AIBU to think women should collectively down tools to demand change?

[ZoeHS]

Reflecting on current news such as the Epstein files and wars which are started by men in which women (and children) are adversely affected. We live in a time where women’s rights are being eroded even more and misogyny is increasing. It feels like being a female means we’re in constant danger despite being the reason for the human race existing. We’re exploited in so many ways. I know it isn’t just men who are the perpetrators, but the vast majority of those doing the exploiting are men.

Do those of us who can strike and down tools collectively?

By downing tools I mean not working, not having sex, not looking after children (or perhaps we take the children with us), not producing, not buying anything. We just sit down and say no. I know on one level that it’s bonkers but I also feel like we need a real disruptive movement to challenge the status quo.

I've campaigned for women MPs. MSPs and councillors who haven't bothered to respond to me when I have needed help. I do understand that some people are more involved than others -but I spent ten years plus campaigning for candidates -both men and women

Why should people need to go out and litter pick? For nothing. What is litter picking going to do to improve someones lot? A woman who is being abused for example. Why should women or men have to volunteer unpaid. I've done it myself

I have more respect for people like me who tramped the streets year in year out trying to get people elected- I actually saw someone in my area. A councillor being promoted as a woman's champion on Facebook a few days ago -one that can't even be bothered to engage with people. Me included -and I campaigned for her more than once

Women shouldn't be praised for unpaid labour. They should be paid. That includes political campaigning my view

I'm not going to praise a woman MP just because they are women. They should be judged on the job they do

No. These things have always gone on. Best just be sensible with your own life.

The majority of people (male and female) are good people. Best just avoid the rest. 👍

Honestly this infuriates me. We are reaching a point where we are teaching our daughters that they should be afraid of men. This is madness. There are lots of bad people out there, men and women. Why don’t we just go one step further and safeguard women by permanently segregating men and women.
The idea that all men are inherently bad as the OP has suggested is such a dangerous rhetoric. Don’t me wrong, the idea of my daughters growing up and being potentially exposed to dangerous people is scary - but surely supporting them and helping them to live as safely as possible is the best option we have. Otherwise what is the point in life?
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Yes we should teach our daughters to be safe and reduce the risk but PRIMARILY society should be teaching men not to do scary things.

I appreciate that POV. I volunteer in the community so understand it can be a 'thankless task'. However, these are the things that 'oil the wheels' and make life more pleasant all round. So often I see the young people who were in my scout group around town and they stop me and thank me. Especially the girls. I hope I was a positive role model to them.

'Downing tools' and making demands is not the answer and does not attract respect. It just sounds like a tantrum and women are better than that.

I appreciate that your experience campaigning for your local MP wasn't a positive one but I really admire you for doing it and I am sure others in your community do, too. Thank you.

I think you are getting a very hard time on here. Unnecessarily. I grew up in a single parent family. If not for my gran -she wouldn't have been able to work.

No breakfast clubs when I was young. Women have it tough. Particularly single parents and apparently it's all brilliant and women have never had it so good. Cobblers.

If women are in supportive relationships and have partners who share the load. Brilliant. But that's not the case for everyone

Women are more likely to be sexually abused. Raped. Abused. Controlled.

I think I was fourteen when I started being aware of not being safe walking after dark -and decades later I feel no safer -not because I think all men are violent -but because you might cross paths with one that isn't

That's the reality of being female. Always worrying -just in case
Look at Sarah Everard for example -murdered by a police officer -she was a mile from home

I only ever see this view on MN. Not in real life.

I can get on board with not working or producing or buying anything as a protest to an extent. But how on earth is it beneficial to me, or any other woman, to stop having sex which is an enjoyable thing to do.

My local MP. MSP and several local councillors. Thank you. It's just very disheartening when you knock yourself out and when you need support. It's not there.

Only if it's good sex to be fair

And while you are standing naked, starving in the streets you will feel so virtuous.

Sorry but this is so silly. You don’t think MEN are dying in Wars? They're the ones being drafted and forced to fight and die. Stop being ridiculous.

Agreed. But to show willing I'll give up bad sex for the global sisterhood 😁

Most men don’t do scary things. 🙄

But ONS stats tell us that 98% of sexual assaults are committed by men.

That's irrelevant to those women who have suffered abuse

Why would I be naked?

Re. the 'wars and the Epstein files' comment in the OP.

I think it is highly likely that a lot of women are involved in decisions to go to war. We think of world leaders but there are people around them who assist in decision making, men and women.

Ghislaine Maxwell...

'Not looking after children.' No thanks. I love looking after my children (as does my DH).

I think there are two primary drivers of our patriarchal society.

The obvious one is strength; the majority of men can physically overpower the majority of women.

The second one is simple but subtle, and I think even more fundamental. This is that the vast majority mothers will put the needs of their children before their own. In any conflict of interest between a man and a woman that implicates the welfare of their joint children, is will almost always be the woman that capitulates. This also applies more widely to other caring responsibilities within the family and community. I don't know how much of this is down to socialisation, but IMO this is why women are screwed over by men time and time again. Men are inherently more selfish.

All very well over here but I doubt the women of Afghanistan would agree it's the best time to be a woman

Like the 4b movement in Korea?

But as the men who do do the scary things are completely indistinguishable just by looking from the men who don't then how are women meant to know?

we're just expected to take the chance

Inane nonsense.

Care to explain why?

OP is writing a post to open a discussion on a forum, not a effing thesis in sociology over 5000 pages, she can’t mention all the potential scenarios.

And the statistical truth is that most women bear a disproportionate share of childcare, etc, and are heterosexual.

It still does not warrant to call her “insulting”, that was way out of line.