April 2007
Dig into this month's comments
From marika lahti
No Britney Spears can never be a feminist icon, regardless of how many men she dumped, how much attitude she has or how short her hair is; she is still the girl who's backed up her career by acting out a role as a sex symbol. Britney simply enhanced the pre-existing message that to get somewhere as a woman you need to strip naked, cover yourself in makeup, fill your breast with silicon and pose for the cameras: This is not role modelling for women. Feminism is not about being famous, neither is it about acting as a man or being aggressive. The closest Britney has been to feminism, in my view, is when she told the world she had enough of being an object owned by the public by shaving her hair off. Note that having short hair by itself is not feminism; but in the context of Britney's story it is. Now the next step would be for Britney to speak about her experience: a chance to be a true role model.
Theadora Jean, author of the article, replies
Fair points, I'd say, and I wanted someone to disagree with me to a certain extent. However, to counter your arguments, I do have some comments of my own.
I never once suggested that being a feminist was about being famous, or acting as a man or being aggressive. I argued that she could be an icon essentially because she has a successful career and continues to do the things she wants to do. Meanwhile she faces constant criticism from the media and the public, and I believe this is because she is a woman. My intention was to encourage women especially to stop targeting a young mother who has a lot of talent and we are led to believe is fairly vulnerable at present. There are many more male figures who I think should be criticised.
You seem to think that the only action she has taken that is vaguely feminist is cutting her hair. I think feminism is much broader than such stereotypes and any woman in my view who makes a success of her life against unsurmountable odds and faces a daily barrage of media intrusion deserves applauding, not denouncing. I don't think that wearing revealing clothing, makeup or even stripping naked precludes you from being a feminist either. If she was famous for being in a punk rock band would she be more acceptable to you as a face for feminist cause? Beth Ditto, singer for the Gossip, is lauded for being a feminist icon when she takes her clothes off at gigs, and wears skimpy outfits and cosmetics too. Its never been confirmed that she has had a boob job.
I doubt that Ms. Spears herself would describe herself as a feminist, let alone a feminist icon. However my aim when writing the article was to support a woman in the public eye who I think is unfairly lambasted for doing the things that many young women do and should have the freedom to do. Also I wanted other people to think twice before slagging her off when I think she has much to be proud of, and maybe turn the spotlight on some bad fathers that are famous who could probably do with a good (verbal) kicking.
From Michelle Abrahall
I have to admit I was shocked when I saw the shorn Britney, mainly because she has made money from being a sex symbol, and there aren't many bald sex symbols around. But now I think she should leave the ironic baby-blond wigs at home and flaunt the tank girl look.
From Louise
Britney? A feminist icon? You must be joking. A girl who got breast implants to sell herself better to the masses, a self-confessed Christian with conservative values (virginity until marriage! Was this a clever move to keep her deep-south evangelists fans on side for a while?), an enthusiastic supporter of G W Bush, an mediocre entertainer whose lyrics could have been written by a 10-year old, a career built on gyrating her bottom _ come on, any Hollywood blonde's done that, there's nothing revolutionary about selling your sexuality. Just because she shaved her head doesn't make her feminist, sorry. And please don't call her punk rock. Good Goddess, if Britney's punk then punk's truly dead. I know there were people like Courtney Love to celebrate Britney's new hairdo, and fair enough this is an unconventional move (for once !), but so far she hasn't proved that she had anything radical or remotely feminist to say. Female chauvinist pig, yeah. Liberated woman ? Mmm. You gonna have to try harder than this sister.
Theadora Jean, author of the article, responds
I never said feminism was about shaving your head, I actually wrote about how hard she's worked her entire life, that she is a young mother who is consistently slated for having a social life and who performs minor acts of rebellion against the mainstream. I personally don't think that to be a feminist you have to adhere to particular political parties or be an atheist.
