Does anyone feel the need to reclaim femnism.....?

[BertrandRussell]

So many important issues just seem to be falling by the wayside. When did we last have any sort of discussion about reproductive rights in US? The Million Woman March-remember that? Weinstein and the follow up? FGM? The abortion debate in Ireland?

Being a woman is a biological reality. Colluding with, enabling and excusing misogynistic behaviour is not gender specific it is done by women and men. Coining a gendered insult for use against women doing the same as men is misogynistic.

Dione, that word misogyny does not mean what you think it means.

The dictionary definition of misogyny is dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women

My personal view is "handmaiden" gets used too often and is insulting. It is as useful as transphobe.

Way back on this thread someone said (I am paraphrasing) that a woman who thinks all housework etc is her responsibility to facilitate her husband's career can be described as a handmaiden. Whilst I do not use the term I disagree such a woman is a handmaiden. She is making a lifestyle choice which is not for me but unless this woman is in a position of power where she can influence social policy I think it has little impact on anyone other than herself. She might seek to influence her daughters but I would credit them with minds of their own.

On the other hand the Miley Cyruses and Nikci Minajs of this world seem to me to fit the definition perfectly. Rich, successful and powerful women choosing to collude with the objection of women's bodies to audiences of billions. And even if one were to buy the (weak) excuse that they had to go along with this to establish their careers (which I don't) they are both in a position to call the shots now. I still won't call them "handmaidens".

So I don't find it a useful term since "colluding with the patriarchy" means different things to different people.

Where will matters go? I think Scotland will race on with self-ID for gender status because (a) Westminster has put it on hold and the Scottish government will seize any chance to show how much more forward thinking and inclusive Holyrood is and (b) the Republic of Ireland already has this. (The SNP love comparing Scotland with ROI as a successful, small , independent state in the EU, except of course when the Irish tiger economy keels over)

The million women march seems a bit of a damp squib.

Men might finally get and understand the message that accessing porn on your workplace computer is wrong. Well obviously accessing it anywhere is wrong but how stupid to you have to be to use your employer's equipment.

It is good to me to see sometimes how very differently we hear things.
It never really gets sorted but we can understand the misunderstandings a bit better.

Being a woman is a biological reality. Colluding with, enabling and excusing misogynistic behaviour is not gender specific it is done by women and men. Coining a gendered insult for use against women doing the same as men is misogynistic.

Yes, I see you naturally are that obtuse. Don't worry, I call men out for their misogyny all the time! I just call them different names because it's in a different context.

thebewilderness, I know what misogyny means.

To coin or use a gendered insult against women for behaviour that is not gendered is a display of contempt for women. The use of "slut" for example. And the use of Handmaiden.

Of course calling another woman a handmaiden can be misogynistic if all it is intended is to be a put down.

Even when behaviour could legitimately be described as such, such as the example RebelRogue gave

One example that springs to mind that always came up on a different forum is "she's 14/15 she knows what she's doing" coupled with examples of "awful" sexual behaviour of such 14/15 yos when discussing a man having sex with a child.

do you think it makes anyone think again and reassess their attitude?

Ereshkigal Dione is not obtuse but you are rude.

She was obtuse. But actually now I think she's just being goady. It's not the first time. Anyway, I don't require approval from either of you to express myself the way I choose. Don't expect me to applaud when women throw me and other women under the bus for males.

Concern trolling and tone policing rarely goes down well.

I don't need your approval or permission to post. Your last post is simply trying to tell me to shut up. How hypocritical.

No, I'm responding to your attack on me. And my last post was general.

Post what you want, obviously. And so will I. And sometimes I will respond if it concerns me, as will you. Glad we've got that sorted.

Ereshkigal

No, I'm responding to your attack on me. And my last post was general

And I responded to your attacks on Dione.

From somebody raised in the 80's and 90's. I was brought up to believe I could do what ever I want if I worked for it, don't matter if I'm a girl/woman. I genuinely believed it. To be fair the gender pay gap does not affect the working/middle class that's why majority of people can't relate and find feminism petty. But this transgenderism is a whole new ball game!

And I responded to your attacks on Dione.

Which I stand by. Because I don't think she posts on these threads in good faith.

I think it's the height of goady fuckery to claim that calling women who shit on other women to please men handmaidens is akin to calling women sluts.

Liking sex with the partners that you choose is not gendered behaviour. Slut is a gendered insult used to display contempt for women who behave this way. Colluding, excusing and enabling misogyny is not gendered behaviour. Handmaiden is a gendered insult used to display contempt for women who behave this way.

What is the difference Ereshkigal?

I don't understand why you assume contempt to be the intent behind describing a woman as a handmaiden.
I have no idea why you suddenly changed the subject to the deplorable slur "slut".

Which I stand by. Because I don't think she posts on these threads in good faith

I think dione posts in good faith. But I’m of a similar mindset regarding calling women handmaidens. In general it’s best to challenge someone’s point of view or behaviours rather than making ad hominem attacks.

Which I stand by. Because I don't think she posts on these threads in good faith

I think dione posts in good faith. But I’m of a similar mindset regarding calling women handmaidens. In general it’s best to challenge someone’s point of view or behaviours rather than making ad hominem attacks.

Sorry about the double post —phones fault—

I'm with erish. Only ever see dione on this board to tell us we are doing feminism wrong somehow. It serves to derail the posts.
In fact this thread is a very good example of the divide and conquer used to stop us talking about feminism.
It was a great idea for a thread but wecant discuss it because someone has taken unnecessary offence at the term "handmaidens

So what do people think should be the focus of feminist activity in 2018?

In fact this thread is a very good example of the divide and conquer used to stop us talking about feminism
I’m not sure it does though, to me it highlights differences in people’s approach to feminism. I’m more of a liberal feminist - most on these boards are more radical, therefore I often disagree with posters point of view. But mean to say people like Dione and Lass are derailing just because they have a different opinion to yours.