Am I a Karen?

[Magnoliamarigold]

Currently in a debate with a 19 year old nephew about transgender issues.

I believe gender is a social construct. But:

I don't believe in puberty blockers for 10 year olds.
I'm currently on my third IVF cycle and for this reason I'm not convinced young people (over 18) should take hormone replacement therapy.

Been reliably informed this makes me a Karen. AIBU?

'Karen' is a horrible misogynistic term. Anyone who uses it to shut women down is BU.

I am 28 so probably a lot younger than you and I agree with you.

It is very difficult for young women to be sterilised even if they are adamant for years they don't want kids. Even if they are mums of only children it's still hard. Simply because people do change their minds. Why should it be different for hormone replacement therapy.

Eye roll at this needlessly provokative thread

@SquirryTheSquirrel

'Karen' is a horrible misogynistic term. Anyone who uses it to shut women down is BU.

This.

I'd point out his bigotry in using 'karen'. Then I'd back away from the argument. This is one that you won't change his mind on and you will tie yourself in knots over. I like the odd debate with a teen, but I wouldn't go heavily into arguments with them.

*provocative

Is your 19 year old nephew engaging in any form of critical thinking or discussion on the subject, or just parroting things read online to you with no further discussion? (Including the insult of "Karen" which is just such a ridiculous term to use)

YANBU - some people result to insults when they can't engage in any form of discussion unless you share the exact same opinion as them

Do children with precocious puberty take puberty blockers ? If so I think that is ok but I don't think that they should be encouraged for transitioning purposes

I don't think you're a Karen but I think your nephew is an immature numpty.

@Letsallscreamatthesistene

Eye roll at this needlessly provokative thread

Agree

In the scenario you've described I can't see that you have tried to weaponise you being a white woman to the detriment of a person of colour. So I'd say no, in this instance you are not a Karen.

"I have an opinion that loads of people on here hold, I want to post it on a board where I know I'll get lots of agreement and attention and start another 'debate' about trans people AIBU"

Yes, you are. If you're so sure of your opinion why do you need validation?

Your nephew seems to understand ‘Karen’ as ‘a person who disagrees with me’.

He’s being ridiculous.

The idea of puberty blockers for 10 year olds being seen as ‘a good thing’ brings me out in a cold sweat.

I wouldn't engage with anyone who called me "Karen".

I wouldn't be having debate or discussion with anyone using they ageist and misogynistic language.

Tell your 19 year old nephew to stop using such misogynistic language.

You're not BU but your nephew is a misogynist.

Your nephew is a misogynist trying to shame you into silence by using the Karen slur.
I don’t care what you said to him, trying to win a debate from a woman in this way per definition makes him unreasonable. And a twat.

Ask him why it's always ok to use misogynistic slurs even when everything else is (rightly) verboten.

Who cares what they say or think. Their opinion would be irrelevant to me.

Just ignore him for the name calling - after you’ve told him why.

Anyone who has to use insults in an argument has lost completely, in my view. Same with names like “Remoaners”, “Brexiteers” etc

Am I a Karen?

Is your name Karen?

If yes, then you are a Karen.

If no, then you aren’t a Karen.

Both are fine.

No I think it just makes you sensible. Using misogynist insults is less acceptable but hopefully your nephew will grow out of that.

@DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult

"I have an opinion that loads of people on here hold, I want to post it on a board where I know I'll get lots of agreement and attention and start another 'debate' about trans people AIBU"

Yes, you are. If you're so sure of your opinion why do you need validation?

Agreed.