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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Hi, I am Hully's DS. Hully said I could ask you a question!

336 replies

Hullygully · 02/12/2011 18:20

For R.S i have been asked to think, and collect, 10 key points WHY women have suffered from sexism in the past. I can think of HOW, but I am interested in WHY. I would be really interseted and grateful in any thoughts you may have! Thanks!

OP posts:
Yama · 02/12/2011 18:28

The power of the church may have facilitated it and maintained it through more enlightened times. But no, women have suffered sexism everywhere, so where the church has no power too.

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 02/12/2011 18:27

Hello HullyJr. How clever of you r mum to think to use mumsnet for your homework. I wish the kids I teach would do that instead of copying and pasting from Wikipedia!

Um, because women were traditionally perceived as being physically weaker? Because babies come from women, need women in their first few months and therefore, historically, women weren't available to work outside the home?

motherinferior · 02/12/2011 18:27

THat isn't an answer, though, Mum1969. It is a manifestation of sexism, not a reason for it. Women didn't have the vote as the result of sexism. They had less power legally in every way, not simply in relation to voting (including rights to their children if their husbands divorced them).

Figgydragon · 02/12/2011 18:27

Men are physically stronger than women. They can physically restrain and force women with less exertion than another male. One why is

Because I can

Which is the worst one of all.

Women trust men everyday, which is pretty damn cool.

ThatsNotMyBabyBelly · 02/12/2011 18:26

Because they were seen as a chattel in the past to be bargained with, hence "giving the woman away" when married

That being, a possession to be given from one man to another.

MillieMummy · 02/12/2011 18:25

Religion.

Doesn't matter which one, they are all negative towards women.

Original poster
Hullygully · 02/12/2011 18:25

Thank you Mum1369!

Hully said the power of the church. Do you agree?

OP posts:
Mum1369 · 02/12/2011 18:24

Ok I'll give you the easy one...politically women were not allowed to vote. Therefore from a legal perspective they were seen as having less rights.

scurryfunge · 02/12/2011 18:23

Because the most powerful group likes to maintain its power.

Yama · 02/12/2011 18:23

A very interesting question HullyJr.

The number one reason would be for the perceived benefit of men.

motherinferior · 02/12/2011 18:22

Because it is in men's interests to have a nice life where their meals are cooked and their babies are raised and they don't have to do any housework. I'd quite like that myself, really.