Why does MN allow such sexist language?

[wordfactory]

I've just read the Cherie Blair thread and I'm shocked at some of the sexist language.

Ugly pig. Sanctimonious bitch. Evil cow.

Why is this ok?

Why can we not use the 'n' word here on MN, but posters can use outright sexist langauage? And why do posters ignore it, just because it supports their case?

Because even here women still have a lower status than men. Sexism doesn't really matter. You see the same dynamic in terms of how MNHQ think of transphobia. Very sad on a site aimed at woman. But then mumsnet is not an island. MNHQ and the site itself reflects the wider misogyny of society

I can't find it. Can you post a link please?

Because hate speech against women isn't illegal whereas other forms of hate speech are?

get real, they talk about blokes on here in as equal and horrible terms too.

i agree, i have no real opinion either way of CB but i found the thread unnecessarily harsh.

also i could kind of see what she was getting at, just in a clunky cack handed kind of way.

No, they don't imsotired.

Wordfactory, it's because it's "OK to hate women". No-one admits to doing it, but once you look around, you see so many people doing it. Which is really quite depressing...

I'm just gobsmacked at the vitriol. But also how the vitriol seems so couched in sexism.

By all means say CB doesn't know what she's talking about. Or explain where you think she's wrong. But attacking her as a woman is all wrong to me.

and you dont hear men getting slagged off for being men?

sexist pig
ugly bastard
wankstain

are all common everyday comments aimed at men (though thankfully not in my RL)

Because women are fair game. Somebody always challenges harsh language towards men.

imsotired - where are these terms used commonly in MN. Sounds like the false accusations F.4J made about this site.

And frothy dragon is right - woman hating is so depressingly common, including from other women.

come on! do an advanced search... wankstain has been used in 34 posts since the first of January.

How people relate to each other in degratory terms is a problem for us all.
however saying its a feminist issue and posting it here isnt very useful at all.

I've never noticed anyone challenging the use of "Leave the bastard!" on MN due to its harsh language aimed at men.

Very good point wordfactory but it is the same in RL too unfortunately. I am always surprised at how many women seem to hate women more than sexist men hate women.

My mum for example can't refer to any female politician without saying she is an absolute cow, or a real hag. And don't get her started on Cherie Blair.

It's shocking to think she raised three daughters all the while thinking so poorly of women in any kind of public position.

And she is a long way from being the only woman hating woman that I know. It is really sad :(

That's because "leave th bastard" has become a sort of ironic catch phrase used when somebody complains about their OP buyingbthe wrong brand of beans when th do the shopping. This is because so many people complained about its previous occasional use with serious intent!

I was a bit shocked at the vitriol towards Cherie Blair on that thread as well.

*I'msotired8 how we relate to each other is a matter for all of us.

But sexist language is different. For me it is in the smae category as rascist language or homophobic langauge.

Some words are used in relationship threads where a particular man's behaviour is appallingly objectionable. Not really a fair comparison. I do not see men when being discussed here being treated as harshly as woman - especially when we talk about men and woman in the public eye

'Twat' seems to be a common word no matter how large or small the man's perceived transgression.

'Cunt' seems to be fairly common as well,

Those words are also used about toxic mothers, evil MILs and annoying people in checkout queues, though, to be fair.

It seems to me to be acceptable on Mumsnet to be rude about anyone, men or women.

I very much doubt anyone speaks to people in real-life the way they do on the Internet. You don't hear it very often.

I think it's anonymous keyboard-warrior syndrome.

Actually, I reckon the most abused group on mumsnet is women over 60.

Agree seeker

Are you over 60 Seeker?

Why? Do you think I would only object to casual ageism if I was?

Seeker is 702 and loves grammar schools. Everyone knows that.

Haven't seen Cherie Blair thread but I odn't understand why any of that stuff is necessary/relevant. If you don't agree with some of her actions etc, why does personal abuse come into it ?