Something I've often wondered...

[CurlewKate]

...well, something I've wondered since I joined Mumsnet, because it wasn't an issue in my life before. When do women become School Gate Mums, or MILs or Old Biddies? And are there any other categories of woman that are completely fair game and automatically in the wrong? And is this just the patriarchy in action?

When do women become School Gate Mums, or MILs or Old Biddies?

Well obviously they become school gate mums when they have children to pick up from school and MILS when they have dc who get married. That doesn't mean that they should be automatically mocked or vilified for belonging to those groups. As for old biddies... that's ageism and probably misogyny. Deginitely the patriarchy in action, though it has a fair few handmaids too. I'd very much recommend reading 'Hags' by Victoria Smith if you haven't already. It might raise your blood pressure though!

I'm not a mum so you won't find me at the school gate nor will I be a MIL and I would refuse your label as an Old biddie even at the age of 97.