As for her lyrics, I don't propose they are genius reams of poetry, but are you suggesting that most punk rock acts are composed of brilliant lyrics? I suspect that your real objection to Britney Spears as a feminist icon or feminist at all is perhaps that you just don't like her music. Beth Ditto is also fond of taking her clothes of and gyrating, and I imagine she much more fits your bill of what a feminist should be.
My intention while writing the article was to highlight the constant criticism Britney and young women today face, and to try to change peoples perspective of a famous woman in the media (who I believe is unfairly judged on account of being a woman) to be more positive and supportive. But if you'd rather join in with the Britney slagging match, I'm sure you'll find plenty of punk rockers, conservative christians, and Daily Mail readers right there with you.
From mags
I just can't agree with what you have written here. As a frequent reader of this web site I find this article at odds with the usual intelligent insight to be found on this site. I know everyone is entitled to an opinion but the one espoused here is the one the mainstream media feeds us everyday, when women like Britney are still slaves to, and promote, women to live up to unreachable standards of objectification etc. etc.
From Amanda
Britney Spears a feminist icon? Ha.
"Tattoes, piercings, perfumes". Is that the criteria these days? Let's get a few things straight. Spears is no rock star. She is not an exceptionally talented musician, for one. Her fame is based on the fact that she was a blonde busty teen, total boner material, who had the potential to sell a hell of a lot of Pepsis. Throughout the successful era of her career she perpetuated the sexualised image of unrealistic female beauty, with the help of an airbrush. Her fans were predominantly a few young women and a lot of young girls, and yet she was marketed as Sex McSexerson. So she married and divorced two guys, since when has ranking up a few failed marriages been something to aspire to? And as for being a mom...i know a whole lot of moms. I don't see them being written up as feminist icons either.
And as for the clinch with Madonna -I guess I missed the memo where straight women who kiss straight women for media attention brought on by appeasing heterosexual male fantasy was cool again. I mean correct me if I'm wrong but this wasn't a moment of womanly loved shared on Brit's sofa right, this was onstage at the MTV awards right? Yeah, thought so.
Okay, even being the Britney cynic that I am, I can give props to her for shaving her head, as someone whose livelihood has been based on her looks, but hey, it hardly warrants pinning a medal on her scalp.
From Lucy Griffin
In response to Hair today, mad tomorrow.
As I was walking through a train station the other week two women caught my attention. One was sashaying along in a pair of 4-inch'ers and a tight black dress, with shiny, blonde, bouncing, shimmering, glossy hair, she was followed by around 8 or so drooling men (of varying ages). The other was walking confidently in comfortable shoes and a warm coat, she had a completely shaven head and i couldn't imagine her to have been more beautiful. She looked stunning and definitely not in the page 3 way of the above ms shinning bob. The best thing about this experience was that the bald woman wasn't receiving any negative attention, the men let her carry on as normal. There is a possibility that Britney might just have paved the way for a more open minded attitude.
From Kat
What about Natalie Portman? The stunning Israeli-American actress had her head completely shaved ON FILM for the film "V for Vendetta." She went to red carpet galas, posed for magazines, all without her hair. And then after filming wrapped, she stayed bald for a while...because she LIKED IT! Nobody accused her of lesbianism. Nobody even batted an eye. In fact, the most people said was how stunning she looked. I think in overlooking this major example, you overlook a major issue...that Britney Spears WAS acting crazy. Shaving her head was not even CLOSE to the craziest thing she was doing at the time! When a woman acts like a sane, sensible, lovely lady like Natalie did, being bald is a non-issue.
From Maria Seijo-Richart
Re: A worthwhile women's day: I loved Angela Brant's article and I would have loved to attend that conference. I also had a very enjoyable Women's Day, this time at Leeds Met University. The day celebrated the life of Winifred Mercier, the first female dean of the University (beginning of 20th century). Most important of all, I commented on my experience as a teacher in a school where sexism seemed to be encouraged rather than challenged. The positive responses I received made the day totally unforgetable.
