Is sexual orientation a choice?

[WidowWadman]

Julie Bindel seems to think so.

Is it just me or is that actually fairly offensive?

Well, I'm certainly glad that people are not generalising my opinions based on yours, because we are both women...

I have to say that it is statements such as "all men are sexist" is the kind of statement that does not do feminiism any favours. How are feminists supposed to be taken seriously when they come out with such a sweeping statement like this?

Chibi, I have no idea what the significance of you post is?

Eats, seriously... How patronising. It seems to me, these views patronise both men and women who don't assign to them. I feel lucky.

I see - we are defining sexism on a spectrum of sexism from a bit to a lot.
Is it the same for oppression - ranging from a bit to a lot of oppression?

Do you not see the difference between a sweeping statement as "all men are sexist" and then the clarification you made?

I am saying the truth.

Chibi :)

I have more than one male friend who isn't a sexist. My husband isn't a sexist. Sweeping generalisations like that really piss me off. Not only because they're unfair towards all the men who aren't sexists, but also because they're giving feminism a bad name.

Enim - But all men are sexist. That is a fact. But of course there are degress and variations with it. I don't think anyone would say all men are equally sexist.

WW - that is my belief. What do you want me to do - say that I only think some men are sexist when I don't believe that?

i guess i was just a bit floored that some people see men as belonging to a different species to women, like, i guess, chimpanzees, or maybe salamanders or something

it is a bizarre worldview and one that makes me feel

Chibi - I don't think men are a different species - of course not.

Well, it may be your belief. I think your belief is a) not based in reality and b) makes you a sexist, as it's judging people on their gonads rather than on their personality.

It doesn't matter much if you believe whether it's nature or nurture that makes them sexist, the argument that no man can be not a sexist is reducing them to their sex.

So how is it ok for women to be sexist, when it isn't for men?

eats
All white people are racist.
All straight people are homophobic
All middle class people are "classist"
All English people are xenophobic.

That's true isn't it?

Please go ahead and report report me for mentioning words that should not be heard on this board... Calling a spade a spade :)

Our values, beliefs, ways of acting don't occur in a vacuum. We are all socialised into certain beliefs and behaviour and our culture and institutions reinforce that way of acting.

So for example in our culture we think it is important to consider our individual needs and wants. In some cultures individuals needs are seen as unimportant and it is the need of the group that matters. That affects behaviour and how peopel relate to one another.

Eats, according to your last post, we are a product of our environment, hence you are too and your viewpoint is therefore subjective not objective and therefore not the universal truth, so please stop pedalling it as such.

I believe it to be the truth - you don't

What is truth?

(c) Pontius Pilate

Their is not truth yet regarding this issue a far as I'm aware, so please present your opinions as opinions not truths, ibthink hat would be extremely helpful all round.

Sorry for typos and grammar, on phone.

You have said you don't think all men are sexist. Is that just your opinion then? Or do you think it is true?

Eclectic - No need to apologise, I don't care about typos or grammar.

It's my opinion, as I said, we can't prove it either way.

Eclectic - No we can't prove it, so yes it is my opinion. But it is a deeply help opinion of mine