Hormones and feminism

[shiklah]

Just a thought I've had for a while and I would very much appreciate yours, and any experiences you've had of this.

I am in my mid 40s and feel like the scales have fallen from any eyes over the last 5 years regarding how women are treated, both as a class and in many relationships.

I am wondering if changes in my hormones are responsible for some of these changes as my fertility drops, does this make me less willing to tolerate men and make excuses for them?

When we were younger I put up with all manner of bullshit from men, was this naivety, a hormonal suppression of self interest to promote breeding opportunities or just lack of experience?

Any thoughts, ideas or experiences from the wise women of MNFC much appreciated. Thank you

I have heard that past 40 you have more testosterone than before and less oestrogen than before and this can lead to a thinking change, but it could just be more life experience.

I think you can see it when you are younger, because you are too busy looking ahead. It is just that you think that 10 years ahead is a very long time and that things will change, you will change things and you will not be what your parents/grandparents were. Because things are/will be different.

Then you reach an age where you have experience of the world and can see forwards and backwards, and you realise ten years is nothing, and how everything you thought was changing swings back to how it was.

For me, it feels linked to my desire to have kids. I was insatiably broody from age approx 16, it was all consuming. I feel like I am thinking clearly for the first time ever!

I think it’s more that as a young woman you are more useful to the patriarchy. Then as you have kids you see first hand the inequality. And you realise that the men were in fact just trying to get in your pants. And you get to the situation where men are forging ahead in their careers whereas the women are all either working, doing all the household work as well and shattered. Plus maybe a few of your friends start getting divorced and you see just how badlyvwomen get treated.

I do t think it’s hormonal, I think it’s life experience. There’s a point you look around and think ‘well this is a bit shit isn’t it?’

I'm inclined to think it's life experience and men not flattering you as much in an attempt to get into your pants, but I never had any desire to have kids so that might make some difference.

That's a very good point re usefulness

Yes my 2 of friends have been totally fucked over in divorces.
Motherhood radicalised me.

Also maybe having a ridiculously attractive DD now 13, I see trouble ahead I suppose

I work I'm psychotherapy with teenagers as well, doesn't help build a good view of patriarchy

Sorry typing on phone with fat fingers

I work in a therapeutic setting with teenagers