I'm a feminist-ask me anything.

[BertrandRussell]

and available for all.

In dying to ask do you shave your legs. I really CBA most of the time. My mum would tell me to shave them so I said you don't tell my brother to shave his.

Yes, I do shave my legs sometimes. Making non feminist choices on occasion does not mean you’re not a feminist!

I think feminism is relevant for all women. Poor and disadvantaged women suffer disproportionality from structural inequality.

The equality/liberation thing is interesting. Technically, equality can be achieved by legislation. Liberation means a change in society- a change in the way women are perceived.

< slopes off as Bertrand ignoring my questions >

Spoke too soon -cross posting!

Ah, thank you. I didn’t know what that meant. I never had the nerve to ask in Feminism Chat

I won’t ignore any question- so if I don’t answer it means I’ve missed it. Poke me!

Yes, I do shave my legs sometimes. Making non feminist choices on occasion does not mean you’re not a feminist!

Why do you consider shaving your legs to be a non-feminist choice? Isn't it imporant that you exercise choice and do not feeling obligated either way?

Women are socialized to conform to a very narrow view of beauty.
Hairy is one of the most unacceptable things a woman can be. Ideally, we’d resist the pressure society puts on us to conform - but it’s hard.

In your opinion is strip dancing/glamour modelling and sex work compatible with feminism?

No.

I am bewildered by the preponderance of trans threads in Feminism Chat. Is this really the single biggest issue facing women?

Why do some in society believe it is ok to exploit or treat as inferior the body of women, in caring, work, lack of correct medical care (eg, our bodies are never used to test drugs so everything is off license for us), sex work, surrogacy etc?

I know it's not my thread but I can answer that one, Aridane.

It's currently the most important issue because if we can't define the word "woman" in terms of the law or policy, then we're in line to lose all the protections under the Equality Act. And in lots of other contexts.

As an example, if single sex spaces turn into spaces for "anyone who feels like a woman or says they do" then we've lost those spaces. They become unisex. Women fought for refuges, for rape crisis centres, even for public loos. Losing them is massively retrograde.

The aggressive trans lobby are trying to frame it that 12 y.o. girls who don't want to see penis in their changing room are bigots. So, yes, it's a big deal.

I think it is a big issue, yes. I agree that the number of very similar, if not identical threads is frustrating, but I think people are coming to the idea all the time- and posting new threads rather than reading old ones. I do worry that the trans debate is taking up a lot of feminist energy, though, and I wonder what we're missing while our eyes are off the rest of the pitch......

Why do you think feminism has such a bad image, Bertrand? Because I've met women who make a point of saying that they aren't feminists, don't like feminism and yet, if you question them, they don't want to give up any of feminism's gains.

CompleteHalfamile- because misogyny?

Can I ask that this doesn't end up a trans debate? There are plenty of them! I'm happy to give my views, but I'm not sure it it would be constructive for me to defend them on this thread!

Hmm-feminism's bad image. Well, a press with a vested interest in maintaining the patriarchy is a big part of it. I've been around since Women's Lib and the press used exactly the same tactics then-except a bit less subtle. There are many women who are very happy in the patriarchy too- and get angry and defensive if their position is challenged. Life is more difficult as a feminist! And the image of the hairy legged, dungareed Milli Tant figure is enduring. And some feminists have said things that, once filtered by the press or by Chinese whispers sound pretty bat shit. And batshit travels faster and further than sensible any day of the week.

What is your favourite feministy book?

Can a man be a feminist?

Books- hmm. The Woman's Room and the Female Enuch from my youth. Delusions of Gender. How to be a Woman. The Handmaid's Tale. Woman and Power. Sorry-did you say a book?

I don't think a man can be a feminist. A feminist ally, yes, but not a feminist.

Could only be you starting this one

Was your husband a feminist ally when you met him or did you teach him a lot?

Genuine question, not being sarky.