“Karen” is a misogynist term.

[Bleuuuughhh]

i just would like to get an idea of how other women feel about this term.

It seems deeply unfair there is no equivalent term for badly behaved men. In my eyes, the phase appears to be a new insult to add the huge list women have had add to put up with through the ages.

Women being sexually active is now more acceptable so the terms “Jezebel”, “slag” are not used as widely. Similarly there is an aging population “crone” and “witch” aren’t acceptable . Now a woman who complains, or doesn’t tow the party time is called a “Karen”.

Has anything really actually changed at all?

Are you new to Mumsnet? It’s a very much hated term on here. If you put it into advanced search you’ll get an idea of how much.

I’ve never understood the argument that Karen is a misogynistic term. If a few incels decide to take the piss and use a word differently, does that mean the origin of the word no longer matters?

The origin of the word had nothing to do with ‘keeping women quiet’ or ‘shutting down women’s voices.’ The term Karen is very much used for the right reasons where I am in SW London. It’s only on the internet do I hear, ‘Karen is such a misogynistic term’ but when I ask people for examples, they quote things from a few losers on Reddit

Women being sexually active is now more acceptable so the terms “Jezebel”, “slag” are not used as widely.

I’d have to disagree with you there OP. Slag, hoe and slut are still words I hear way too often

What is the male equivalent then?

i stand corrected. The point is that it is just a new word to be unpleasant. It is used freely by a lot of people who wouldn’t dream of saying “slag” etc.

Was it racist white men abusing their power to get the police called on black people for no reason whatsoever? No. It was white women hence why the term Karen was created.

Again, does the origin of the word not matter because of online incels? Why would there be a male equivalent when the phrase specifically relates to a certain demographic of white women for a reason?

What was the name that white, racist police officers have now then? Barries?
There is there a lot of very unpleasant characters about and a some of them are women. My point is it is acceptable for women to be given a special name.

I agree 100%. Sick of hearing about it.

Completely agree. It may have started out as a way of calling out racist, entitled behaviour, but now it's used for any older woman who dares express an opinion.

Was it racist white men abusing their power to get the police called on black people for no reason whatsoever? No. It was white women hence why the term Karen was created

Do you have the statistics on how many white men versus white women have called the police in black people without provocation?

I’ve heard Kevin used as a male equivalent and heard the phrase “a male Karen.”

There is a whole genre of videos about entitled people on YouTube and instagram. I’m amazed at the behaviour of mostly American people who feel the need to get involved in things that aren’t really their business.

It’s both misogynistic and ageist. I hate it and feel it’s designed to shut women up. We are going backwards when it comes to women’s rights.

It now means that any time a woman complains she is called a Karen. So you literally are stopped from saying anything. So yes it's misogyny, shutting down women's voices purely because they are women, regardless if they are justified or not. and yet a man could complain about the same issue and sure that's fine. Not equal at all. It's utterly crap.

I explained this to my child and how its a not acceptable term. I won't let her watch anything on YouTube about this either. As the kids are all finding it hilarious. But it's not it's deeply disturbing, in relation to women having a voice.

Oh I absolutely hate it too. Just a quick and easy label to slap on a women whose behaviour you don’t like (no matter whether the woman is right or not). What is defined as ‘Karen’ behaviour is really unpleasant but as others have said now any woman speak up or complaining can instantly have her words dismissed by being called a ‘Karen’.

Yup.
Older woman, shut up and just accept gratefully what you are given.
It is ageism and sexism.

@MinnieL I frequently see women being shut down by being called a Karen on the online local community groups. Any slight complaint from a woman risks a Karen branding.

??

Your whole response doesn’t make sense because it has nothing to do with racist police officers, that’s not what I’ve said. Yes it was acceptable for women to be given a special name in America at a time that it was becoming dangerous for the lives of black people

It’s extremely clear that you don’t know how the term came about and what it actually means so there’s no point carrying on the conversation really. I’m asking you does the origin of the word not matter and you don’t even know how the word came about!

It's my actual name so I really hate it being used as a slur.

Why would anyone have the statistics when it’s not based on that is it?

Time and time again, there have been a certain demographic of white women in America that have called the police of black people for simply existing. There’s so many examples of ‘Karen’s’ in this situation all over the internet.

Now were there men that were turning on the waterworks and contacting the police to act as a victim despite being on camera? Maybe but I haven’t come across any. So why would there be statistics when it was a phrase that simply came about due to SO many black peoples experiences with white women in America

And I completely get that. But does the meaning of the word not matter because idiots take the piss and use the term ‘Karen’ unnecessarily?

I know a lovely Karen and feel sorry for her. Its an awful thing to have your name associated with such negativity all of a sudden.

It's origin and mainstream meaning was always intended as a misogynist term. It was created and popularised by (mostly) white men on Reddit. It was co-opted later for alternative purposes/definitions but that was taken from its original and still widely used purpose, which was misogynistic. So of course it is.

It’s ageist and sexist and I bloody hate it. Especially when used by other women, it makes them complicit in slapping down others of their sex.

I hate it too. Incidentally, all the women called Karen I have ever known have been lovely people.

Totally agree OP. It’s ‘woman, know your place’ and most upsetting when other women use it.