Do you find the term/meme 'Karen' an insult?

It's ageist, sexist, a bit classist, not racist. Basically a way of shaming middle aged women into anxiety in case they look, feel or behave a bit 'Karen'. Now gen-Karens largely don't give a f. what other people think of their attractiveness (menopause is good like that) society comes up with a replacement thing to try and make them anxious about. Does my hair look 'Karen' like this, etc.

OverMy - that's such an interesting article, thank you. I read it just after you posted and I've been thinking about it ever since. Very thought provoking.

The giant straw man (men?) I see all over Twitter, put about by woke idiots, is that
(a) middle aged women are complaining because they think Karen is racist and aimed at white women, despite having nothing to back up this assertion. The woke people can then say HA! white women claiming to be oppressed, how dare you, *insert multiple reminders as to why white women aren't oppressed**

(b) middle aged women are calling for "Karen" to be deemed a slur and banned. Again, see above.

What I HAVE seen is women asking those who use "Karen" as an insult to reflect on the way older women are such hate figures to men and younger women alike; the deep misogyny it betrays, and also, hello young women, time can be a bitch.

It's another way of saying a 'scold' or Trump's 'nasty woman'.

Just another way to knock middle aged women who do all the fucking grunt work of keeping society going

No not at all it's just humour... it's funny... it's like 'boomer'.... Karen's are not an oppressed or vulnerable group... you might say its misogyny but I really dont think it is as it's a certain type of attitude from a certain group of women that is being criticized and there are male equivalents... it's certainly not racist I do not believe reverse racism exists I think its nonsense... completely different impact

It’s sexist, ageist & lazy.

This. I was born in the mid-1950s and went to school with a host of Karens. I never much liked it as a name but this newly created stereotype is as ridiculous and offensive as any other.

Mildly annoying. Useful to know who to avoid and not take too seriously. Mostly kids on the wind up.

Me too!

That's an absolutely fascinating article OverMy. Thanks for sharing. I've just bought the author's book on the back of it!

It’s sexist, ageist & lazy.
I can’t think of any male type names that are used in a similar way.
If you replace Karen with “bitch” it usually scans

gen.medium.com/a-cultural-history-of-feminine-nouns-turned-into-insults-4f6d49a3e4be

It’s nouns not actual names but worth a read.

It is absolutely insulting. I do remember being a Nigel used in the same way - the inference being the person was a loner/had no friends. But it was used for people of both sexes

I saw a really horrible twitter post about 'karen' spreading coronavirus misinformation on Facebook, heard from her cousin, on her crushed velvet sofa with life live love above it, who is her family's hero, that he'll take his information from an actual scientist.

Of course written by a man. Implying middle aged mothers are stupid, use Facebook (so behind with social media) - and also possible swiping at women who aren't in the workforce.

My nephew did say 'alright mumsnet' to me in the family WhatsApp group because I was clipping my ds hair. Little does he know I actually am on mumsnet!!!

People on here use Wendy, Debbie (Downer) , Tim Nice-But-Dim, Kevin the Teenager, Tarquin and Jocasta in a similar way

They aren't acceptable either.

Not racist!!! Not particularly classist either

It most certainly is racist. "Karens" are always white.

It probably is classist too , to some extent. It relies on "Karens" being sufficiently confident and articulate to make a complaint.

Sexist as no male equivalent.

@Dyme Yes, there are men doing the same thing. For some inexplicable reason, they’re called Karen’s too.

And, yes, Chad is an insult. As is his Dad, Brad.

It is definitely sexist and I dislike it a great deal.

I thought Chad was an American insult? Jock, low IQ, popular with the girls.

I've also heard Becky?

Yep to internet from mid 90s. Dial up speed and waiting for pages to load. Some older women work in tech. IT careers that are older than the internet.

I think it's unacceptable.

People on here use Wendy, Debbie (Downer) , Tim Nice-But-Dim, Kevin the Teenager, Tarquin and Jocasta in a similar way.

No, there are no American insults for males that are a Karen equivalent. Nobody in America is going around calling mocking Gary’s. It is not a thing. There are no insults for males anywhere that are. Yes, it’s misogynistic, which is why men love it so much.

That said I wouldn’t care if anyone called me one. Go ahead. Karen’s get things done. Feel free to call me a carcéral feminist as well, I love it.

I very gently asked someone on Twitter whether he’d consider not using Karen as an insult again.

I was genuinely shocked to receive several horrible comments from various men and transactivists. It’s another ‘Okay boomer’ only sex specific. Didn’t matter that I had asked politely and explained why. I was immediately seen as a target.

Hahaha IKR?? As if we weren’t using the Internet from the mid 90s onwards

I find it annoying because its my name! I don't have a blonde bob, nor am I a nightmare with customer service or impatient with other customers, I work in a public facing role . I used to quite like my name!. I suppose its the same when people would label women called Sharon or Tracey as Essex girls, wearing to much make up and short skirts. Generalising women because of a name doesn't help anyone and is spiteful and extremely narrow minded which i guess says more about them than it does others.