From rach
In the article on housework I was irritated that although you started by saying that your own husband had normal domestic skills, the tone of the rest of the article suggested he was in a tiny majority. This is simply not my experience of modern partnerships - I can think of one friend whose husband is unable to iron a shirt or make his tea - amongst my friends (thirty-something professional men and women) he is considered a somewhat inept throwback to an earlier age and his wife to be martyring herself like an idiot. When people of both sexes now live alone for longer surely real partnership is becoming at least the norm we all aim for. As a female doctor who works variable hours washing, ironing and cooking is done by the person with the most time, not the most testosterone.
JC Sutcliffe, author of the article, replies
I'm glad that your experience is so different from mine, and I would certainly expect, as you say, with people living alone for longer that both parties in a relationship would have the necessary domestic skills. But even so equality in the home just hasn't turned out to be the case among people I know.
It's not that I think most men don't have the ability to cook and clean and so on - and even the ones who don't have no excuse not to learn. But for most of the couples I know, it really is unusual and surprising if the man actually uses these skills without being asked. Even among households where both partners share chores, I can only think of one couple where the woman is not the 'house manager' delegating tasks. But I'm pleased you disagree - it gives me hope!
From Summerhill
Brilliant! At last an article about the real world of ordinary day to day stuff that us feminists inhabit, and not about how we are portrayed in the 'meeja'. Well written too. More please.
From Yvonne Goodfield
I don't think that it is right to say that housework is not worthy of women's attention but perhaps that it is worthy of more attention from men too whether co-habiting or living alone.
One way of ensuring fair distribution of household chores might be to threated to "charge" the more reluctant partner at least minimum wage (or equivalent) for each extra hour of housework you end up doing :-)
I do agree with the author that people should stop feeding into the stereotype of the incapable male (in terms of housework) since this just creates a situation of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Indeed, I often hear women complaining that 'he' failed to complete 'X' chore to their exact specifications. Such women could do well to remember that we are all individuals and will necessarily approach tasks in different manners. I can only hope that these women did not express these sentiments to their partners since they are hardly motivating statements.
From Dr John Crippen
Re: Tories sack woman for having breast cancer: Like you, I was outraged by the post from "Trixie" about the woman who was sacked for having breast cancer.
Quite reasonably, you did not care for the quotes from the junior hospital doctor about women in "geographical locations"
I agree.
The BritMeds are, however, largely based on nominations; and that post was nominated by a lot of readers. Should I have ignored it because I did not approve of it?
Gawd knows! I find this sort of question taxing.
But, for what it is worth, I did not agree with it.
Finally, and most importantly, I think it is a great shame that you do not allow comments. I can understand your problems with possibly rabid posts from those who disagree with your feminist politics, but I think you weaken you position by not letting them in.
Best of luck, though - you have a great site.
Jess McCabe, editor of The F Word, responds
I must say, I don't agree with your argument on why you included that particular post in your BritMeds post. I just think that by including it, without any sort of comment, you're giving your tacit approval for the sentiments it expresses. I also wonder whether something that amounts to little more than one of those crappy "humorous" circulars you see on "why women/men suck", is really such a great example of a blog post anyway.
From jo
I was very interested in the post on the Ofsted report on sex education and in particular Ofsted's comments on men's magazines. What concerns me that in the absence of sex education, these magazines become more influential and that the sexist attitudes they perpetuate are seen as the norm. I find it extremely worrying that Ofsted considers that they 'redress the balance'.
From A.
Re: Eritrea bans female circumcision: Both The Lancet and UNFPA have published articles recently about the progress being made in Africa, some of it, though not all, fairly positive.
Meanwhile, Papillon, the French woman who is recording her path towards having her circumcision reversed, continues to blog. She has had an initial consultation and the operation is scheduled for May. Her blog is here. If there are any French speakers out there who could add to her discussion on what femininity is, it might help.
