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AIBU?

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Female only housing and reaction to it

110 replies

RhaenysRocks · 18/06/2025 10:46

Haven't seen another thread on this but apologies if it's already somewhere. Ealing creating a tower lock for female only residents. NOT a safe house in the traditional sense of being hidden away but female only for feelings of security etc. Depressing reactions on SM, mostly around "what about men?" "Who's going to build it"? and inevitably the question of transwomen. Also an interesting point raised about male children and what happens when they turn 18. AIBU to think this is a good initiative and it's depressing that so many reactions are automatically ignoring the valid concerns of women who are typically more vulnerable than men and crying "double standards" rather than acknowledging that it is male behaviour that has created a perceived need for this?

OP posts:
HerbalBovril · 18/06/2025 11:11

I live in “transitional housing” for women and children escaping DV. For all intents and purposes, it acts as any other rental, with the added clause upon signing the lease that no men (or pets) will enter the residence. It is a fantastic initiative, built on the (sometimes literal) blood, sweat and tears of our local Koori Elders. As with anything, it’s great on paper, but imperfect in practice. It comes with all sorts of strings attached, but it beats being homeless by any stretch of the imagination.

PollyBell · 18/06/2025 11:03

So what happens when women want partners and children? And what happens when boys become teenagers then adults?

Lifelife · 18/06/2025 10:59

Yep female only, until some of the women get partners and move them in

Balloonhearts · 18/06/2025 10:56

It's a great idea but ultimately unworkable and completely impractical.

FeministUnderTheCatriarchy · 18/06/2025 10:55

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 18/06/2025 10:52

There is a thread on this. That block isn't quite what it seems if you look into the policy properly, unfortunately. There's a load of muddying of the waters with gender and partners and passing of tenancies to male children.

If this is the case then it's a load of BS. how sad

FeministUnderTheCatriarchy · 18/06/2025 10:54

This is wonderful. It shouldn't be needed, but it is. There's no double standard when men commit 97% of sexual and violent crimes. If they stopped doing those things, then there wouldn't be women wanting women's only living spaces.

Personally I think it gets tricky with male children. I have been sexually harassed by male teens and it was terrifying. They cornered me while saying the most vile comments...

Allowing male teens defeats the whole purpose (in my opinion), but you can't really tell someone that when their son reaches puperty they have to move out.

Also what is someone begins dating and their boyfriend stays over several nights a week?
That shouldn't be allowed either.

It's either a male free space, or it isn't.

It's incredibly complicated.

I would absolutely choose this and pay a premium for it if I was single. Knowing that when those doors closed I was statistically far safer would make me relax in a way I don't get to normally as a survivor of sexual abuse as a child and sexual assault as an adult.

TheSandgroper · 18/06/2025 10:53

There’s a thread in Feminism, I think.

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 18/06/2025 10:52

There is a thread on this. That block isn't quite what it seems if you look into the policy properly, unfortunately. There's a load of muddying of the waters with gender and partners and passing of tenancies to male children.

user1492757084 · 18/06/2025 10:51

Brilliant! Built for women born as women.
If it is a private charity they can house which ever minority group they choose.

I know of a charity like this that caters for women older than fifty. They have been born and lived their whole life without the advantages of being male and they are homeless..