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

[Diamondback]

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?

Earthymama, how can you not see Jenni Murray as smug? Even her own mother condemned her daughter's smugness as she lay dying - that was reported by Murray herself!

Jenni Murray is not smug, she is confident.

She comes across as relaxed and comfortable.

I'm now wondering if she would be described as smug if she were a man.

She certainly would be described as smug if she were a man.

Oh I love it.

And it does cover a very wide range of subjects.

Also remember that the majority of r4 listeners are well over 50 so they are going to try and cater to that demographic.

WH..the audience is 30+ without an upper limit.

there are loads of programmes aimed at 20-sth women, bugger all for ancient ole crones. SO lets not criticise it for taking an older audience.

the audience is typically MC.

so no, a feature of agonising about private school is not misplaced, nor is one about DV, or 'being the OW', or crochet..

my main criticism is thy often put really serious issues into very short discussion slots, which can result in a slightly tabloid treatment.

Crawling up men's arses is generally to be discouraged, however.

JM often displays real vulnerability about her own experiences as a parent

EAP I like most of your post, but why "ancient ole crone"?

Aren't there enough negative stereotypes of women already?

there is criticism for being a programme for 30+-sths (ie v. definitely not ancient ole crones, and frankly, even the 80+ market deserves some programming, ancient and crone-like or otherwise...)

I am included in their target audience, therefore embracing and mocking the stereotype...

Older women are the most under-represented group in the UKs media. Programming for/with the already well-catered for market of young cool things is not Radio 4s job.

oh, you mean Middle Class Womens Hour??