From Claire
Joanna Tocher's review of the Observer's 50 men list is spot-on. I just came across the list in question yesterday and it's good to see I wasn't the only one gnashing my teeth in discomfort. First up, why is a magazine devoted to women all about men? Why is there a man on the cover? Why are so many of the men included 'pioneers' of fashion and medicine who have encouraged women to bankrupt themselves on handbags and destroy their bodies with costly surgical procedures? In fact I take objection to pretty much every word in the Observer article - any chance it was all an ironic joke?
From Jane Lockwood
This is the first time I have looked at this site and how refreshing to read something intelligent, observant and thought provoking when faced with the every day bombardment of utter rubbish from magazines and television.
From Suchandrika
Joanna Tocher's article on Observer Woman Monthly, Who's to Say Who Understands Us? is fantastic. I have only just discovered it. Very good examples indeed. I read the original '50 Men' article with my jaw on the floor. It was insane. It was as though they had just sourced pictures of the first 20 or so men who came to mind, for whatever reason, and then sent off the workie to google 'Man+Handbag'.
OWM is a monthly disappointment - I would expect so much more from the Guardian. What I get is a free issue of 'Grazia for Dummies'.
From Holly Barnes-Thomas
Re: Suffering in silence: How fantastic to hear a man not afraid to stand up against the injustices women experience on a daily basis. Only last night I took an early evening, ten minute walk from home to meet some friends and was harassed twice in that short distance, once by a group of men shouting at me as I passed them and once by another man who appeared to be stopping to ask me for directions then proceeded to make lewd comments on my appearance. I arrived at my destination furious that I couldn't even leave my own house without experiencing intimidation of this kind.
The unfortunate thing is that people do not take issues such as these seriously. The general perception seems to be that women should somehow be flattered by the attention; that they should perceive intimidating, drunken displays of hyper-masculinity and downright creepy approaches from strangers on the street as compliments. So thank you George! Spread the word; feminism's not just for girls! (-or for that matter angry women who think they're better than men)
If we were all feminists there would be no need for feminism!
From Maria
This is a comment on the article titled Pretending that men aren't grown ups. I agree with every word put forward by the author. However, being young and crazy as I am, I would go one step further.
Where I come from, the rules regarding car accidents is simple "the one that crushes INTO is the culprit". Even if I so choose to stop my car in the middle of the motorway and I get hit as a result, it is still the car that crushes into me the one at fault. That said, I think regarding rapism in general, the same rule should be applied. Why? Well, as it was clarified in the article, women can get hurt from sex, men can't. I know I may be oversimplifying the situation, but I think it's high time men are being held responsible for their actions.
From Stephen Austin
I am a 16 year old male from B.C. Canada. I recently read the article about slogans on women's t-shirts. I have decided to do essay for my English class on sexuality in fashion. While researching the topic I came across this article, and I thought I'd let you know that I do agree with what the authors message is. Although being a male I don;t find these slogans attractive by any means! Therefore i do not feel that fashion is "male-focused" and find this outlashing completely offensive.
From Amy
I really enjoyed this article, and agreed with pretty much all your points. I particularly liked your alternative options for slogans, especially the "I am Woman, Hear Me Roar" slogan.
From Rachael
I just read Sick of celebrity it was brilliant, I often find it difficult, at the moment, to put into words (that other people understand) what I think. And this article spoke of exactly how I feel about this celebrity obsession, how the media control by saying what we should want i.e. get thin, pretty, laid. And its true, when I'm at school I see it ALL the time, girls starving themselves, either eating little or not at all. Girls who are frankly skinny and still, they pinch their own skin and claim themselves 'fat' or of course, there is the 'i'm ugly!' option too. I'm sick of it, and I find it difficult to ignore, I find myself beginning to worry about my own weight, because, surely if everyone else is? And if that girl in my class says she's fat, and I'm twice the size of her... And that is exactly what its like.
