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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Can Men Be Feminists?

263 replies

Yambabe · 02/08/2018 23:50

Musing. While I've always been on the side of equality and rights for women I don't think, in the past, I would have called myself a feminist.

I'm now starting to do a little more background reading about history and feminist theories, but only really started and don't have the knowledge that I know some of you all do.

The more I read the more interesting it get though, and the more I realise that there is no one-size-fits-all definition of feminism. The basic premise seems to be that society treats men as superior to women, women are oppressed by patriarchy and that feminism exists in all its various forms to try and lift that oppression and attain true equality for women.

So with that in mind, is feminism something that only women can truly understand or is it something that can be open to anyone who understands the premise? There are undoubtedly some men who empathise with the theories and aims of feminism but are they feminists or just supporters?

Not sure where I'm going with this, just curious to see how others view it I think. Also happy to take on board any reading recommendations (although I have already found the other sections of FWR to be a great resource).

OP posts:
PatriarchyPersonified · 03/08/2018 09:54

Bertrand, no it is rather ill-considered I'm afraid, without going through it point by point, I think you know it is.

The Bechdel test was another one I nearly jumped on. Come on, you know that's nonsense right?

Melanippe · 03/08/2018 09:55

This thread is a variation of Lewis's Law in action.

LangCleg is supposed to feel chastised

TheCountryGirl is supposed to feel stupid and backfooted

Bertrand is supposed to be preening now in the glow of male approbation

Fascinating stuff.

AnyFucker · 03/08/2018 09:55

The NHS is not alone in it's tendency to overpromote and fast track men into senior positions

Often before they are actually equipped to do the role

Melanippe · 03/08/2018 09:56

Oh no, now Bertrand is being negged.

Thrilling stuff.

AnyFucker · 03/08/2018 09:56

It's all here. Wrapped in one tasty little pancake.

BertrandRussell · 03/08/2018 10:01

PP-feel free to go through it point by point. I'd be delighted to hear your views.

Agastache · 03/08/2018 10:01

This is fucking ace!

Bowlofbabelfish · 03/08/2018 10:01

I knew this would happen.

And lo. A man has arrived to tell us how we are doing it wrong. Our definitions are wrong and we are just wrong. Also MENMENMEN WHATABOUTTHEMEN.

Sort of sums it all up really.

Agastache · 03/08/2018 10:02

It really shows that you don't even have to scratch the surface, you just hint that a crust has formed.

And it pours out.

LangCleg · 03/08/2018 10:12

LangCleg is supposed to feel chastised

Teehee!

LangCleg is very busy watching the QED in action.

LangCleg has no aspiration for men to think she is a reasonable person.

LangCleg thinks men can't be feminists and doesn't give a single shiny shit what any penis has to say about that.

Bowlofbabelfish · 03/08/2018 10:15

LangCleg has no aspiration for men to think she is a reasonable person.

Neither does Babelfish. I dont need male approval, or male validation and I shan’t be poked into forced teaming.

I will have some of AFs pancakes though if she has plum sauce and is in the mood to share ...

UpstartCrow · 03/08/2018 10:18

No aspiration? The approvement of randoms on the internet isn't something to aspire to Confused

AnyFucker · 03/08/2018 10:19
TheCountryGirl · 03/08/2018 10:20

😂 and I was too busy vacuuming the house to feel stupid. That pesky women's work getting in the way of being all edumacated by the manly man.

UpstartCrow · 03/08/2018 10:20

How immature do you need to be to have other people look up to you, by default, based on your sex? Even ones you;'ve never met?

PatriarchyPersonified · 03/08/2018 10:26

In the interests of everyones self development, it might be worth some of the more prolific posters in this thread to get a 'muggle' who isn't as bought into the whole radical feminism point of view as they are to review this thread and give them their honest opinion of who comes off sounding more unreasonable and out of touch with reality.

Just a thought.

Melanippe · 03/08/2018 10:31

Well now look what you did LangCleg and TheCountryGirl

We now have to go and find another man to tell us that we're all being unreasonable. You know what that means don't you? I'm going to have to stop binge watching Little House on the Prairie don't you fucking dare judge me, get showered and dressed and go out and find a man, I'll then have to explain to the poor bemused chap that a man on the internet told me to find him and show him this thread to prove that he's not being an arse.

Wayyyy too much effort and all your fault! Grin

BertrandRussell · 03/08/2018 10:33

PP -I thought you were going to comment on my list

Agastache · 03/08/2018 10:34

In the interests of everyones self development, it might be worth some of the more prolific posters in this thread to get a 'muggle' who isn't as bought into the whole radical feminism point of view as they are to review this thread and give them their honest opinion of who comes off sounding more unreasonable and out of touch with reality.

SmileStar

Brilliant, just brilliant. Keep it up!

UpstartCrow · 03/08/2018 10:35

Something you did raised the Patriarchy. Don't do it again #badwitch

LangCleg · 03/08/2018 10:36

Well now look what you did LangCleg and TheCountryGirl

Women! Know your place! Do not be prolific! Prolific is bad! You might drown out the very important lordly pronouncements!

PatriarchyPersonified · 03/08/2018 10:37

Now we have to go and find another man

It can be a woman, probably better if it is tbh.

😁

Agastache · 03/08/2018 10:37

It is like a lesson in 'othering'.

53rdWay · 03/08/2018 10:40

Why yes, why has radical feminism never thought of running focus groups to make sure our message isn’t too off-putting to men, what a wonderful idea, we’ll get right on that.

Melanippe · 03/08/2018 10:44

I could get behind a focus group 53rdWay as long as I didn't have to stop watching Laura Ingalls navigate her way through pioneer life. Maybe if we were all just nicer then everything would be ok? I mean, that's worked so well up until now.

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