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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think Women's Hour needs some new, non-victimy, subject matter

60 replies

Diamondback · 14/12/2011 11:23

Maybe IABU, as I'm not a regular WH listener, but every time I hear the programme trailed on Today, at least one of the items is domestic abuse or sexual violence related.

Can't they think of any programme ideas that are about interesting women, making positive contributions to the world? Women researching cures for cancer, working for Nasa, running big tech companies or building wells where clean water is scarce?

I'll probably get deluged now by responses saying 'but didn't you hear that one time they interviewed this person/covered that thing', etc, but there does seem to be an unrelenting tide of victimhood washing through the programme. Or is it just me?

OP posts:
stuffedauberginexmasdinner · 14/12/2011 14:41

Akmd- yes there is a chicken and egg element to it but it's on r4, I don't think it's ever going to get a broad spectrum of listeners.

What they should do is have a 'teen' women's hour on r1 after school.

Original poster
Diamondback · 14/12/2011 14:48

Also, if there is a story on DV or sexual violence, surely it should be on Today, as it affects EVERYONE! Not hidden in the WH ghetto Xmas Hmm

And maybe they could have a standalone cooking show that isn't for ladies. The only person interested in recipes in my house is my husband!

OP posts:
PipPipPip · 14/12/2011 15:11

I love WH too, but where are the women in their 20s???

campocaro · 14/12/2011 15:18

I suspect that the trailers on the Today programme concentrate more on the serious issues on WH. I've always found the programme to have a good balance of serious, informative , entertaining and more trivial items.

Quenelle · 14/12/2011 15:20

I don't hear WH but I listen to Today on the drive to work. The psychological abuse thing was discussed on Today this morning, and they addressed it to abused men as well as abused women.

TheAvocadoOfWisdom · 14/12/2011 15:41

yanbu. Jenni Murray has a special low-toned sympathetic victimy voice. I think it just needs to be nuanced a bit towards overcoming difficulties, rather than the low-toned terrible terrible bit.

working9while5 · 14/12/2011 16:44

There's been a lot of dv in my family, and a close relative was raped, but I understand the sentiment here. I particularly disagree with these issues being classed as "women's issues". Today on Jeremy Vine (yes, I know, I know) they were discussing the proposed new changes to the domestic violence legislation and it struck me how important it is to have women's stories aired within a wider audience and also allow the narrow-minded view of some to be challenged (e.g. trollish male saying emotional abuse wasn't worthy of copper's attention despite discussion about the risks posed by coercive controlling men who go on to kill their whole families).

Nothing wrong with having a female space, I like having it here, but WH seems very alienating to me.

Whateveryousaymustberight · 14/12/2011 20:05

Avocado, I agree about Jenni Murray's voice and generally prefer it when someone else stands in for her. Martha Kearney? Also, it always seems like American intellectuals are over-represented. Not that I listen every day, so perhaps I'm wrong. But I do wonder where the rest of the world is when it comes to educated women? Nothing against Americans by the way, quite the opposite.

Whatmeworry · 14/12/2011 20:10

I think WHis pretty balanced but IMO Today sometimes goes overboard on the bleeding-hearts agenda, maybe they need to diversify what they choose to trail on WH ?

Mirage · 14/12/2011 22:18

I listen to WH every day whilst working and much prefer Jane Garvey to Jenni Murray-I agree completely about Jenni's voice.I wish they wouldn't keep getting Sarah Veal from the TUC on,she is rude,hectoring,interrupts and shouts down whoever else is on with her.If I was even slightly tempted to join a union,the thought of the likes of her being in charge would put me right off.

GoingForGoalWeight · 14/12/2011 22:32

My mum has always listened to WH, She is not middle class,,

LRDtheFeministDragon · 14/12/2011 22:53

Despite your apology I'm not sure you get it ... why do you assume that these women aren't strong?

I do like to hear about women being strong, but TBH, women 'making positive contributions to the world' include women who survive and fight back against DV and rape. You may not find them interesting or inspiring, but it sounds from your OP as if you're quite capable of finding your own inspiration - you obviously know which women and professions inspire you. So maybe you don't need this programme so much?

