Why do we bother?

THEre have been changes, but the most important changes that we need ( removal of gender sterotypes, respect as people not bodies ) tend to be sociological and so will take generations and will face constant backlashes, like we see with the current trans debacle. You can view every backlash as a sign of progress. Without progress you can’t have a backlash.

There are still structural changes that are also needed...it should be illegal to sell something and a womens version. It should be illegal to sell as unisex something that is not. Eg car safety measures must be suitable for women as well as men. See invisible women book.

I am also pleased to see more effort by men into Male mental health and Male sterotypes and I see that as positive

The most recent positive changes that I am aware of are a recognition by medical profession that medical trials should be sex aware and use women and men.

Changes don’t happen fast, but they do happen. But only becuase we keep trying. Stop, and the dinasors who love 1950 gender s sterotypes will win

A violent offender now represents me and my country in our number 1 sport, which we are number 1 of in the world.

I'm curious now. Who is this? (I don't follow much sporting news.)

In my mother's day, a woman could not even work once she was married --- she had to resign. My mother helped to change all that.
Things have improved drastically in everyday life.
It's gender ideology which has thrown an explosive into the whole world of women's rights, starting with the very basic "what is a woman". That is where we must fight on, openly or in secret. I think that fight has only just begun, as more and more ordinary women become aware that there even IS a fight.

I'm early 60s. When I first rented a flat I had to ask my dad to sign the paperwork for the gas board.
When I asked a doctor to prescribe the pill he quizzed me about whether I was in a serious relationship.
When I started work I wasn't allowed to wear trousers.
I never dreamed I would see a Me Too movement (I know I know but it still happened).
I think things are way better although I agree we're at a perilous moment right now.

Take a break hun.
Focus on family and friends and community.
The ripple effect starts there.

I'm in the same boat.

LaurieFairieCake

I agree with you that there have been many improvements for women both large and small and perhaps we should celebrate them more. For instance the huge success of the HPV vaccine which may help to virtually eliminate cervical cancer.
However I feel with Jessica that women's rights have rarely been under such attack in recent times and the task ahead seems formidable. There's only 2 things I can think of to say to this. Firstly Jessica you are not alone. I confess I have often found your style of posting difficult but the passion you bring to your posts is awesome. And so many here support you. Secondly there is a wonderful line in the film 'Suffragette' where the main character asks the policeman what he is going to do because he cannot arrest all women as they are 'in every kitchen of the land'. We are in every kitchen and we will be heard. We are out of the box and we're not going back in.

Jessica, you could count my contributions to FWR threads on the fingers of one hand but I am reading and learning all the time. I've learned from you. I learn from others too, but I always read your posts and they help to clarify my thoughts. I've also become active in a quiet way, challenging others (especially officialdom) when once I would have gritted my teeth but said nothing.

Perhaps these might be small and quiet achievements but they are achievements nonetheless so keep going.

I'd suggest a break from these forums. Whilst raising genuinely important issues, they do tend to focus on the negative side of things rather than the majority of people who get by just fine.

Oh jessica

I'm.sorry you feel that way but I understand why. It would he so easy just to ignore everything keep head down and pretend its not happening. No one else appears to get it and if they did it doesn't t affect them so they dont care. Or they just NAMALT all over the place.

I cant give you a success story . I can give you a- look.out the window at the school children as they walk past your house or your work place and remind yourself that whatever happens whether they know it or not you were part info the fight ro keep them.safe and grounded in reality.

You are a force in these boards.i owe you and the likes if datun and those we have lost like the bewilderness so much. Even though it seems the world is so.much darker now I'm glad to know the truth. I'm gonna down with my eyes open and an "I told you so"

I know exactly what you mean.

I think in one area it's got much better, employment. There isn't the barrier there used to be about just having a decent job. I'm cheered by the amount of women I know who have really good jobs/professions.

And in banking, buying a house, all financial services - much better.

In smaller ways I am pleased that wearing trainers, flat shoes is much more common now.

I realise they ^^ are all inadequate but I try to remind myself of them when the rest of the crap feels insurmountable