TheShriekingHarpy et al.....Whats In It For You?

[frikonastick]

Can I just say very quickly, this isn?t a call out for an argument, I am genuinely asking a question of some of the posters here in the feminist section, and I promise my tone is not aggressive or sarcastic.

Ok, so what I am asking is, given this is a subsection of mumsnet for feminist issues/discussion etc, and given you don?t ascribe to being feminists or identifying with them, why do you post in here? I really am asking whats in it for you? I really don?t understand why any woman would feel the need to come onto the feminist section to be anything other than supportive to the feminist principles. After all, feminism as a movement can only BENEFIT women. Why wouldn?t that be something you are for?

Thanks in advance if y?all take the time to respond.

oh jeeze, sorry i dont know why this has come up twice. does anyone know how i can disappear the duplicate? thanks

frik - report the other post and ask MN to delete it.

oh yes, oh course...........thanks tabouleh. done.

Frikonastick - good question and one I have been pondering too...

Ha! What an amusing thread! There is not one feminism and to decide that somebody is anti-feminist because they don't subscribe to one particular dogma is definately anti-feminist.

By the way, naming somebody is a call for an argument.

earwicga

1. there is in fact 'one' feminsim. much the same way there is 'one' conservative party or 'one' liberal. there may very well be parts of feminism that you do not agree with, that would not preclude you from calling yourself a feminist.

1. I did not say or in fact decide that TSH or others were anti feminist, or not a feminist, TSH and others have themselves said they are not feminists.

1. and no, it isnt. i specifically said so in my OP.

1. i would appreciate it if you didnt turn this into a fight. i asked a civil question and i was pretty much hoping for civil responses.

frikonastick - there really isn't one feminism.

Well clearly we wouldn't all nod along with each other, would we, because we don't all subscribe to the same views despite all self-identifying as feminists. We could, and do, have long arguments entirely populated by feminists.

EHBW, im just trying to understand why, if you arent a feminist, you would want to post in the feminist section. and, even if you arent a feminist, why would you object to a group that wants to better the lives of women. i really dont understand it.

like, if there was a section on here about racism, i wouldnt post on it as racism doesnt affect me. but if i DID post on it, it would only be in support. as i cant see any downside to eradicating racism.

dyswim?

so i really am asking the posters who are most vociferous on here as (self proclaimed) non feminists, whats in it for them?

i am aware i might not be articulating my question well, im just hoping someone can help me understand.

um, not you, as in you personally.

'like, if there was a section on here about racism, i wouldnt post on it as racism doesnt affect me.'

But I think racism does affect us all. In a basic way, living in an unequal society isn't a benefit to anybody.

yes, you are right, what i meant was that racism doesnt affect me as directly as sexism does.

and no, i suppose no one has said 'feminism is shit and should be stopped' but i didnt think/say that anyone had.

but (and its a big but) some of the posters have been very strong on refuting the need for feminism at all, that wome have in fact achieved equality etc etc (sorry i dont want to cut and paste quotes because that would be weird and stalkery!) and i really dont see whats in it for a woman to do so.

how does denying rape statistics (for eg) benefit them? on a personal level. do you see?

earwicga,
she's not saying racism doesn't affect us all.
She's saying she wouldn't join a group of people who were concerned about racism and try to counteract their opinions all the time because it would obviously not be of any benefit in tackling racism.
Adding counter opinions is good, as is all free speech, but the OP is just curious about the motivation behind the self-proclaimed anti-feminists.

and earwicga, yes, of course, but my point was about choosing to enter the racism forum (if in fact there was one) and then posting usupportive things). i dont see the benefit of that. and i dont see the benefit of women doing the same in the feminist section.

thank you sakura, i am not very fluent today

As far as I can see, feminism is a broad church, encompassing a wide range of views. Frik, you compare it to the Conservative party.

Well all political parties are renowned for their internal dissent. And all have to be open to external criticism.

If you just want the warm fuzzy feeling of agreement from the sisterhood, don't post on a public forum where people have the freedom to disagree.

Don't you feel able to defend your views in a discussion?

Why are non-feminist and anti-feminist being used interchangably?

You can describe yourself as not being part of a group without being anti it surely? I'm not vegetarian, but I'm not anti it.

I used to describe myself as feminist, but since reading the MN feminism section I've almost felt like distancing myself. It's as if there is Feminism and feminism. One as a set of guidelines to live by (and god forbid you step out of line) and the other as just wanting fair and equal treatment for both sexes. I feel like the former is the one advocated on here, and is why I have lurked rather than posted. And reading about people who have differing views not being wanted on this board hasn't exactly changed my thoughts.

Tempestes - great points!

Feminism is a broad church and disagreement within it can only strenghtens the movement. Aspects which can't be argued properly are sidelined. The MSM is a particular enemy to feminism, as it highlights extreme views and neglects to highlight anything that is well argued which all right thinking individuals cannot disagree with.

I don't think Frikonastick is saying they aren't wanted, or indeed that she can't defend her views, I think what she is asking is what these people get out of it..... go back and read the OP it is quite clear what she is asking.

Yes, we like a variety of opinions on MN

IF you think this is heated you should break yourself in with AIBU