Page 4 | Why is everyone gushing over Tom Daley knitting?

EastWestWhosBest · 2021-08-02T13:36:43+00:00

Man does a thing considered to be female and everyone is losing their minds over how ‘cute’ it is.

Dyrne · 02/08/2021 18:13

@FloralBunting

It's a pretty low bar, then, isn't it?

Look, I'm out of sorts, because the level of sexist bullshittery on the BBC and elsewhere is jaw dropping at the moment, so I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, and I haven't done any form of needlecraft for years myself. I'm just not seeing why this is any kind of gain for women. Perhaps I'll see it tomorrow when I'm less fucked off.

I’m not celebrating it as a massive leap forward in women’s rights or anything. I came on a thread specifically about knitting, and talked about how it’s always nice to see a traditionally masculine-coded man doing something usually seen as “feminine”. That’s all. I’m not fawning all over him, I’m not saying it cancels out all of the other shit, I merely contributed to the conversation in the thread.

It’s fairly tiring if we can’t talk about something specific any more without having to caveat it with “well of course I care about being GC, surrogacy, FGM, breast cancer, suicide attempt rates etc etc”; and even then there would probably be someone come along saying “well you didn’t mention ovarian cancer, don’t you care about that?”

Disfordarkchocolate · 02/08/2021 18:07

I've been following his 'made by' on Instagram for ages and it's lovely. Full of happiness, cute pictures and messages about how it's helped his mental health in lock down. What's not to love.

Pumperthepumper · 02/08/2021 18:06

@RedToothBrush

He definitely is challenging stereotypes in knitting though. The surrogacy issue is abhorrent, and a totally separate issue. He’s not completely without fault for being seen knitting a couple of times and I don’t think anyone is suggesting otherwise.

I don't give a fuck about hobbies.

And whilst breaking stereotypes are important, I'd rather not santise or normalise baby traffickers as being cool or cute anymore than I would support Prince Andrew as being a 'bit hard done by' and having an issue with an inability to sweat. Why? Because ultimately our priorities should be able prevent physical and mental harm to people especially those in more vulnerable groups.

This is a very privileged man who can do whatever the fuck he likes. Great if he chooses knitting. Not so great if he chooses buying a baby and then trying to change the law to make it easier to buy babies in this country.

I do which people would see it for what it is. A case of trying to build an image and PR for a man who buys babies to further his post diving ambitions...

Who do you want to challenge gender roles then? Which man in the public eye would you be happy with?

FloralBunting · 02/08/2021 18:06

Well, I'm heartsick of the low bar today, tbh. Utterly.

Pumperthepumper · 02/08/2021 18:05

@FloralBunting

It's a pretty low bar, then, isn't it?

Look, I'm out of sorts, because the level of sexist bullshittery on the BBC and elsewhere is jaw dropping at the moment, so I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, and I haven't done any form of needlecraft for years myself. I'm just not seeing why this is any kind of gain for women. Perhaps I'll see it tomorrow when I'm less fucked off.

It is a low bar. It’s always a low bar.

RedToothBrush · 02/08/2021 18:04

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FloralBunting · 02/08/2021 18:04

It's a pretty low bar, then, isn't it?

Look, I'm out of sorts, because the level of sexist bullshittery on the BBC and elsewhere is jaw dropping at the moment, so I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, and I haven't done any form of needlecraft for years myself. I'm just not seeing why this is any kind of gain for women. Perhaps I'll see it tomorrow when I'm less fucked off.

Pumperthepumper · 02/08/2021 18:00

@Saucery

The amount of attention given to this in online knitting groups I belong to is ludicrous, although it does mirror the amount of attention given to men who post in them. Such a lot of fawning goes on, I’m not surprised to see TD lauded for picking up his needles. It’s Special Man Knitting, you see.

Is it not in the same company of all female painter and decorating teams though? Something traditionally male dominated that women are taking on?

Pumperthepumper · 02/08/2021 17:59

@FloralBunting

I haven't mocked anyone. I've questioned whether TD knitting is challenging negative stereotypes (is something being associated with elderly women a negative stereotype? That's certainly a question the explore from a feminist perspective) and I and a number of others have raised his attitudes towards women. A number of those who are pleased with his knitting have admitted they didn't even know about those attitudes. I get that those of you who enjoy knitting are pleased with him raising the craft profile, but you're going to get feminists raising his misogyny on the Sex and Gender discussion board. Not sure why that would be a surprise.

