Hello, new here. And loving all the chat and and also loving the usernames!!
So something I have been thinking about a lot is this.
There is an underlying message that we as women are not safe in society, in the media TV etc.
And we are not. Unfortunately male violence is a fact. Also we are reduced to stereotypes and frequently just judged on how we look and behave ( is it feminine to act in certain way, are we attractive etc ) this is dehumanising.
A great way to suppress and control anyone is to create an underlying feeling of fear and dehumanise them.
So here is my point. I have always loved women’s only spaces as it gives me information that women are not a set of stereotypes, that our bodies are amazing and do not conform to airbrushed images. And very importantly it gives me a sense of safety that I do not get anywhere else. Women are entitled to feel safe!! We are entitled to be naked and not have male bodies on the same space. We are entitled to have women’s only spaces to exchange ideas. And just enjoy the safe feeling of being with other women.!
I also have grave concerns that we will be exposing our daughters to normalisation of men in women’s space. This makes boundary setting even more difficult.
In regard to changing rooms. Gender neutral with individual cubicles I find a pain in the arse TBH. I can’t walk around naked. I can’t shower properly ( after swimming ) I think with gender neutral , something very important will be lost.
I am not saying we should get rid of gender neutral.
I think it is very important, however there should be a sex based option too. Women are still vulnerable in gender neutral.
I suppose what I’m saying is my and others women’s sense of safety in the world is very important! That it is important that I can see the reality of our bodies!