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Original poster

My DD thinks feminists have got it all wrong

62 replies

ToothbrushThief · 08/11/2011 21:03

So where did I go wrong?

Tonight we discussed feminism. She was very scathing. One argument we got stuck on was women priests.

Her argument for women not being priests was because their 'work' in the Church was childcare and thus suited to them being women. If they were claiming to not want this work, it was denigrating an important role. Besides mothers expect to keep their children after divorce and thus they have to expect child care roles because they've lost the right to claim they don't want a childcare role.

OP posts:
Original poster
ToothbrushThief · 08/11/2011 22:37

Stewie/Ayeda -I have the equality illusion - I'll look at the others

LRD - you may be right - she has been protected from sexism. Good school promoting girls and I hope I've been a good role model.

gran hands - same thing -they just don't appreciate what they have

small white cat - I can't bring myself to even contemplate that Grin

samstown - I am not brain washing her. We discuss human rights, racism, sexism, strictly come dancing, media portrayal of women and men, pros and cons of plain and dark chocolate. Her views really surprised me and I couldn't see any cause for them because she's normally rational. Thinking it's ok to pay men more or allocate priveledges to them is NOT rational

OP posts:
samstown · 08/11/2011 22:20

Or alternatively, you could let your 18 year old adult daughter form her own independent views based on her experiences, rather than pushing your own views onto her Hmm

AyedaBWells · 08/11/2011 22:07

There is that argument, yes.

They'll learn, though Smile

smallwhitecat · 08/11/2011 22:06

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Message withdrawn

Albrecht · 08/11/2011 22:01

Was about to say the same as LRD and helpmabob. Sounds very much like a smart 18 year old who thinks they are a bit cleverer than their parents but also basically likes the attention a skirmish brings.

Do not appear irked by it is all I can suggest.

Isn't there an argument that it shows how much feminism has done that now younger people can't see the need for it (same goes for civil rights etc.)?

granhands · 08/11/2011 21:52

Where to start? I had a similar conversation with one of the teenagers that I work with. She baldy stated that feminism was outdated, that she wasn't a feminist and didn't know anyone who was. I told her that I am, then asked her if she thought that she should get paid the same as a man for doing the same job, if she should have the right to decide how to run her own life, if she should be able to further her education. She agreed that all theses things were indeed Good Things, but I still don't think she has made the link between the important freedoms she takes as her right (and they should be) and feminism. I will keep chipping away....

helpmabob · 08/11/2011 21:22

I feel for you. It could be simple rebellion against you as the parent. Maybe you should avoid these conversations and act not bothered and she may end up changing her mind especially after talking to peers. But as a teenager she is likely to get more stubborn if you debate these issues with her.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 08/11/2011 21:21

I have to say, I find the women priests issue an odd one to pick! Grin

I wonder if it's just because, at 18 and with you around, she perhaps hasn't come up against a huge amount of sexism? I doubt you've done anything to encourage sexist views btw - don't do yourself down. It's as likely she is reacting against your feminism to test out how she feels.

How does she feel about being paid less than a man?

AyedaBWells · 08/11/2011 21:19

In my head. (joking, people!).

Would she be amenable to reading The Equality Illusion or Caitlin Moran's book (I'm not a fan, but I can see how it would be a good intro for the likes of your daughter)?

StewieGriffinsMom · 08/11/2011 21:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
ToothbrushThief · 08/11/2011 21:16

18

She's intelligent (a bit airy fairy) but nonetheless intelligent, mature and normally I'd say she's level headed.

On feminism she seems completely and utterly brain washed against. I do feel really angry/sad/flabbergasted about it.

So where is this boot camp!

OP posts:
AyedaBWells · 08/11/2011 21:07

How old is she?

She sounds like she needs to go to Feminist Bootcamp Grin