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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Women's fiction WH Smiths hmmm?

91 replies

planetpotty · 09/09/2011 20:54

Heard an article on radio 4 yesterday stating WH Smiths had been written to and asked to remove the shop sign (the ones that stick out from the shelves showing different sections) showing "women's fiction" as it was highly offensive to women to pigeon hole them with the fluffy kind of titles found there. WH Smiths agreed to remove the signs!
I understand the argument but personally think

think this is going too far and also am a bit peeved I will now have to ask the shop assistant for the books that men probably wouldn't read??!!
Interested to see what others here think and if I've totally missed the point.

OP posts:

azazello · 09/09/2011 20:59

Why can't you just look at the titles and see what looks interesting? The Shopoholic series for eg are pretty obviously aimed at women or you could look for an author you like. It doesn't necessarily have to be signposted.

Personally I absolutely cannot stand women's fiction. The only time I tried to read a shopoholic type book I was ready to gnaw my own arm off by page 20 so I didn't have to hold it anymore, so for me, a sign saying 'Books' or 'Fiction' will do nicely.

samandi · 09/09/2011 21:00

I think it's fair enough. It's silly having "women's fiction". Do they have "men's fiction"? Are women not allowed to read "men's fiction" and vice versa?

"I will now have to ask the shop assistant for the books that men probably wouldn't read??!!"

Oh well, I'm sure you'll live.

bran · 09/09/2011 21:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

planetpotty · 09/09/2011 21:07

Ha ha calm down!! The bit in my post re the searching was lighthearted I'm not actually bothered by having to look my point was I wondered wether others were actually offended by these signs? The point about there not being a sign for mens fiction is true though so that makes me think.

OP posts:

Original poster

planetpotty · 09/09/2011 21:11

Bran this is what I thought really the signs don't make you but the books they just separate them out. There is nothing stopping me picking up bravo two zero but I'm more partial to something more errrr aimed at women?!

OP posts:

samandi · 09/09/2011 21:15

"the thing with "men's fiction" is that it's divided up into more descriptive sections like sci-fi, fantasy, war, crime"

Since when were these things "men's fiction"?

I think describing things as "romantic fiction" and "fantasy fiction" is far more informative than "women's fiction" and "men's fiction".

And yes, I am offended by those kinds of signs. Not enough to complain but it can be confusing and irritating.

samandi · 09/09/2011 21:16

And personally i'm far more partial to fantasy and sci-fi than romantic fiction.

Original poster

planetpotty · 09/09/2011 21:21

Obviously no book is exclusively for men or women but just like any product they are made (written) with a specific target audience in mind the signs IMO just divided them up to save shoppers time not to oppress women or put them off buying a bravo two zero.

OP posts:

samandi · 09/09/2011 21:26

"IMO just divided them up to save shoppers time"

How on earth is it saving time? Don't people generally know what kind of area they are interested in? It's utterly retarded to not be able to understand "fantasy fiction" or "romantic fiction" - I'm surprised these people can even read.

Besides which, I tend to think of book shopping as a leisurely and enjoyable activity ... I'm quite happy to browse and explore all categories, and I think many others think along the same lines.

sneakybeak · 09/09/2011 21:29

just use the library :)

You won't be offered crap out of date chocolate, and won't have to pay a penny, or be offended.

win, win!

TrillianAstra · 09/09/2011 21:31

sci-fi, fantasy, war, crime

These things are not men's fiction. They are just types of fiction.

Original poster

planetpotty · 09/09/2011 21:35

Well on earth.... It pointed people to the women's fiction and surprised they can actually read? your just spoiling for a fight - people can read whatever they like. I'm not an idiot just busy! For me the signs were not offensive and I've never met one of my friends for coffee and the first topic of conversation been "you will never guess what I've just seen in smiths! I'm soooo offended!"

OP posts:

Original poster

planetpotty · 09/09/2011 21:38

The point of my OP was more about the fact this has been done in my name as a woman more than the fact the sign has disappeared and now my brain can't compute what to read ffs

Ha ha the library I'll check next time I'm I if there is a women's fiction sect .... There might be?

OP posts:

samandi · 09/09/2011 21:42

"I'm not an idiot just busy!"

So you wouldn't explore any of the other categories because all you're interested in is romantic fiction ... but it ESCAPES YOU that other women may be equally busy (not me - I've just admitted, quite willingly :-) that I love browsing bookshops when I have the time) but aren't interested in the same kind of fiction as you and might prefer more INFORMATIVE signs ? You don't speak for all womankind.

samandi · 09/09/2011 21:43

"more about the fact this has been done in my name as a woman"

and yet you have no problem with having 'women's fiction' signs? face palm or are you being ironic? i'm tired and may have missed some subtle online tone :-)

DontCallMeFrothyDragon · 09/09/2011 21:46

But what's wrong with sci fi??? (Or any other of the men's categories you list)

Last time I checked, I'm a woman. And I prefer sci-fi to "women's fiction". I also know men who prefer "women's fiction" to sci fi... Why pigeonhole fiction into gendered categories anyway? I don't get it...

Original poster

planetpotty · 09/09/2011 21:50

Of course i dint! seriously? Why are you so prickly??!! But that's kind of my actual point really this one woman who wrote to smiths does not talk for all womankind either so I was surprised smiths jumped to it so quickly and this is what the radio programme was actually exploring. Thought it would be interesting to see how others on mn felt that's all obviously you are 100% right and I'm the only one not hopping mad at smiths choice of signage off to bed to read "that's not my handbag"

OP posts:

TrillianAstra · 09/09/2011 21:57

"Women's fiction" is not descriptive.

Tell us what is in the books, not who you think it should be for. I'll make up my own mind if it is for me.

FootprintsOnTheMoon · 09/09/2011 22:01

Women's fiction is a synonym for light romantic fiction with a feel good ending.

maybe they're saving on printer ink?

DontCallMeFrothyDragon · 09/09/2011 22:06

I just dislike having my reading list defined by my gender... Very few books fall entirely into one category anyway.

Original poster

planetpotty · 09/09/2011 22:06

Exactly footprints that's what you have summed up much better than I've been trying to ... Thanks

OP posts:

BendyBob · 09/09/2011 22:08

I heard the article on R4 too. I agreed with the complaint and do find it quite patronising. But then again maybe it's a good thing to herd together all the chick lit then I can avoid it. I really hate the few I've ever read.

DontCallMeFrothyDragon · 09/09/2011 22:13

Exactly... Why is women's fiction predominantly simplistic reading? And if you step outside the section, you never know what gems you'll find... Neil Gaiman isn't listed under women's fiction...

bran · 09/09/2011 22:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TrillianAstra · 09/09/2011 22:17

I for one would like to live in a world where it is acceptable for people of anygender to enjoy light romantic fiction.

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