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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Discussing feminism with women today

128 replies

ContentedLittleMummy · 30/07/2013 18:54

A post was opened about feminism on a forum I'm on. I'm a feminist, leaning more towards rad feminism but not buying into all their ideology. I don't believe men can be feminists, I think they can sympathise with the movement, as I can say against race rights, but they haven't truly experienced being a woman in a partiarchal society.

I got called names and a "man hater" and all sorts of horrible things, and I wondering if my beliefs are really out there and a bit insane?! I'm married to a man with two sons, and I don't "hate men" and I know that's a lazy thing to call a feminist but it's really got me down.

OP posts:
GrimmaTheNome · 30/07/2013 18:59

wondering if my beliefs are really out there and a bit insane?!

nah, its more likely that you ran into a bunch who enjoy being nasty to anyone who identifies as being a feminist. (BTW - your NN doesn't sound very rad fem, I was expecting this to be rather a different sort of post!Grin)

Original poster
ContentedLittleMummy · 30/07/2013 19:07

They said they were feminists and that it was all about "equality" and the fact I was refusing to make it about men meant I didn't want equality?! I asked if they'd read Caitlin Moran's definition of a feminist; then they went into a mob mode and said I was slating women for not being fluent in "feminist" literature. I feel bad that they got the wrong end of the stick, but also that they don't seem to know what they're talking about. What's an NN?

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GrimmaTheNome · 30/07/2013 19:13

NN == Nickname Smile

I've never read Caitlin's definition of feminism.... please do tell! Smile

I'm not fluent in feminist literature but I'm always happy to learn.

Original poster
ContentedLittleMummy · 30/07/2013 19:17

Oh, it's along the lines of "put your hands down your pants, if there's a vagina and you want to be in control of it then you're a feminist". This clearly outlaws men. Ah my NN is because my babies were whispers Gina Ford babies (her book is Contented Little Baby!)

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SconeRhymesWithGone · 30/07/2013 20:04

Wasn't Moran speaking to women when she said that?

I am a feminist (and a woman). Men can be feminists, too. I married one and I raised one. But they do have to understand that being a feminist does not erase their male privilege, and they must be willing to be educated and led by women in their feminism.

But I don't think you should be attacked for a different view. I know radical feminists who believe that men can only be allies, but not feminists (or at least not radical ones). I recognize that it is a valid point of view, even though I disagree with it.

ImNotBloody14 · 30/07/2013 20:14

Outlaws men? Men are illegal? Confused

Original poster
ContentedLittleMummy · 30/07/2013 20:14

I think that men can be "pro feminists" but not feminists mainly because they're not women and therefore can't understand the struggle from a womans' perspective. I read it online quoted, but can't say where it was originally from, but I know it was in one of her books too.

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kim147 · 30/07/2013 20:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
ContentedLittleMummy · 30/07/2013 20:17

It matters to me, because I don't need a man to fight my battle to be truthful. Can't anything just be womens'?

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ImNotBloody14 · 30/07/2013 20:21

Being a feminist isnt about experiencing the struggle women go through.

ImNotBloody14 · 30/07/2013 20:22

I think you seem a bit confused about the definition of a feminist tbh.

ImNotBloody14 · 30/07/2013 20:22

And what is this about outlawing men? Confused

Original poster
ContentedLittleMummy · 30/07/2013 20:24

Sorry for using the wrong terminology.

I'm confused? How so? I believe in removing the patriarchy and I don't believe in needing a mans' (generally speaking) help to do it. What do you think feminism is?

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ImNotBloody14 · 30/07/2013 20:30

Its not about needing a man's help - its about people wanting the same thing and lots of the people that want that are men.

Backonthefence · 30/07/2013 20:31

How are you going to remove the patriarchy without men?

kim147 · 30/07/2013 20:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
ContentedLittleMummy · 30/07/2013 20:33

Kim it's exactly that, they can empathise but haven't first handedly experienced.

Maybe I'm more rad fem than I thought.

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Original poster
ContentedLittleMummy · 30/07/2013 20:33

handed* sorry

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kim147 · 30/07/2013 20:38

This reply has been deleted

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kim147 · 30/07/2013 20:40

This reply has been deleted

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Original poster
ContentedLittleMummy · 30/07/2013 20:41

I think a woman (born a woman) wanting to get rid of the patriarchal system because it effects her makes her a feminist. I don't think men are targeted by the patriarchal system, unless I'm reading into it all wrong

OP posts:
kim147 · 30/07/2013 20:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kim147 · 30/07/2013 20:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
ContentedLittleMummy · 30/07/2013 20:47

A feminist is a woman who wants to remove the patriarchy and what it stands for. A feminist wants equality for women, to end exploitation and misogyny; a feminist is someone who can see through her eyes how women are treated differently, being that she's experienced it, and wants to get rid of that treatment/stigma

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AKissIsNotAContract · 30/07/2013 20:49

I think patriarchy does men a disservice too. I think men can be feminists.