Llareggub · 14/12/2011 23:02

I think WH is marvellous. I listen on iplayer at various times of the day and am usually pleasantly surprised by each segment. For example, I listened to one today about the dressmaker on Strictly Come Dancing. Now, this isn't a programme I have any interest in but the segment was fascinating, I thought, and more about a woman succeeding in business. I also listened to a young woman talking about her experience of youth unemployment and a Tory minister talking about the stuff he claims to do about it.

Earthymama · 14/12/2011 23:07

I love Women's Hour but like the Guardian's Women pages it has lost it sharp, knife edge. But I still love it and adore Jenni Murray. I'm not so keen on Jane Garvey, she can be really snide.
On Samhain or Beltain she said 'apparently' its a Solstice!
Bet she wouldn't have said that about Eid or Easter Smile
Last week there was a great discussion on feminism in the media with Finn MacKay and Kira Cochrane.
There is a balance of items over the week and they tackle many important issues across the world. I think OP might try listen on iplayer or download the podcasts.
I love the cooking and gardening items, part of this woman's rich tapestry of life.
( this is the second time this week someone has tried to tell me cooking is not serious and important enough for women and feminists to take seriously Sad)

Civilon · 14/12/2011 23:08

The crap stuff is all done by Jenni Murray, who is very patronising and alternates between sucking up to men in a creepy craven way, and pretending to disapprove of them.

Jane Garvey is far, far, far better. There is another woman presenter who does it on occasion, and is OK. But IMO Jane Garvey is brilliant. Not least because she is unremittingly self-deprecating, and you can fully identify with her.

nothingoldcanstay · 14/12/2011 23:12

I think it's great. It's a mainstream radio FFS so you can never please everyone. However I think it steers a good line between common sense and pandering .

LRDtheFeministDragon · 14/12/2011 23:18

earthy - I take my cooking very seriously, may I join you in the feminist cookery corner?

TheAvocadoOfWisdom · 15/12/2011 10:39

I have to say, the thing on the strictly dressmaker was v good.

GrendelsMum · 15/12/2011 20:06

The other presenter is Bidisha, isn't it?

Wasn't there some survey that found that 40% of regular listeners to WH are male?

moondog · 15/12/2011 20:09

I can't believe that such an anachronistic thing still exists.
Women's Hour???
It might have sounded cutting edge in about 1953.

That bloody awful smug woman does it, who wears a scarf on her shoulder.
Mind you i find R4 in its entirity unbearable.

pretendhousewife · 15/12/2011 20:15

Not entirely relevant, but I would love a play or story appropriate for girls, just after school time. Around 4pm would be nice. A boy's story would also be acceptable.

ImperialBlether · 15/12/2011 20:40

Well, I've just gone onto their web page and here are some of the topics. I've never heard anything on there like the OP suggests.

Oh and I love Jane Garvey. I think she's on here - she has to be.

What does it take to build a successful business in such difficult economic times?
Do sex offenders use the same language as lads? mags?
Inspirational women from around the globe
Westminster and the world we live in
History and Science ? women that changed the world
Sport and leisure ? from high achievers to hobbyists
What can parents do to help young people into work?
Exam reform
Civil partnerships and religious venues
Bullying
Summer riots

Civilon · 16/12/2011 00:08

Moondog, I absolutely love the fact that you can't recall the name of the bloody awful smug woman who does it, who wears a scarf on her shoulder.

Think you would like Jane Garvey, who does not wear a scarf on her shoulder.

Earthymama · 16/12/2011 00:22

Am horrified that you think Jenni is smug! She's had a successful career as a working mother and is so good a getting people to talk.
I wonder if it's an age thing, she's around my age and I feel some kind of empathy and see JG as the Upstart? Grin
LRD of course you may join me, especially if you do not view cake making as part of the patriarchal hegemony!
(RL thing, talk about the personal being political!!)
I listen to R4 all the time, it's the background to my life and WH is an intrinsic part of the rhythm of my day.

xyfactor · 16/12/2011 04:22

Have to agree with moondog on this one.

And it's pronounced....womens aaahhhr to the brethren that listen intently.

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