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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Can you help me explain why I'm not comfortable with this

28 replies

KD0706 · 26/12/2011 09:34

To cut a long story short DHs family think I am being a loon. DH bought a calendar for his brothers Christmas present. The pictures on the calendar were women 'partaking' in brothers favourite sport, wearing bikinis and posing provocotavily. It's not a sport you'd usually trounce around in bikinis for.

I said I wouldn't wrap the present, DH could do it himself and that I thought it counted as soft porn and I didn't want DD being raised to have the attitude that women are just there to be objectified by men.

DH handed over the calendar at family Christmas and announced to everybody that it wasn't wrapped because I didn't approve of it. His family, including his mum and SIL think I'm mental because the women aren't topless and his mum keeps asking me to explain the problem.

It's not keeping me awake at night, I'm not making a huge song and dance about it. But the family, mil in particular, are mystified at me and determined to understand my reasoning/thinking.

OP posts:
Dustinthewind · 26/12/2011 09:45

Is he usually a sexist at home, or does he treat you as worthy of respect and an opinion. If he wanted it wrapped, he should have done it.
I'd be laughing and pointing out that I'm not a bimbo and neither will my daughter be one. I find entrenched sexism in families is best dealt with by ridicule and challenge than anger.

ForkInTheForeheid · 26/12/2011 09:44

I'm a bit concerned by your husband's attitude to be honest- is he really crap at wrapping? Or is it "your job"?

Awayinamangercooper · 26/12/2011 09:40

Why did your DH have to make this an issue with his whole family for you is the first thing that comes to my mind. Why didn't he just wrap it himself and how does you not approving explain the gift not being wrapped if he chose to give it anyway???

If all his family thought that was an adequate explanation for the non wrapping, you're going to have an uphill struggle explaining your concerns about the calendar.