...to feel depressed that only 7% of UK identify as Feminist?

[DioneTheDiabolist]

www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/2016/01/we-are-a-nation-of-hidden-feminists/

7% of the population and just 9% of women in this country identify as feminist. I'm not saying that everyone should call themselves feminist, I care more about what people do, rather than the label they assign themselves. But I am that the number is so low.

Given that most people believe in sexual equality, why do so many people not feel comfortable to call themselves feminist? And what (if anything) can we do about it?

On another note, did you read f4j received compensation from a pro choice or abortion group? I only skim read the article so details are sketchy

I hate tennis players. And pensioners. And Adele.

They do not give a shiny shit about women in the middle east. I know them all and it's discusting.

Cue posters saying I've just turned billions of impressionable minds off feminism.

Ah the power!

Missswatch
You're quick to make goady comments and slow to answer direct questions.

missswatch

So...how do you think UK feminists can improve the lives of women abroad?

Link?

So - what do you think UK feminists can do about the very real issues affecting women in the Middle East (and the rest of the world)

Start by raising awareness. I'll bet you and many more have never heard of Malala, Asia Ramazan Antar or evan Ayaan Hirsi Ali (ok Ayaan is more western but her views are controversial to people of the middle east)

Omg. i thought feminists were the patronising ones? They've got nothing on you missswatch!

Start by raising awareness

Awareness is great. And it's true that MN feminism (and UK feminism) does tend to focus on issues affecting women in the UK.

Which is probably natural as things closer to home are a lot easier to tackle and to understand.

Lol that you think people haven't heard of Malala. You are funny, miss!

Wow, just catching up with this. I find it so odd to hear posters calling FWR posters rude, aggressive and man hating. I genuinely don't see it and I lurk on those boards all day, every day!!!! I know, I know I need to get a life. But seriously I honestly haven't seen any of the behaviours you describe in fact I regularly thank my lucky stars for the education I have received simply from reading those boards. I see a lot of robust debate, I see a variety of different opinions differing strands of feminism debating and discussing. More often than not I see Mra types or hairy handed posters harassing or derailing and the patience and coherency of the FWR posters to engage and get their point across is literally astounding. I feel as though they're doing their national service, the same tedious, simplistic arguments which particular types just don't seem "to get"

I wonder if posters who are seeing these behaviours (of FWR posters to be rude and aggressive) are misunderstanding a lot of the time and please don't jump on me and say I'm calling everyone who doesn't agree stupid because I'm genuinely not. I simply recognise from my own experience that opinions I held perhaps four years ago I realise now were undeveloped. For example the trans debate I have many trans friends so at a first glance those threads seem quite unfriendly but the more you read, the longer you educate yourself the harder you think about these issues about the importance of objective reality over subjective reality the more you realise those threads aren't cruel or mocking or anti trans whatsoever. Ironically I'm now Spartacus as are a number of my trans friends. It's the same with Islam and the sex industry I feel. I've done some dancing and although I absolutely LOVED it on one level I enjoyed the freedom and the performance aspects and the psychology it doesn't mean I can't recognise that it feeds into a culture that objectifies women. It doesn't mean I'm not a feminist it simply means nothing happens in a vacuum and sometimes we all make choices that might benefit us personally but perhaps not as a class. Why is it wrong to question our choices? I don't understand this automatic assumption that if someone doesn't agree with your actions they're must hate you and throw you out of the feminist club.

I can see it now

The year is 2050 and women of the ME are liberated

Western feminist: Oh wow, you did well. Let me tell you how Mr Men books are sexist

ME feminist: While you enjoyed a stable job and laws protecting you, we were under threats of being raped daily, being stoned to death and far worse things you can imagine. Off you fuck

Missswatch can I ask you what you do to support feminists in the Middle East and other parts of the world where women are similarly treated? What steps do you yourself take to help them progress towards their goals? We could learn from your example.

Just to be clear I myself don't have too much against Jess Phillips although I don't like how she didn't want that discussion on international men's day.

And whilst I don't really condone holding up a bill on DV just because one doesn't say only women if it states women then it's no good for men such as how women can't legally rape a man, I'm not sure why it has to be woman exclusive.

Speaknowords I may risk outing myself. Don't really want to be doxxed

Oh that's a shame. Can you describe what you do without the details? In general terms?

I have never had a discussion about Mr Men books with other feminists

I feel I have missed out maybe I am not a real western feminist

Yes i am interested too Missswatch

The Feminist boards on MN are full of brilliant, informed and intelligent debate. I don't understand the criticisms made on this thread. I lurk most days on the feminist threads. Perhaps some people don't like idea of upsetting the apple cart, even a little. Isn't that just being 'good girls'? Fuck that!

^Contrariness has to be the main one. Happy to speak of men as a whole, yet demand women are treated as individuals.

Mansplaining is fine, scream like a girl isn't.

Some speculate until the cows home 'I think this, I think that' Someone posts an opposing view and 'link!!' is barked at them. Anecdotal is fine for mn feminists, no one else though.

Mn feminists call everyone MRA/troll/gf who disagrees with them.^

This exactly !

It's nothing to do with that Ibelieve. On a number of occasions I have both witnessed and experienced people disagreeing with a point which is largely agreed on the boards and being met with patronising, insulting responses, links to articles from spurious sources to prove a point (very poorly), and accusations of being a victim of conditioning if one doesn't automatically assume that a woman is right and a man wrong - which is a very effective way of shutting down anyone who doesn't agree and maintaining a sense of superiority and control.

And repeated calls for 'link' to the thread where things were said to prove a point, which is ridiculous when we are talking about 10 years worth of contributions to a forum.