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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Robert Webb - How to be a Boy

39 replies

Ohthegrandolddukeofyorkjellies · 06/09/2017 23:39

Robert Webb has written his memoirs - 'How to be a Boy'. In this clip he gives an overview during which states that he thinks gender is made up. Makes me want to stand up and cheer that he says it so matter of factly. I haven't read all of the 'No more boys and girls' thread so apologies if this has already been mentioned there.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=6ujt4We82Jk

OP posts:
Xenophile · 06/09/2017 23:55

It is great, isn't it?

Shame it's taken a man saying it for people to agree though.

Ineedacupofteadesperately · 06/09/2017 23:55

Yes, I heard him interviewed on women's hour - was very impressed. Very interesting what he had to say about gender stereotypes ( about how they are a bad thing for both girls and boys). Am interested to read his book now.

Original poster
Ohthegrandolddukeofyorkjellies · 07/09/2017 00:00

L

OP posts:
bitemytoenails · 07/09/2017 00:01

what is he saying then?

Original poster
Ohthegrandolddukeofyorkjellies · 07/09/2017 00:03

Sorry - my phone went a bit strange! It's also being serialised on radio 4. As a teacher, trying to negotiate the trans narrative, I'm not quite sure how it will go down if I play the clip in one of my lessons as I intend to. It will only take one bright spark to ask how people can be transgender if there's no such thing as gender.

OP posts:
NYConcreteJungle · 07/09/2017 00:03

It's a shame he and the man on the BBC program No more girls and boys will be heard before women.

Original poster
Ohthegrandolddukeofyorkjellies · 07/09/2017 00:04

I took it to mean that he was saying that he recognises that the harm that is caused by toxic masculinity.

OP posts:
crumbsinthecutlerydrawer · 07/09/2017 00:05

I've been watching his promotional interviews and the web chat he did on here and have been very impressed with him. I'd always written him off as a bit of a buffoon, unfairly and probably due to his character in Peep Show.

I don't normally read celeb autobiographies but as there seems to be a bit of substance to this one I have ordered it and am looking forward to reading it.

Original poster
Ohthegrandolddukeofyorkjellies · 07/09/2017 00:07

I agree that it is a shame that he is saying something that women have been saying again and again but I do also think that men need to own their shit and at least he is doing that.

OP posts:
hotsouple · 07/09/2017 00:09

YASS JEZZZ

Terfing · 07/09/2017 00:19

Is he a TERF

Original poster
Ohthegrandolddukeofyorkjellies · 07/09/2017 06:24

I think he might just be...

OP posts:
Collidascope · 07/09/2017 06:45

I just bought this for my boyfriend who goes through feminism books like hot cakes.
I think I heard Webb say that the reason he hasn't called it a feminist book is because he actually wants people to read it. Good that he's aware of the backlash.

SummerflowerXx · 07/09/2017 06:48

How depressing it needs to be said by a man and not called feminist.
But maybe if one man says it, more will, and then people will listen.

VanillaSugar · 07/09/2017 06:52

Oh good - I just assumed he was another bland celeb with an even blander autobiography. I'm pleased he has something solid to say.

Collidascope · 07/09/2017 06:58

This is further proof, I reckon, that Mitchell and Webb 'get it'.

Original poster
Ohthegrandolddukeofyorkjellies · 07/09/2017 07:10

That's brilliant!

OP posts:
Elendon · 07/09/2017 07:39

That's one Xmas present sorted for my son. I know he will enjoy reading it.

Datun · 07/09/2017 07:59

Ohthegrandolddukeofyorkjellies

How old are your pupils?

The explanation would be, that although gender is socially constructed, it is very real. And people, like Webb, felt the negative effects of it.

Fortunately, judging by both clips, they recognise that it is bad for men as it is for women. Transgender people want to be the opposite sex, precisely because these roles are so rigourously enforced.

Your pupils should be able to understand this. Your problem will arise, if they decide that gender is actually an internal essence that has nothing to do with roles.

But you could force yourself to remain completely neutral and say let's discuss that then. I.e. What's more likely?

Well done to you for tackling this, though.

Or maybe the best thing is to just shrug and say well I don't know about that part. And carry on with the lesson about gender stereotyping. Which is undeniable and verifiable. Let them connect the dots on their own.

Datun · 07/09/2017 08:00

Perhaps we can have Webb on for a web chat MNHQ?

To discuss his autobiography.

DamsonGin · 07/09/2017 08:24

He did the MN live Q&A on facebook the other day but I imagine he'd be a great MNer.

Datun · 07/09/2017 08:25

DamsonGin

Oh, I missed that. Although, to be fair, I didn't know he was a feminist until now.

Alittlepotofrosie · 07/09/2017 08:29

Does it matter who is saying it as long as the message is being heard?

msrisotto · 07/09/2017 08:31

I used a clip of him discussing this on bbc, when educating a young male client about toxic masculinity. Yes it's something women have been aware of and taking about for ages, but young men want to hear from other men and so it was really helpful to be able to show another male's perspective.

deydododatdodontdeydo · 07/09/2017 08:40

Does it matter who is saying it as long as the message is being heard?

Well, it would be better if women were just listened to more in the first place, but often people on here state things like "men need to speak up more, men need to start saying these things, men need to call other men out more", and when they do, the same voices say "why does it take a man to say this?, why are people listening to him just because he's a man", etc.