From Kelv
Re: Paper dolls: searching for women within Kerrang magazine: Rock music is dominated by men. It\'s like picking up a reggae magazine, and saying "Whites aren't represented in this at all, I'm going to complain.
Collette, author of the article, replies
Yes. Rock music is dominated by men (and specifically white men) but that doesn't mean that there aren't female rock musicians out there who have just as much right to coverage within the pages of a magazine like Kerrang which purports to represent this specific music scene.
My main point of contention with magazines like Kerrang is that there is an essential assumption made that music generated by women is somehow less valid than that created by men. The rock industry also seems to perpetuate this belief when they spoon feed the public a packaged image of women in rock as ';sexy' as opposed to musically able.
Music is an art form, a form of expression, and as such it should be free to be enjoyed by all regardless of class, gender or race. I doubt very much that the rock bands themselves would discriminate against certain groups or believe that only white males should enjoy their music. By the same token Kerrang shouldn't discriminate against musicians or fans on the basis of their gender or only allow them to be seen within their pages if they fit a highly sexualised image.
From Lord Continuum
I'm sure countless others have posted this already, but I highly doubt Kerrang! has even remote notions of sexual discrimination against women - for a start, the female staff in Kerrang! outnumber the male staff 3 to 1.
With regards to there being less coverage of female rock artists in the magazine: the simple fact is, there are more male fronted rock/metal acts than there are pre-dominantly female. Quite why this is, is an uncertainty, in the same way that it's an uncertainty as to why there are generally more women working in the care and nursing fields than men. It's not discrimination, it just "is".
From Alba
There isn't enough articles that deal with representations of women in rock. I hope the writer continues her investigation and goes on to shed more light on this subject. Thanks for the article.
From Debbie
Re: Mooncup
Ailsa, your article was great! Thanks! Hearing what the product was like from another woman telling it like it is for her rather than some sales blurb was great. I'm going to give it a try.
From Ash
I have been looking at the article regarding Deconstructing Masculinity and feel as though it is a load of rubbish biased and poorly researched information, I have never seen such nonsense, and to say it from a professional on a what looks to be a respectable website... o dear sack the editor for even allowing it. I am a BA student and am my self research the role of masculinity and the change of it becoming ever more effeminate in today society; men are just as much violent towards women as women are towards men. As Sheryl Plant had contradicted her self in the above article, it is media that portrait's women as the weaker sex. In-fact when it comes to violence women are the brewers of violence, it is women mother, wife of young that can make the difference. Men are stereotyped by women and have to behave in a certain way! Most of the men that commit this violence are from family where women allow them to bear witness to violence, any women that bring children up in them environments and then the one that, complain when their sons are beating women robbing and rapping... that's the world that women (the strong sex) I feel are the ones that control.
Jess McCabe, editor of The F Word responds
So, a man beats up or rapes a woman, and it's not his fault - it's his mother's fault. Or his wife's fault? It's amazing, it really is. Here are some real statistics on domestic violence and rape. According to the British Crime Survey, 81% of domestic violence victims are women and 19% are men. That's four out of five cases. Strong evidence, indeed, that women are just as violent towards men as men are towards women.
From ange
Re: Bad Mothers: Hailing from a background throughly devoid of feminism & being the mother of two small children I was surprised at how much this article made me laugh! I love my children dearly but do understand the contempt for the ideal that is the PTA mother - fortunately I still work so I think this has enabled me to retain some basic grasp on reality -long may it continue. Well done! (Although not really ecstatic or enthralled by the deflated balloon comment.)
From JJ
Re: "Feminists are sexist": Antifeminist men don't complain about not being the center of attention when feminists depict sexism...they complain because they often get no attention whatsoever. It really unfair to just concentrate on one sex and ignore the other with these issues, and saying that men benefit as a consequence of concentrating on women is a pretty immature and self-serving cop-out. The system is clearly flawed and your "defense" of it was more condescening to men than it was convincing. Men that define how women should be based on mens issues and what benefits men would be called one thing: sexist. Women who do the same are no different.
