has feminism passed "Essex" by?

[eyeofhorus]

any of you seen The only way is essex? frightening how a prime time itv show celebrates women as so overtly dressing up/ changing body image for men's pleasure AND the pub quiz which rejoiced in how dumb some of them were. Saddens me deeply that today's 'role models' for teenagers have bypassed the feminist movement....

'I dont see how you can put social mobility and thatcher in the same sentence.'

It is exactly for social mobility that Essex voted Thatcher. Essex people don't have blind faith in any politicians, they know that most of them are the same. But when they see a chance to move up, they take it. They always think above their station, despite the chatterati's condemnation.

Of course the Tories laughed at Essex and the working classes, but not to their faces, because they needed them. But who really had the last laugh, it was the people of Essex. The elites needed them and held the door ajar, now they can no longer close it. Essex can't be put back in its box, that's why Essex rocks.

I grew up in Essex, I live in t'north now. Every time I go back there I'm struck by how different it is. There is a lot of grooming in Essex and a lot of showing off about material things compared to here (where people are more likely to show off about how little something cost them than how much). But I don't see a lack of feminism among my old friends who are still there, including mates from school who were not particularly feminist when I knew them. There's a sort of quiet matriarchal thing going on in my bit of the north (think old ladies in Alan Bennett dramas) whereas among my Essex friends it's more perceived as bolshiness. 'Mouthy' is the word they would use I think. So there is no less standing-up-for-women but it comes across slightly differently.
Very interesting. Have never seen the tv programme you mention.

I' know we've moved off the subject a bit bu tjust to add that Mark's attitude to women is disgusting, as is Kirk's. They both clearly hate women.

E.g. Mark wants to open a glamour agency... but his sister shouldn't have fake boobs.

The way Kirks dad eyes women is sick.

And whats with the way that the women all blame each other forthe men's behaviour?!

Like Lauren saying Mark couldnt work with glamour models because theyre all 'slags' ermm no, their women doing a job and being objectified and exploited by your fiance. HE is the bad guy, not them! And the way the girl's turned on Lucy for going on a dtae with Kirk.. shouting her out of the pub calling her a slut and a bike...

And Arg claiming he needs to know where Lydia is all the time and getting angry when he doesnt, but she's not allowed to know where he goes or what he does. Eurghhhh they're all vile.

I haven't watched it. I may now have to start. I don't think they will be vile, they are just ordinary people.

It's not ordinary in my world to have/ voice such misogynistic views!

Interesting points about Essex style feminism Seth - I think the TV show demonstrates this too. The female characters are all pretty strong.

Im with berrieberrie on this, I have (sadly) watched a few episodes in utter disbelief and cannot see how anyone would describe it as pro women.

The things the guy gets away with, openly sleeping with 3 women knowing full well its on TV, and they all just put up with it.

Girls sleeping with a man they know is attached just for a bit of attention. Tragic.

All girls should be brought up to realise that bieng single is not a crime against humanity and that no one should tolerate that kind of bullshit.

To be honest, I think this could have been filmed anywhere in the UK- Belfast, Newcastle, Cardiff. The under 25's are no different in those places except the TV producers love old "Essex girl" cliche and know it will draw in the punters far more than "The Only way is Belfast". (I live in Essex but am from Northern Ireland and can assure you that there are a lot more fake tans, flash cars and fancy clothes in Northern Ireland than Essex, the "keep up with the Jones' mentality there is unbelievable, no wonder it is the debt capital of the UK.)

www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/news/ESSEX-ELECTION-RESULTS/article-2128286-detail/article.html

Basildon had a Labour MP, but the good people of Essex turfed them out at the earliest opportunity.
You are right, one Essex town let the side down and didn't vote Tory, but they have a Coalition member, so that is OK.

Lovely town, Colchester. I can understand why it was Tory through and through.

Out of interest claig, may I ask if you are male or female?

And if female, whether you agree on my point regarding future female PM's because of thatcher?

Female. No I don't agree with your comment about Thatcher. I think Thatcher changed the landscape and showed that women were equally as capable of running the country as men. There will be future female PMs, but we won't see th elike of Thatcher again for a long time. I didn't agree with everything that Thatcher did, but there is no doubt that she was exceptional.

Don't forget that Thatcher was very popular with the public for many years. It was only near the end with the poll tax that her popularity declined. And she was stabbed in teh back by her own party, otherwise she would probably have remained in power for a lot longer, since much of teh public still thought she was far better than the Spitting Image vegetables who did her down.

Well, I think Hollywood's total shit so it doesn't look like I'll be going to Essex anytime soon .

Ha Ha. I agree with you. I've been to the real Hollywood and it's not great. But as someone from Essex once said "if you're bored of Essex, you're bored of life".

I don't like Thatcher but you can't blame her if people use her as an excuse never to vote in another female PM Nullius

TheFarSide.....Im not saying its right to not vote one in, but there will be people who will use that as an argument.

I was even shocked to hear someone say, during Labour leadership contest, that Diane Abbott shouldnt win because no one would vote her in for bieng female.

That attitude is out there and public perception of thatcher is generally negative, the female bit wont help was my point.

Anyway, shall have to agree to disagree with you all regarding the witch :)

I once had to live in Pasadena for 4 months. That was enough for me. Good weather, compared to some states, nice apartment, but otherwise, you can keep it cuz I wouldn't want it for anything.

Like I said, I've neve been to Essex, but if it's anything like that place, I don't see myself going any time soon.

As far as Thatcher, I wouldn't know. I never experienced life under her and was only eligible to vote in the last election.

I will say this: I know laugh my ass off at any American who bitches about their government. ROTFLMFAO. After ten years here, those fuckers don't know they were born!

now, even.