It’s not about raising the profile of knitting - it’s about a man in the public eye doing something stereotypically for women and enjoying it. That’s it, it doesn’t cancel out him paying for surrogacy, it doesn’t make him an angel among men. It makes him someone openly enjoying a hobby most wouldn’t associate with men.

Saucery · 02/08/2021 17:57

The amount of attention given to this in online knitting groups I belong to is ludicrous, although it does mirror the amount of attention given to men who post in them. Such a lot of fawning goes on, I’m not surprised to see TD lauded for picking up his needles. It’s Special Man Knitting, you see.

FloralBunting · 02/08/2021 17:53

I haven't mocked anyone. I've questioned whether TD knitting is challenging negative stereotypes (is something being associated with elderly women a negative stereotype? That's certainly a question the explore from a feminist perspective) and I and a number of others have raised his attitudes towards women. A number of those who are pleased with his knitting have admitted they didn't even know about those attitudes. I get that those of you who enjoy knitting are pleased with him raising the craft profile, but you're going to get feminists raising his misogyny on the Sex and Gender discussion board. Not sure why that would be a surprise.

Pumperthepumper · 02/08/2021 17:51

lazylinguist · 02/08/2021 17:47

It is in fact possible to give a shit about more than one issue at a time. The more serious ones don't just cancel out all the other ones. Shrugging and mocking people for caring about getting rid of sex-based stereotypes doesn't help any cause whatsoever.

FloralBunting · 02/08/2021 17:45

You can feel free to laud him for his great strides in promoting knitting equality, and I'll feel equally free to be completely unimpressed with his attitude towards women. I'm sure we'll both have a useful impact on women's lives by focusing on what's important to us in that sphere. Go well.

Pumperthepumper · 02/08/2021 17:38

It’s going to be pretty lonely on that hill if you’re waiting for someone perfect to start challenging any kind of gender role.

FloralBunting · 02/08/2021 17:32

Pumperthepumper · 02/08/2021 17:31

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FloralBunting · 02/08/2021 17:28

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LastSummerHere · 02/08/2021 17:18

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Abhannmor · 02/08/2021 17:11

I didn't know he was a supporter of men invading women's sports. Or buying babies. Still I worry about the lad. Knitting and crochet are dangerous hobbies nowadays. Hope he isn't sucked into a 'purity spiral '.

Trampolean · 02/08/2021 17:11

@Dyrne

Do women get slated for knitting any more though? Maybe it’s just the circles I hang around in, but crafty stuff is quite popular with the young’uns now isn’t it? Knitting hasn’t been seen as a “granny” thing for years afaik.

I wouldnt say heavily slated, but most groups I've been in have had unsavoury comments- not arsed though. Crochet is more popular with young people now, knitting still invites ridiculous comments, if you apply for a job in tech though its worth a mention.

Dyrne · 02/08/2021 17:08

Do women get slated for knitting any more though? Maybe it’s just the circles I hang around in, but crafty stuff is quite popular with the young’uns now isn’t it? Knitting hasn’t been seen as a “granny” thing for years afaik.

merrymouse · 02/08/2021 17:08

@lazylinguist

I'm not remotely interested in patting TD on the back (and didn't know about the surrogacy until this thread). I'm interested in people seeing that knitting is for everyone.

Regardless of what anyone thinks of TD on this board, if you want an answer to the question posed by the thread, this is the answer.

Most people just see an athlete who won a gold medal after many years of trying and likes knitting.

Trampolean · 02/08/2021 17:07

@lazylinguist

I'm not remotely interested in patting TD on the back (and didn't know about the surrogacy until this thread). I'm interested in people seeing that knitting is for everyone.

There are plenty of men who knit now, I've been in knitting and crochet groups for years and there have always been blokes, and people tend to take the mick out of all of us under 80 regardless of biological sex. I agree that gender stereotypes are a load of crap, not sure knitting is something that's particularly causing a lot of issues. It's interesting though that man sat doing a craft activity millions of people do is being lauded by some as breaking down harmful stereotypes, yet women doing so proves a million times harder. As men are the default it's always oh well women should be able to do x, y or z, nought remarkable about that.

BlithePilgrim · 02/08/2021 17:07

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