Feminist analysis of the royal wedding

[DontdoitKatie]

This is one of the times when you realise how very lonely seeing things through a feminist lens can make you.

Patriarchy in all its glory.

Yes and Prince - can you imagine if people were going around saying "He caught a lovely wife!" or "He's got her exactly where he wants her" - that would be creepy in the extreme. And yet it's perfectly okay to say that about women, because oh silly us, we couldn't literally entrap a man, we aren't strong enough. (At least I assume that's why it's okay that way around but not the other)

Interesting point Lenin.

We don't live in real communities anymore. Particularly since the industrial revolution, and the separation of home and work. We move to the work rather than creating our own work, taking us even further from our communities.
Society requires the husband to care for the wife and children, as we don't live in extended families where the aunties can rally around etc. Basically no one else is going to look after mothers and children. Hence vilification of single mothers? Wouldn't matter if we lived in real communities.

I guess that's what the nuclear family is all about.

FWIW, I am quite enjoying having it on in the background. They do seem sweet together. I think their relationship is a lot more than just planning or convenience, they both come across as intelligent people. I think they would know better than that.

I agree with the poster above who said change is always going to be slow, but even slow change is better than no change.

I don't know if I find the whole thing an insult to women. I find much of it insulting to common sense (to quote Lenin "load of old patriarchal guff" is right) and also to religious people. I don't believe either of them really believed all the stuff being said by the clergy. You only had to see their facial expressions thinking "don't nod off, look interested!"

Also I find it hilarious how they keep referring to William and Harry as "the boys" - they're in their late 20s, FGS

Did anyone else clock the two nuns sitting next to the happy couple during the lectures various prayers and sermons? I felt a bit sorry for them sat in their grey habbits while all the male clergy got their fancy silks and bright colours. I doubt they cared though.

Are there any/many societies where non-monogomous relationships are the norm?
Polygamy is common, and polyandry is traditional in Tibet that I know of, but I can't think of any socieities I've heard of where serial monogamy, or non-monogamy is standard.

Leningrad, I only have the expectation that DD will marry and have children because that is what she has told me she wants, she's singleminded and knows exactly what she wants from her life, if she'd told me she was uninterested in marriage and children, that would have been perfectly fine too.

She has deliberately chosen a career path that is compatible with family life because she has always wanted children.
I don't have to imagine what her wedding will be like, if she has her way it will be at the Disneyworld wedding pavilion.

I have read this thread and completely agree with what many of you say in an intellectual level.

However I have been completely caught up in this madness. Despite being an atheist I though the beauty of the music, choir, trumpets, language etc of the ceremony hugely moving.

I suppose all the pomp is how they kept plebs like me in my place all these centuries.

However I do not want to be cynical (just one day) and wish them the best of luck. Dear god they will need it when vipers like the Harmsworth and Murdoch press decide that they need to bought down a peg or two

But, for today, I wish them the best as two people who have got married and hope they will be happy.

I guess that's what the nuclear family is all about.

No- the nuclear family pre-dates the industrial revolution by centuries, and if anything, the expectation of monogamy is greater in societies where the extended family is more important than in (e.g.) the UK.

StewieGriffinsMom Why is VB being in five inch heels depressing? I'm honestly not trying to be inflammatory, I just am interested to know.

God I sound like a simpering fool.

Blame the wine

Oh yes, monogamy pre-dates Industrial Revolution, but the nuclear family, the expectation that it's me and him against the world, would seem to be what keeps monogamy going in what is to all intents and purposes, a secular society.

dittany I suppose I find the idea that the majority of people (men and women) believe any of that old schtick insulting so it's not just insulting to women, but anyone (male/female) with an iota of common sense. So yes, insulting to women, but not just women if that makes a bit more sense.

" think we are moving towards a serial monogamy as a way of being, witness the divorce and re-marriage stats. Ironically with blended families we are almost going back to how I imagine it used to be - extended groups of people all interconnected through previous relationships and 'shared' children."

How far back are you thinking? I think you're looking at it in quite a rosy way if you think co-parenting existed in cave times. Imagine it was more a case of new man took over. Old man got ousted. Kids by old man got sidelined in favour of own offspring.

Actually I could have just said "feminists" rather than men/women with common sense as of course men can be feminists too. So yes, I would like more women to see through the guff and identify as feminists... but I'd like men to too.

I enjoyed Heinlein (sci-fi) novels as a teen, daren't re-read them now, but I liked how the characters just added new surnames on as they joined new families, not double-barreled, just extra names. I considered that but couldn't be arsed to do deed poll.

Nottheone, what are you basing that on?

All the pregnant guests seem to be in high heels. It's depressing because surely they are uncomfortable, it's also more risky during pregnancy as it puts strain on the hips (more uncomfortable and puts you at higher risk of SPD) and increased risk of falls and yet they are evidently feeling the social pressure to wear heels.