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Original poster

Would you take your 10 yr old daughter to see Germain Greer?

65 replies

littlepinkmouseofsugar · 19/04/2017 09:49

I've never seen Germain Greer speak and have been a big fan over the years. As a university student in the late 80s I read the original edition of the female Eunuch that my mum had on her bookshelf and it led me to read more feminist literature and down the path of being a feminist. Given Germaine is 78 now I thought I'd go and see her before she retires from public speaking, as she's not getting any younger.

Question is as the post title. I know Germaine is known for being direct and her at times she apparently uses rather colourful language so I'm dithering between exposing my (naive about certain things) daughter to words she's not heard before versus going to hear one of the most famous women of our time speak. My daughter does know about feminism and who Germaine Greer is in simple terms. What would you do?

OP posts:
Barcoo2 · 22/04/2017 12:12

I was visibly pregnant and got a mumsy beam from her. I was quite gobsmacked!

Barcoo2 · 22/04/2017 12:10

I saw her talk about herself at the launch of her archives. But a friend had seen her say the same stuff (about how the nuns hadn't prepared her for sex or whatever it was she said). I assume if she has a distinct topic on something else you would be safe.

ILikeyourHairyHands · 22/04/2017 01:13

I think your 18 year old son would benefit enormously @WhereYouLeftIt, if he has anything about him, he'll love it.

ILikeyourHairyHands · 22/04/2017 01:12

@Xenophile, she does talk lots, about how we shouldn't give a shit about what men want, I love her for it, she's irreverent, and engaging and she cares about woman and the fact we're still here, nearly 50 years down the line from The Female Eunuch, still here, doing the patriarchy's job for them.

Love her, I feel a bit emotional thinking about when I saw her last year, she's a woman who should be listened to. Not no-fucking-platformed.

Silly, silly lib-fems. Silly world we live in.

WhereYouLeftIt · 21/04/2017 17:57

I don't have a 10 year old daughter - I'm actually pondering taking my 18 year old son! Or do you think it might scare the bejesus out of him?

Xenophile · 21/04/2017 15:53

And, despite what the witchfinders would have others believe, Greer tends not to talk much about transgender issues anyway. And this talk is, I believe, about the Greenham Women and similar movements.

Xenophile · 21/04/2017 15:50

She talks very movingly about how women just need to stop giving a shit about what men want and think about what they want, and about menopause. She's direct and fierce, but funny and she really cares about women.

There might be some protests from the "burn the women" brigade, but they tend to be laughably small and a lot less angry than they are when they're safe behind a keyboard. They're rather pitiable actually, we usually take them cups of tea.

Original poster
littlepinkmouseofsugar · 21/04/2017 15:34

Just called the venue and the lady checked the files for the event and said there was no age guide or unsuitable for anyone under X years of age type of thing. Hmmm, decisions decisions...

Sex life Barcoo2 eek! I was assuming more likely to have to explain the c word or other similar terms or possibly discussions on transgenderism.

OP posts:
LassWiTheDelicateAir · 20/04/2017 08:24

Is the age limit a guideline or is there a risk they would refuse entry if I booked it?

One of the venues has concession prices for under 15. Call the venue you are interested in direct before you book and check.

Barcoo2 · 20/04/2017 02:43

She'll talk about her sex life probably rather than 'colourful language'. Just so you know.

Original poster
littlepinkmouseofsugar · 19/04/2017 18:07

You're all persuading me!

Question is the age limit - there was no mention on the local website. Where did you spot that info? I guess I'd need to contact the venue and annoyingly they only answer their phones at obscure times. Yes paddington that's my worry re buying online and then being turned away at the door because of age appropriateness.

OP posts:
WhereYouLeftIt · 19/04/2017 18:01

She's coming to my town! Squee!

silkpyjamasallday · 19/04/2017 13:02

Do it, she is an amazing speaker and woman and at 9 your dd is probably able to comprehend the topics she will cover. She came to my school to do a talk and almost gave our headmistress a heart attack because she said cunt.

PaddingtonLoverOfMarmalade · 19/04/2017 12:59

details for Germaine Greer but can only see her publisher. I'm a bit of a wimp so me and dd would definitely benefit from this.

PaddingtonLoverOfMarmalade · 19/04/2017 12:58

You're all braver than me!! Is the age limit a guideline or is there a risk they would refuse entry if I booked it? I've tried looking up contact d

venusinscorpio · 19/04/2017 12:57

Oh yes. And thank you for the link. I might take my 10 year old niece if her parents are ok with it.

Floisme · 19/04/2017 12:49

Please do it if you can. She won't be around forever. When I saw her (probably 20 years ago) she was provocative but a bloody great speaker, very funny, fierce but very warm too - real presence. I don't remember any swearing, although to be fair, I'm quite sweary myself so may not have noticed. I would have definitely taken my son at that age.

Anlaf · 19/04/2017 12:41

Yes! And thank you for the link, I am booking now...

FairNotFair · 19/04/2017 12:29

In a heartbeat.

Whathaveilost · 19/04/2017 12:27

Thanks for the link. I see she is coming two towns near me so I should be able to make one of them.

PaddingtonLoverOfMarmalade · 19/04/2017 12:25

I wanted to take my 11yo but the website says 16+.

Shortdarkandfeisty · 19/04/2017 12:25

Yes

KoalaDownUnder · 19/04/2017 12:24

Yep. Absofuckinglutely.

ILikeyourHairyHands · 19/04/2017 12:24

I've been to see her twice and I would absolutely take a ten year-old to see her. I saw her last year and she's still got it! Very humorous, warm and thought-provoking.

cuirderussie · 19/04/2017 12:19

m.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/germaine-greer

I'd even consider Ryanairing it over (I'm in Ireland!)