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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Hi, I am Hully's DS. Hully said I could ask you a question!

336 replies

Hullygully · 02/12/2011 18:20

For R.S i have been asked to think, and collect, 10 key points WHY women have suffered from sexism in the past. I can think of HOW, but I am interested in WHY. I would be really interseted and grateful in any thoughts you may have! Thanks!

OP posts:
motherinferior · 02/12/2011 18:22

Because it is in men's interests to have a nice life where their meals are cooked and their babies are raised and they don't have to do any housework. I'd quite like that myself, really.

Yama · 02/12/2011 18:23

A very interesting question HullyJr.

The number one reason would be for the perceived benefit of men.

scurryfunge · 02/12/2011 18:23

Because the most powerful group likes to maintain its power.

Mum1369 · 02/12/2011 18:24

Ok I'll give you the easy one...politically women were not allowed to vote. Therefore from a legal perspective they were seen as having less rights.

Original poster
Hullygully · 02/12/2011 18:25

Thank you Mum1369!

Hully said the power of the church. Do you agree?

OP posts:
MillieMummy · 02/12/2011 18:25

Religion.

Doesn't matter which one, they are all negative towards women.

ThatsNotMyBabyBelly · 02/12/2011 18:26

Because they were seen as a chattel in the past to be bargained with, hence "giving the woman away" when married

That being, a possession to be given from one man to another.

Figgydragon · 02/12/2011 18:27

Men are physically stronger than women. They can physically restrain and force women with less exertion than another male. One why is

Because I can

Which is the worst one of all.

Women trust men everyday, which is pretty damn cool.

motherinferior · 02/12/2011 18:27

THat isn't an answer, though, Mum1969. It is a manifestation of sexism, not a reason for it. Women didn't have the vote as the result of sexism. They had less power legally in every way, not simply in relation to voting (including rights to their children if their husbands divorced them).

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 02/12/2011 18:27

Hello HullyJr. How clever of you r mum to think to use mumsnet for your homework. I wish the kids I teach would do that instead of copying and pasting from Wikipedia!

Um, because women were traditionally perceived as being physically weaker? Because babies come from women, need women in their first few months and therefore, historically, women weren't available to work outside the home?

Yama · 02/12/2011 18:28

The power of the church may have facilitated it and maintained it through more enlightened times. But no, women have suffered sexism everywhere, so where the church has no power too.

Original poster
Hullygully · 02/12/2011 18:29

I am confused about the difference between HOW and WHY. Hully is rubbish at helping me.

OP posts:
headfairy · 02/12/2011 18:30

It's because Eve tempted Adam with the apple and caused them to be cast from the Garden of Eden.... certainly every Christian religion has used this as a way of repressing women. Can't speak for other religions, but Christianity has done a fabulous job of casting women as evil over the past couple of millennia. Eve started original sin, all people are now tainted with that original sin. Pretty unfair because I don't even like apples :o

Original poster
Hullygully · 02/12/2011 18:30

It was my idea! All mine.

Don't tell other kids.

OP posts:
Tianc · 02/12/2011 18:31

Yes, I think the person who set the question is confused between HOW and WHY as well.

Because the answer is always, to maintain the power of the powerful group.

forkful · 02/12/2011 18:32

male privilege

Original poster
Hullygully · 02/12/2011 18:33

It was my headteacher. Ill tell her!

OP posts:
ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 02/12/2011 18:33

Because some women allow them to ?

ISawPINOTSnoggingSantaClaus · 02/12/2011 18:33

I have no ideas for you but just wondered if you'd like to tell us any embarrassing stories about your Mum? Xmas Wink Xmas Grin

Original poster
Hullygully · 02/12/2011 18:35

i would love to, but shes looking over my shoulder and i dont think i'd survive past word one.

OP posts:
Cinquefoil · 02/12/2011 18:35

Because women can give birth to a whole new person. And millions of years ago no one understood how that happened. So they were in awe, and recognised the power and potential, and were jealous, and thought they'd better try to control it.

Figgydragon · 02/12/2011 18:35

Pinot .... For shame!!!!!! >

forkful · 02/12/2011 18:35

gosh don't tell your headteacher your mum is on mumsnet Shock

forkful · 02/12/2011 18:36

oh sorry you'll tell your headteacher that the Q was dumb! not that your mum is a MNer!!

crazycrackernanna · 02/12/2011 18:37

hello Hully's laddo Xmas Smile

I think 'why' is simply because the power men feel they need to govern in most things...and it does go right back in history.

The old saying "This is a man's world" could really have been written 2000 years ago.

I think the 'why' is power based.