AIBU to be disappointed with Theresa May's response to "Legs-it"

[Gonzales27]

AIBU to feel that May has missed a chance to take a real stand for feminism here! I'm sick of woman taking this crap lying down for fear of being seen as humourless or hysterical, while all the time the ability of strong females is being seriously undermined.
(Ps not particularly a big fan of May generally)

Quote from sky news :

The Prime Minister has dismissed the sexism row over the Daily Mail's "Legs-it" headline, saying it's "just a bit

The paper sparked an angry backlash after reducing talks between Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon to a battle of the legs with a picture of two women and the headline "Never mind Brexit, who won Legs-it!".
The newspaper was accused of "stealing its headlines from the 1950s" and lambasted as "moronic" and "sexist" by MPs.
But Mrs May said: "If people want to have a bit of fun about how we dress, then so be it."

FWIW I didn't visit the DM site either.

Regarding victim blaming, TM is two things in the context of this story; she is both the object of a sexist headline, and the PM. As the victim of a sexist headline she doesn't have to answer to anyone in how she feels about it. As the Prime Minister answering questions about it in a (presumably) professional interview in her role as PM, she basically said of a sexist incident that it was "a bit of a laugh". Which IMO is not on.

My view is that the underlying issue here is not petty. It represents how woman are perceived every day. The everyday sexism has big implications for us all.

I think it was a good response; to me it was just putting the story where it belongs- in the "not worthy" category.

I think a vehement response would have adds fuel to the fire, it would have made the headline seem to have "got to her" and I think downplaying it deliberately vague was a sensible decision.

She didn't ignore it though Livia, what she said was tantamount to her tacit approval of the journalism. She could have ignored it, she could have deflected the question (she is a politician after all), but she chose to respond. And her response was flat-out bull.

Completely agree with you OP but I'd expect nothing less (or indeed, more) from TM.

Epoxy said it better than me

I dont think its petty, when i say its depressing that we have to have this debate, i mean its depressing that in 2017 this has even happened. Two world leaders were objectified publicly in the way so many women are, every. single. day. Should TM have squashed it - yes. She's the most powerful person in the country, who else can or will if she wont.

Not quite sure how to post a link but just saw this on another thread and though it was kind of relevant here to. Although I'm not sure anyone would ever call Theresa May a girl!

go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=<iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/qHH3lhYwqcY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen>

She's really disappointed me. Too scared to piss off self-styled Alpha Males. There are plenty of ways she could have dismissed this headline with humour while making a clear point about how dreadful it was.

Most of the people who think she should have said something would never vote for her anyway so it makes little difference.

And it's a bit odd that women are telling other women how they should feel and react.

Maybe she genuinely doesn't care - she's the most senior politician in the country, she doesn't have to make a huge point out of every petty issue

LiviaDrusillaAugusta

Most of the people who think she should have said something would never vote for her anyway so it makes little difference.

Great point - I'd be more impressed with the people complaining if they were current or likely supporters. Other parties will supply buckets of futile outrage on demand, but that's not what most of her supporters want.

Has Wee Jimmy Krankie NS said anything? She's not normally short of things to say

And it's a bit odd that women are telling other women how they should feel and react.

Um, no, people have an opinion on how their prime minister should act.

Most of the people who think she should have said something would never vote for her anyway so it makes little difference.

I didn't vote for this government so I can't call them out when their figurehead is a bit shit? Yes I can.

Maybe she genuinely doesn't care - she's the most senior politician in the country, she doesn't have to make a huge point out of every petty issue

Nope, it would seem that you and her both simply do not care that women out there everywhere are being held back and demeaned in their careers by sexist pigs determined to focus on their physical assets and not their ability in their jobs. "Why should I care? I managed to make it to the top in my career - I'm PM after all - so there clearly isn't that big a a problem. You go ahead boys, it's just a bit of fun after all. Women, suck it up and get back to work!".

Daily mash nails it !

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/media/its-just-a-bit-of-fun-says-soulless-hate-filled-editor-of-daily-mail-20170328124953

And more seriously ....

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/mar/28/daily-mail-legs-it-front-page-theresa-may-nicola-sturgeon?CMP=fb_gu

Maybe she genuinely doesn't care - she's the most senior politician in the country, she doesn't have to make a huge point out of every petty issue

I sure she understands how such a headline is an example of everyday sexism. A response of "It's the Daily Mail, what do you expect?" would have been a perfect response.