Features

Girls Aloud, beauty secrets and lies

A recent magazine article on Girls Aloud proclaimed to "reveal their beauty secrets". But, Michelle Wright argues, all it really did was expose the effects of subscribing to patriarchal, capitalist beauty standards on women's self-esteem

Published: 3 June 2007 | Category: Body and Health, Culture and Media, Fashion and Image | Written by Michelle Wright

First impressions

Feminists are caricatured as ugly and fat by society. Assuming a recruitment drive for swim-suit models is off the table, Samara Ginsberg considers what we can do to fight back

Published: 2 June 2007 | Category: Body and Health, Fashion and Image, Feminism, Stereotypes | Written by Samara Ginsberg

Female commentator kicks off barrage of sexism

A woman commentating on the beautiful game? Whoever heard of such a thing. Katherine confronts the sexist response to Jacqui Oatley's first stint on Match of the Day

Published: 2 June 2007 | Category: Culture and Media, Work and Play | Written by Katherine

A feminist guide to ballet

From body image to ultra-femininity, ballet has a bad rap with feminists. Returning to classes for the first time in 15 years, Jess McCabe finds her inner ballerina

Published: 2 June 2007 | Category: Body and Health, Culture and Media, Fashion and Image | Written by Jess McCabe

Reviews

Big Sister

In an alternate universe, the most popular reality show on TV is Big Sister, and it is populated by some feminists you might recognise. They are all discussing Jessica Valenti's new book Full Frontal Feminism. But, Kate Smurthwaite argues, they are missing the point

Published: 6 June 2007 | Category: Books | Written by Kate Smurthwaite

Loose Women

Loose Women portrays itself as feisty television fun, argues Dawn Kofie, but it patronises the female viewing public

Published: 2 June 2007 | Category: Television | Written by Dawn Kofie

The circle of expectations

We all like a good laugh. But, George Mason argues, the antics of Oxford's improv troupe reveal the lingering shadow of gender stereotypes

Published: 2 June 2007 | Category: Comedy | Written by George Mason