Little or big feministy things you can do to help

[BriarRainbowshimmer]

I got the idea on the thread where people said they felt sad and overwhelmed by all the sexism everywhere, I feel the same. But surely there are things we all can do.

So let's brainstorm!
I'll start
#1. Donate to Women's Aid

Totally agree elephants, was coming onto say the same thing.

Why is work outside the home necessary to be a good feminist role model?

It makes me so incredibly angry when people say that. It's just a basic misunderstanding of feminism!!

I like that one, Yonicscrewdriver (and look, a DIY nickname!)

TeacupDrama I saw a woman handle that with verve and aplomb, must have been last Christmas party season:

Random Sexist: "Is [DH] babysitting then?"

Her: (looking utterly bemused) "No of course not. He's at home with [DC]."

RS: "Yes, sorry, that's what I meant."

Her: "OH I SEE. When you said babysitting of course I assumed you meant babysitting someone else's child, not parenting his own."

One of mine is making a point of not telling a sahd friend how amazing he is for looking after his child while his wife wohm. You'd be amazed (no you wouldnt) how many people gush at him for it.

My pet hate is when people refer to 'lady doctors'. Even my DM does this which is bonkers as she was a Granta reading feminist when I was growing up. By putting that prefix in front of the word doctor (or any other profession) the implication that 'doctor' (without the prefix) is automatically male.

Asked DS1 if he wanted to watch England v Wales (football) on the TV. Didn't comment that it was a women's game and he didn't really "notice".

That winds me up too flamingo. Also "male nurse".

There are a whole host of other job assumptions to be avoided such as firemen v firefighters. Also terms such as "manpower", "manned".

My father (sadly not a Granta reading feminist) still refers to manageresses and authoresses.

And the one which really gets my goat is when someone says "the girl on the checkout/reception/whatever", as if the checkout were being staffed by female children (never boys!)

Our usual doctor is a woman, so kids have never known any different. Then if we need to see her colleague i tell them that we need to see the man doctor

OK, but what do you do about 'postman'? Can't think of a good gender neutral one.

Also, am always confused about the whole 'don't call me an actress' thing. I regard myself as as feminist as they come, but have never seen the problem with men being actors and women actresses. Given that it is one of the v.v. few professions where females are actually NEEDED (and generally in equal numbers as men - let's not get on to the fact that they aren't needed after 40….) I always struggle to see what actresses are so upset about. Clearly I am missing something and am v. happy to be corrected - just genuinely don't understand what the issue is.

And yes, Mardy, it's as if the word 'woman' is somehow pejorative (hugely alarming, clearly) and so 'girl' sounds somehow 'nicer' (i.e cuter/less threatening). DH tends to shy away from using the word woman - drives me mad.

Postal worker is fine.

"* Don't hover over your small daughters saying "be careful" if they are doing something like climbing"

Why not? I would do the same with a boy. They do they need to be careful when climbing.

"postie"?

Never criticise what another woman wears, be it nipple tassles and a sparkly thong, or full niqab. She has chosen to dress like that. Respect that choice.

"And yes, Mardy, it's as if the word 'woman' is somehow pejorative (hugely alarming, clearly) and so 'girl' sounds somehow 'nicer' (i.e cuter/less threatening)."

Of course, it's never used for a higher status job - e.g. the girl who's a company director, or a girl who's a high court judge.

They are all know as Postie in NZ

I get a bit bloody minded and always refer to the Men's sport pages or the men's sport during the news.

"Never criticise what another woman wears, be it nipple tassles and a sparkly thong, or full niqab"

It's a whole other thread but there is an argument that the niqab is a garment imposed on some women by a male-dominated religion.

I'm with you on the sentiment of your post though.

Which similarities would you like to celebrate?

Without a doubt mardybra, but to automatically assume that a woman is a victim or coerced into her choice of clothing is to assume her incapable of making her own reasoned choices over what to wear.

(in the small amount I've read on the subject, it appears to me that most women who wear the niqab in Britain are doing it of their own volition, as a political or religious choice).

Speak up more in general and not be afraid to have your voice heard.

Campaign by tweeting/writing/emailing companies when we are unhappy about their portrayal of women/men, boys/girls in their advertising or marketing.

Get behind organisations such as Let Toys be Toys and No More Page 3.

Go to the Feminism in London conference 24th and 25th October 2015. It's a great way to get inspired and meet like minded feminists.

Like I say I think it's a whole other thread. I'm not totally convinced on the issue, but I see where you're coming from.

Liking postie. Problem solved!

Liking the let toys be toys. My DM hasn't really seen what I mean about the pink toy onslaught. However she recently went to the Museum of childhood and came back enthusing about all the different colours toys used to be

Vote. Take your children with you when you vote. Explain who you are voting for and why.