I think some threads about 'real life' feminism would be great. We could ask anyone who cites theories books to explain them in everyday language.

[madwomanintheattic]

i was going to say 'oooooh, andrea o'reilly's book on feminist mothering!' but obv i won't

of course you are a feminist. a thread about raising children (girls and boys) and attempting to foster equality is a great idea.

[SkaterGrrrrl]

I think this OP question is a really good one, because a big criticism of feminism is that it is "for" middle class women who have the education and the leisure time to devote to feminist thought/debate.

I think feminists should welcome all people to the debate and make it real and immediate. Where the first wave of feminism was successful was pushing the idea that "the personal is political".

So a mum might think, "I cant leave my house to go on a march for womens lib". But part of what feminism wants to address is what's going on in your home - for example negotiating with DH/DP to do his share of the cooking and childcare.

Your personal circumstances (you can't get promoted at work because you need to leave early to collect kids from creche, your husband wont do housework) are part of a wider political problem experienced by women everywhere. Speaking up for equality in your every day life is feminism.

[ImSoNotTelling]

I think that as with all topics, some threads here will be chatty, some will be ranty, some will be a bit navel-gazery and some will be super-intellectual.

There are loads of threads here "for beginners" already, it's just one that has got very very complicated

[probonbon]

A good idea for a thread, I will look out for things like this too. I think you put it so nicely

Bringing up our children "right" ahem is one of the best things we can do in this direction I guess. I've been twirling it round in my mind since this topic was born, what to do, when you can't talk the talk. Thanks for articulating it.

[BecauseImWoeufIt]

I'm another always in favour of the KISS approach (keep it simple, stupid!)

I'm also not always sure why there need to be lots of learned books about feminist theory because to my little mind it is very simple - men and women deserve equal opportunities, choices and respect.

[MyGoldenNotebook]

I also think there is an argument for keeping things simple. The point about feminism being seen as a middle class concern is also relevant (Ooh side point - but a male relative referred to feminism as my 'hobby' the other day - furious!).

I was looking on amazon the other day at a book called Why Feminism Matters - I read the first few pages of the introduction and felt really frustrated. It was intellectual to the point where reading it made me feel as though my brain had been replaced by a dead pigeon - and I have a Masters in Women's Lit. Seriously I think the authors must have collectively swallowed a thesaurus. It was unreadable (to me) and I found myself thinking ... matters to who then? Super intellectual women? Are they the ones who need to understand why feminism matters? What about my mum who does all the house work AND holds down a full time, professional stressful job as a nurse? She wouldn't get past the first paragraph.

[MyGoldenNotebook]

DISCLAIMER - obviously there is room for both - intellectual - serious faced with pencil gripped in hand for copious note makeing - if it floats your boat, and the more read it gripped on the sofa and a mug of tea type.