Articles from May 2006

The Spice Girls' Legacy

Sarah Parry defends the legacy of the oft-ridiculed Spice Girls. She argues that 1996 should be seen as a feminist renaissance, and explains how the band promoted ideas of individuality and female friendship that were hugely influential to girls at the time.

Sarah Parry // 29 May 2006

Categories: Music

Real Female Heroines

As FHM publishes its '100 sexiest women' list, Maxine Frances goes for an antidote and pays tribute to her own female idols, whilst pondering the effect female heroines can have in inspiring young women and girls.

Maxine Frances // 29 May 2006

Categories: Culture and Media

How Opal Mehta Got Kissed Got Wild And Got A Life

Clare Burgess reviews Kaavya Viswanathan's 'coming of age' story. Purporting to be about a teenage character finding herself, it is in fact is a rather predictable tale where the happy ending involves - guess what? - finding a boyfriend.

Clare Burgess // 29 May 2006

Categories: Books

New Rights, Old Wrongs

Civil Partnerships being restricted to same-sex couples is more than a strange and irritating political decision - it's an indefensible refusal to create real legal equality for all citizens. Susan Hunter explains how the Equal Partnership Campaign is fighting to end 400 years of sexual segregation - and how you can help.

Susan Hunter // 29 May 2006

Categories: Politics and Current Affairs, Sex and Relationships

Munich

Maria Seijo-Richart examines how Steven Spielberg's Munich repeats trends first identified by feminists in the 1970s; that sexually active female characters who deviate from traditional female roles must be punished.

Maria Seijo-Richart // 29 May 2006

Categories: Films

The 'Right' Time for Motherhood?

Some women are attacked for being 'too old' to have children (selfish!), some for being 'too young' (irresponsible!), and yet others for choosing to remain childfree (even more selfish!). Lorraine Smith discusses recent press coverage of pregnancy and women's choices.

Lorraine Smith // 29 May 2006

Categories: Body and Health

Oh, Mr Darcy!

Why do so many heterosexual women still find the Darcy figure attractive? Sheryl Plant ponders the influence of romantic fiction on women's expectations of love and relationships. She discusses how lusting after the dominant male archetype can be interpreted both as resistance to patricarchy and compliance with it.