From John Dakin
Re: Oh, Mr Darcy!: I am dismayed by this article; as Sheryl Plant does not seem to have read the book. Darcy is not described as brutal; nor would he in any way subscribe to the morals of James Bond; he is caring of his younger sister; Elizabeth Bennett's response to his first proposal causes him to reflect on his own behaviour, and to think of it with abhorrence. He is never shown as "dumping" women, or as being violent towards them. Do read the book with attention, if you are going to write about it!
From Lara Bradley
Re: The story on picking up your own tab: I'm a married woman, a reporter who works for a daily in Sudbury, Ont., Canada, and this is something I've struggled with when male coworkers have offered to pick up the cost of lunch or even coffee. It has always made me uncomfortable. We make exactly the same wage and like them, I'm the primary provider for my household (my husband decided to run a business from our home while looking after the children). I've always refused and have in fact gone out of my way to pay for my own food or coffee. I don't want to feel beholden or allow the other person the sense of ownership that develops when paying for another's food.
From Irina
Re: Fear Factor: Although I agree with the author that society should eliminate male aggression towards women rather than scare women into staying in, I think this particular ad is good. Information is power, in this context. Unsafety of an unlicenced mini-cab should be made public and well-known, otherwise many women will be guiled by smiley or friendly-looking strangers into their cars if there are no bus in sight, or they can think it is a better option.
This ad is different from, say, an ad which could link drinking alcohol to higher chances of attack and which would sound like blaming the victim.
I also think that in men's loos and on public billboards there should be ads for men, something like: if you forget to ask, we will be asking you some questions in the court - like it was actually done by Home Office couple of yours ago. Yes, there should be more adds targeted at men to warn them off rather than terrify already terrified women.
Gosh, how I hate men on couple of days a year when I have to come home late, I think this can be seen on my face by anyone. Between fear and hate, I choose hate. Not nice, but honest. I am sure such emotions are part of many women' lives, even for a short time. That's nothing to do with feminism, just anger that you simply cannot feel safe.
From Loni Ellsworth
Re: Contraception and control - teenage rights: This article helped me alot with a research project I've been working on, and confirmed my views on our rights. I too am a female teen and I think your article rocked.
From Polly Trenow
I would like to say how relieved I was reading Dawn Kofie's article on the Observer Woman. Many of my female friends held the same hopes and were similarly disappointed. It has the opportunity to provide a truly refreshing read but instead it plays to masses and air-head cliches about make up and sex. My faith was completely lost when the article '100 most important men for women' included mainly fashion designers and pop stars and barely anyone who has massively impacted my life. I am still disappointed every month and the Observer Weekly supplement remains a much better representation of my interests in a magazine. I'm just glad I wasn't the only one whose expectations were shattered.
From Sean O'Doherty
Re: Why it's time for the 'battle of the sexes' to end: I came across this site by chance while researching a University assignment about football and music, in a part of a review I talk about 'lad culture' and its tie in with such songs as 'Three Lions and 'Vindaloo'. We all know the stereotype of a guy involved with 'lad culture', drink excessively, talk gratuitously about personal sexual exploits as well degrading females in the street with horrid and sometimes embarrassing un-called for comments, also to talk about football and sport as a whole throughout any point in history upto present day is a must do, attending football or watching is essential, and the odd bit of fighting also can tie in with the weekly routine of being a 'Geezer'.
Ok, I found the feature by Laura Baldwin was absolutely superb titled 'Why It's time for the ';battle of the sexes' to end'. I found the piece very witty and gave me a wee chuckle now and again with some great sarcasm especially the ending. Laura made some great points and gave me a better view and re-assured my own personal opinions about 'lad culture'.
