Do you think (your) sexuality changes how you relate to women-only spaces?

"I think the more "interesting" view points (ime anyways) are there because they it becomes a debate for men. Usually about how actulaly women have it better than men. Interesting to listen to because the view is so different from my own. Oh and wrong. "

How is that judgemental statement right? Is that not a view that is open for debate? Or is that ok because that's a statement that sits easier with you?

Hiding this thread before I throw the laptop across the room now.

Oh there's a row already

I missed that, was too busy typing my love for women...

Come on, don't fall out, peace and love and more understanding.

I much much much much prefer the company of women.

I have a number of groups of women friends and I love being with them, we chat, laugh, row discuss, drink, dance...

With mixrd company it can be good too, but invariably better with woemn only.

I have one male friend that I like as much as my female friends and with whom I have a similar relationship.

My view?

MY EXPERIENCES I cannot change that. Sorry if you don't like them but I am being HONEST and true to how I felt at the time. If that doesn't sit with your views then I am so very very sorry. But how dare you try to imply that my view of women today is silly and bitchy. I have not said that at all, I was trying to understand those experiences with women who may have raised good topics and good points. I have not said what my VIEW is. That is what I was debating.

Have a good one.

"I just think you are missing the point. You have a couple of bad experiences and aren't tying to meet new female friends, would you write off black people the same way? Or The French?"

How did I deserve that? Where have I said that I have written off all female friends?

Seriously? Why are you so aggressive towards me for relating experiences that happened to me when I was younger?

Sorry LRD but clearly this is no place for me. I do not appreciate such nasty judgements from people who do not know me and who have clearly misinterpreted my posts to such an extent that is truly hurtful and very very offensive.

This is not a debate. This is only for women who agree with each other and God help you if you question that because before you know it, you'll be labelled as an anti-feminist and woman-hater.

I know this is not what you intended LRD and I have a lot of respect for you and would have loved to have debated with you. But this is not the way to open up a debate. It's the way to effectively close one.

I liek the idea of a female only retreat, I'd feel more relaxed, but I would still prefer to have more than just gender in common.

No, I don't think you are being awkward, I just think you are missing the point. You have a couple of bad experiences and aren't tying to meet new female friends, would you write off black people the same way? Or The French?. I don't think anyone here spends all day chatting about diets and hair. So maybe try and make some new female friends? Also if your relationships with women have been fairly superficial you may not have gotten in to proper discussions with them.. maybe as an adult you will find you have more in common.. teenagers of both sexes seem to spend an inordinate amount of time on their hair.

Yes IdCal possibly that is true.

But I'm off. I have work to do now. Sorry I would love to debate more.

Ok thanks Artex. I guess my pov is not welcome in this debate.

I cannot change my experience. I did say that not all my female were like that and I did say that it was MY experience which would differ from other peoples, perhaps depending on where you lived.

I lived in a very working class area and I had my children in a very working class area. I am still very working class but happened upon a group of friends who were more forward thinking - and that includes female friends now. But it was not always so. Perhaps because of the times (early 90s) or the area or the societal expectations then. Who knows. But if I am going to be seen as anti-feminist on this thread for relating my experiences and not making up something else to fit in with your debate easier then I might as well pack my bags and leave now.

Women people say they find all women groups naturally aggressive or competitive, so you think that could be because there is no "natural order"? Where as in a male/female group we know our "place". So there is no need for the competition? I definitely see competition betwwen men for top dog, so maybe they treat us differently because we aren't worthy of being competition.

Not so IdCal. My conversations with men on the subject of feminism is not so much a debate but an agreement. One of my best friends is out in Vietnam writing about the war atrocities afflicted on women by American soldiers. He has some very strong views about how women have suffered at the hands of men. My dh is the same, he'll often point out an example in the media of how women are portrayed as objects and will say as much to our dd.

As for hanging out with the wrong women, well I never did hang out with women, that's kinda my point. I had plenty of jobs in my late teens and throughout my twenties, working for agencies, in offices, etc and try as I might to fit into the social scene I just couldn't. Even at University I found my solace with my male friends who accepted me into their social circle much easier.

I'm not contributing to this debate to be awkward, just relating my experiences and questioning them as you are.

Political lesbianism I didn't even know that was a thing. I should ad that to the thread in chat about stuff you didn't know existed until mumsnet.

Whereas men can have some very interesting points to make about feminism and tend to embrace the conversation much more.

I think the more "interesting" view points (ime anyways) are there because they it becomes a debate for men. Usually about how actulaly women have it better than men. Interesting to listen to because the view is so different from my own. Oh and wrong.

Also if you feel women that you have met have been less interesting you have been hanging out with the wrong women, as evidenced by your enjoyment of mumsnet.

Absolutely agree with picking feminist-type men. Most of my male friends are educated and have a lot of respect for women. If I wasn't treated as an equal by a man then he would have no place in my circle of friends.

That's ultimately how we pick a mate isn't it? By becoming friends and sharing common experiences and thoughts.

I can only speak from experience though LRD. Trust me, I don't want to place women in these pigeon holes but you can't deny your own experiences.

I did say that not all women are like that and certainly my close friends aren't, but when growing up and all through my early twenties I felt very very alienated from women. I felt that I didn't fit it and wasn't accepted by them.

I viewed men as threatening and I so badly wanted to be part of this women-only crowd but it never worked for me. Not sexually but just as part of my identity really.