...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?

SpeakNoWords - I think actually a lot of feminism is v explicitly anti-sex work, so you're on the normal MN side there.

I made money in uni working as a stripper and had a fair few friends working in other parts of the sex industry who came out of it fairly well adjusted with no deep seated trauma, so I don't think I'm allowed in the club.

A little from column a...

I'm joking around with someone, heaven forbid. And you think it's the feminists who are humourless!!

Do you think it's anti-women to be anti-prostitution?

The feminist boards on here make me run a mile.
I wandered onto one once where Little Miss and Mr Men books were the root of all evil.
It made me chuckle and when I tried to say they were just children's books and I'm sure nobody was ever damaged by reading one, I got told off big time!
Never wandered over there again after that

louis

And no one in the last couple of posts was even saying that they dont identify as a feminist

Going to bed now anyway so if anyone says anything and i dont reply i am not being rude

Don't get me wrong I'm all for equality but they don't allow anything to remain innocent the way it was intended. They are very deep!

Feminists do not care about the Middle East.
Fact

Feminists also don't worry about facts, rufus
Fact.

I'm sure it's just a random tirade right after I said that sometimes feminists don't even use facts to argue it's just a popular feminists theory and that it seems many focus on trivial things and not really big issues that need addressing like FGM, and tbh I wouldn't be surprised if I had grammatical mistakes or autocorrect errors either...

The reason why I don't identify as femenist despite beliving strongly in gender equality is that femenist is very much an undefined term. When you call yourself a femenist it is not at all clear at all what you mean. There are a lot o beliefs and policies that are labelled as feminist that I do not agree with and do not fit into my understanding of gender equality. I don't want to be misunderstood so when people ask me these kinds of questions my response is that I believe that people should be free to do whatever they like provided that 1. They do not usurp or infringe upon the rights of another, 2. They do not go against principles of natural justice and 3. They act honourably. Some people's definitions of feminism fit into this world view, others do not. Those who think of femenism as something that corresponds with my beliefs are free to view me as a femenist. Those who think otherwise are free to think of me as the anti-Christ.

SpeakNoWords - I'm not sure I understand the question. I think it makes my friends who have worked as escorts or dancers or porn performers feel looked down on and dehumanized. I think it certainly makes me feel like I'm not welcome in those circles unless I want to put on a big victim hat and be patronized. And I think it is unhelpful for a lot of women who have either worked or are working in that industry.

But I'm not an expert and obviously other people may have different opinions. I don't think it makes all anti-sex work feminists evil or anything. Just people I would probably be uncomfortable around and would rather avoid.

Aaah so not me then

Sorry beyond i am passing the buck on this one

I obviously havent gone to bed but i am going now before you come back and yell that i have thrown you under the bus

You need to read my posts louis they are full of grammatical mistakes and spelling mistakes and punctuation mistakes

I was....as always ....taking the piss out of myself

And in beyonds defence i think the middle east comment was about miss who was coming on earlier every 2/3 posts to say that nobody on the thread cared about the middle east

I believe in sexual equality. The feminist boards on MN are why I refuse to identify as a Feminist.

This ^^ 100%

That and the fact that as soon as you 'label' yourself publicly as anything really, a lot of people seem to think they know all about you before even speaking to you, because they make assumptions based on the words and actions of some prominent feminists/feminist groups.

I'll continue to educate my 3 boys about equality. I'll continue to pick people up in RL when they say "Oh, women have got equality now". I'll continue to point out inequality in my niece's relationships when they come to me for advice and I'll continue as the chair of governors at my local primary school, to ensure all children and staff get the same opportunities.

But I will not and do not allow other people to label me.

Ask yourself Rufus. Do they care?

It's a fact they are made of stronger stuff than your average western feminist. You see pink ribbons as the patriarchy being oppressive, they are kicking the asses of their oppressors. They'd laugh at you if they met you

I'm asking if you thinks it's unreasonable to be anti-prostitution. To ask if you think that being anti-prostitution makes you anti women who are involved in prostitution?

I think it's possible to discuss why I think prostitution is bad for women and society, without demonising or stigmatising women who are involved in it. All the discussions I've been involved with or read on the Feminist Chat board have been like that.

SpeakNoWords - this is not how I have felt reading discussions on this subject. I know friends of mine who have worked in prostitution have felt the same. But obviously, I can't speak for all of them.

I guess my feeling is that I don't see how you can argue that women don't have the right to utilize their bodies as they wish, or that any woman who makes that choice must be abused/broken/deluded/addicted/stupid/wrong and be supportive or inclusive of them. But this is purely my opinion.

Hope this link works but I'll leave this here

goo.gl/images/P8koP4

miss

How rude

Anyway...i am deffo going to bed

Right now

4th image down. Ignore the others

Of course not all women involved in prostitution are victims. But many are. To say so is not to stigmatise or demonise them, or to say they are stupid or deluded.

Some women make a totally free and happy choice to become a prostitute, or strip or do porn. What percentage of prostitutes do you think that applies to?

(I'm conscious btw that I'm derailing this thread, and maybe this isn't the right place for another discussion about prostitution.)

What's the point you are trying to make Misswatch

My point is clear if you follow the link and scroll down to the fourth image

Some good points on here.

I would never use a label to define the way I feel about society.

I also agree that I don't want to b yelled at and told I am not a Feminist because I have a particular view about something. Who made you God of the Movement with divine right to decide who can and cannot be in the club and what the Rules are now?

I want to be able to fight my fight - not talk about it. (And I do). I want to be able to love my son without being told I am a rape apologist - yes really!!

I have yet to see a definition of the term that is agreed upon by more than about three people so how could I possibly say that I "identify" as one!

For me personally the only people who have ever made me feel unequal and lesser are people who call themselves feminists.