Just to confirm and confess I am a re-formed person once bemused and trapped as such in 'laddism' throughout my mid-teens after falling in with the wrong crowd drinking and attending footy matches and fighting, but I always seemed different to the rest of them, for one my mother brought me up to be a gentleman and to respect women as equals and I was never one to put my opinions to one side I have always believed in expression and when I saw my ex-friends belittling women and treating them with un-gentlemanly conduct, I was quick to change my ways I totally stopped drinking, changed my appearance and removed myself from that peer group.
Now even though I still have a love of football and playing sport and even writing about it, I enjoy the fact I am my own individual person and that I am a follower in equal rights for women, especially equal pay for female sports competition winners.
Finally I would like to say thank you to Laura Baldwin and the fword as a whole.
From Joanna
I just wanted to comment about the article on Ariel Levy's book, 'Female Chauvinist Pigs', which I really enjoyed reading myself, and also enjoyed reading your discussion about it. Some expressed concerns about how the issues about women's sexuality could potentially divide women into opposition with one another which could be detrimental to the feminist agenda, perhaps that is true, but then again, I am inclined to think opening a can of worms is preferable to not having any discussion about it at all. I think the discussion/argument might be the first step in achieving some level of understanding.
From Martina
Re: Dreaming of a pink Christmas: On a happy note, one of the biggest children's clothes retailers in Sweden recently started redecorating their stores so that all clothes are divided by size and not gender - and introduced a huge collection called unisex for babies. This has gone well so far, over half clothes sold are now from the Unisex collection. "Function before fashion, girls tops shouldn't have to be tight and short, they need something just as relaxed as boys t-shirts," the owner states. So looks like if retailers could just dare to put something less gender-stereotypic out there, they might actually gain economically...
From Sam Duffy
Re: Taboo for who?: I don't see that using the word 'cunt' as an offensive term is the problem. I know a lot of cunts - all female, as do I know a lot of dicks - all male. 'Dick' or 'cock' to me represents a male and a male only. For example there is a Jarvis Cocker song entitled 'Cunts are Still Running the World' To me that's just not true- since men are still running the world it should be 'Cocks' instead of 'Cunts.' I think by using the term 'cunt' towards a man is aggressive and dare I say it, hateful towards the vagina and women's sexuality in general. Yet should we make terms gender exculisve? Dicks for those who have dicks and cunts for those who have cunts? I think its prehaps the only way to claim back our 'cunt'!
From Julie
You are just a bitter, twisted hate filled woman destined to live a lonely loveless life just as you deserve.
What a horrible existence you must lead and who can imagine the amount of damage you have done to women everywhere, who now have to put up with just that little bit more poison between the sexes because of hate-mongering women like you.
Good luck. Your life is empty and deserves to be that way.
From daniela
who cares if the world often sees women in relation to their house? I am an ex manager, and I am only too happy to take a break and care of my children now. How fantastic to have someone who works and cares for you, so you can abandon the work stress and take on the "house stress" which is as hard, but much more worth, as all sacrifices are only made for your own family and the reward is love...
From poppy
I love this site.
From Irina
Re: Could Britney Spears be the feminist icon of our generation?: I agree with the author, I hate all this Britney-bashing. I had a poster of her above my desk at my new work saying "hands off Britney" long ago when some moron came up with computer game where one would burst her tits (in the times when there were speculations that she had a boob-job). Just think of it, so much hatred! Ever seen Bush's balls on offer to burst on the Internet? Or Hugh Hefner's nuts to crack? No? Why not? Ah, but they are men, and it's just very cool to hate "a girl". It's safe. Even before Britney hair-do, I was thinking: surely it's none of your business how much she parties when all the newspapers wrote about her in such a chiding tone. They would never allow such tone for a man, the whole point was policing, finger-wagging, and you only do it to a girl. Not to a man. So, they all stink and she is right. I hope she is not down but is kicking asses, because that's what all these asses deserve.