To be a bit dismayed if 4 million women visit this site,why are there so few posts on the feminism threads?

[Scarletohello]

Ok so I know there are lots of lurkers but if there are really millions of women who go on MN, why are so many threads on the feminism section consisting of so few women? It doesn't make sense to me as so many issues that
women post about on many different topics are actually feminist issues when it comes down to it...

shwept - I don't think feminism is about choices.

No, it's not up to feminists to stop women shaving shewept. There is nothing wrong with shaving. What feminists want to see the end of is the expectation that women will shave such that women genuinely feel free to do either. All research carried out on shaving indicates that young women in particular feel they have to shave or they will be ridiculed by men.

Interesting thread. However, I suppose one question that occurs to me is how far the regular FWR posters have a responsibility to post in a manner that suits people who don't post there? I suppose I wonder how far women have to go to accomodate everyone else's preferences?

Personally, I haven't had the problems that some have discussed with FWR and I enjoy reading and participating there, and if there is a secret group, I've not heard about it.

Well i went, I saw, I commented. The threads seem a bit too quick moving for me and some things get a bit confusing for my tired brain this evening but since it was on an lighthearted thread hopefully no bun fighting.

I do remember a spectacular fight on one of the forums I was on about sex being antifeminist with someone saying my friend was kiding herself if she thought sex was a faminist thing to do. This is without the old PIV argument since my friend is a lesbian and made it very clear. Personally I think the other poster was on wine or glue.

I think other women are far more likely to ridicule unshaved legs than men.

maliaki - i rarely post on FWR. I went over there and posted on the lighthearted feminist issue thread. I think there are some serious threads, some boring ones, and every so often, a lighthearted one.

But what about the gender inequality in that men can't have children unless they find a willing woman?

I think other women are far more likely to ridicule unshaved legs than men.

Which I think is where part of problem with all choices being valid if a woman makes it. Many women are happy to do the patriarchy's work and police women. And I think that is a problem with issues like shaving. It's something I do myself (and I have breast implants), so it's not like I don't get the pressures. But sometimes you've got to question your own choices and accept that the place where you were when you made that choice was not a feminist place.

I really think men need to organise to help male victims, just like women did to help women. Nobody gave us refuges, many women have worked very hard and used their own money, to make them possible. And the help to women is reducing.

But what about the gender inequality in that men can't have children unless they find a willing woman?

What's the solution to that one Biscuits? Have children with unwilling women? Or construct an artificial womb? I think they're working on that last one actually.

cailin - Some things are just down to biology. Nothing discriminatory about that.

Why do these threads always descend into arguments about minge waxing and alleged persecution by hairy, grunting women?

It doesn't fucking happen. What happens is what cailindana said.

That's called a discussion shewept not an edict.

I used to have a Brazilian as it happens. I don't any more for various reasons - cost was the main one. That and the fact that I looked like Hitler down there when I was lying on my side.

"Many women are happy to do the patriarchy's work and police women"

It's comments like this that put me off feminists.

What's the solution to that one Biscuits?

Margaret Atwood had some interesting thoughts in that one.

Buffy, I agree. But I also think the government's policies and thinking on domestic abuse are based on feminist viewpoints from 40 years ago.
We've moved on so much since then I think we need to look again - and I'm not saying I know what the answer is. But the assumption that domestic violence is something that men do to women isn't always right. It doesn't take into account the relatively high rate of domestic abuse among gay men, for example.

It's comments like this that put me off feminists.

I regret to say that it won't stop me making them. If my freedom to express my views turns you from feminism, I'll try to bear the burden with courage.

How is the percentage of women in government in any way relevant to equality? No man or woman has the "right" to be an MP, they have the right to try and become one. As long as both genders are allowed to run in the election then there is equality on that subject. Men are also attacked by women sometimes. It doesn't mean that they don't have equality.

It is a feminist issue because of how Councillors and MPs are selected. It is a very political process and merit only plays a small part in the selection process.

cailindana, I don't think there necessarily needs to be a solution. But maybe an acceptance that we are lucky to have the privilege to carry children, the option to use a sperm donor, time off work with a baby, generally more contact with children than dads if a relationship breaks up.

cali actually I think alot of feminist think it is, the same as they think its up to them to stop taking their husbands names. By belittling the choice.

Also limited I am fully aware its a discussion. I do know how forums work. Hak announced the 'edict' I am discussing why I disagree with her. If that's ok?

I don't have a problem with that.

You have the freedom to express your views, as do I.

My view is feminists like you do not represent the views of the vast majority of women and this thread would seem to back me up.

No doubt you will say I'm a tool of the patriarchy, or I've been conditioned to think this by the patriarchy or that I'm living in a state of false consciousness promoted by the patriarchy.

lucycant 'heard from midwives' doesn't make it fact, though.

lucycant I do prefer AIBU for the variety and because I like a good wtf thread though there seems (and it may just be my perception) to have been a fair few troll OPs recently, I've seen quite a few more then normal pulled in the last couple of months.