Sex and Relationships
Feminist views on sex and relationships.
What a load of wank
Hordes of girls dream of becoming glamour models, but are too embarrassed to even talk about masturbation. Sophie Platt rages against a taboo which only affects girls and women
Published: 14 July 2008 | Written by Sophie Platt
Kink 101
BDSM may set off red flags for feminists, says Kit Roskelly. But so does sitting in judgment on women's sexual preferences
Published: 5 July 2008 | Written by Kit Roskelly
Cartoon special...
In a break from our usual text-based programming, a selection of cartoons on the theme of men and women, by Yvonne Howard
Published: 9 June 2008 | Written by Yvonne Howard
A slice-by-slice attack on women's right to choose
The campaign to ban women from terminating pregnancies after 20 weeks is only the beginning, says Kit Roskelly
Published: 11 May 2008 | Written by Kit Roskelly
How to get an activist movement to keep women in prostitution
What use are sex worker groups that give out condoms and showers, but can't help women who want to exit prostitution? Ekis reports from Barcelona on prostitution and the campaign for legalisation
Published: 16 March 2008 | Written by Ekis
How the word 'slut' oppresses women
Ever been called a 'slag'? How about 'frigid'? Jennifer Drew explains how such derogatory language is used to keep women in their place
Published: 31 January 2008 | Written by Jennifer Drew
The F Word Podcast - episode three!
Episode three of The F Word podcast - on the tricky topic of pornography - is out now!
Published: 14 January 2008 | Written by Jess McCabe
Against censorship
Porn should be reformed, not banned, argues Laurie Penny
Published: 2 January 2008 | Written by Laurie Penny
Glamour models made me sick
Lads' mags are responsible for my eating disorder, says Hannah Whittaker
Published: 2 January 2008 | Written by Hannah Whittaker
Abortion: still a feminist issue
It is 40 years since abortion was legalised in the UK, yet our right to control our own bodies is still under threat. Irina Lester reports
Published: 6 October 2007 | Written by Irina Lester
Crinolines and corsets... again
Period drama concentrates almost exclusively on the bonnets and Bennets universe of the 19th century novel, while there are few adaptations of more recent material dealing with gender politics and the sexual revolution. Cazz Blase makes some suggestions
Published: 5 October 2007 | Written by Cazz Blase
Sexual healing?
Penetration is not the be-all and end-all of sex, argues Jennifer Drew, so why does the medical establishment seek to pathologise women who just don't like it?
Published: 1 October 2007 | Written by Jennifer Drew
No porn is good porn?
Is it possible to reconcile an appreciation for porn with feminism? Searching for answers, Abby O'Reilly interviews Anna Span, the UK's first female porn director
Published: 1 October 2007 | Written by Abby O'Reilly
'Who... me? I'm just a housewife'
Feminism is not just for women with high-flying careers, and feminists must do more to engage women who feel alienated from the movement, argues Jen Clayton
Published: 30 September 2007 | Written by Jen Clayton
Maid of the manor
Despite all our advances, men still dominate public life. But if they are so smart, asks Amity Reed, why can't they fathom how to do the housework?
Published: 30 August 2007 | Written by Amity Reed
Abby Lee - girl with (not just) a one-track mind
Sex-blogger Abby Lee faces down the double standard that would label her a slut on a regular basis. She speaks to Abby O'Reilly about being 'outed' in the press, fan mail and her new role as spokesperson for the next sexual revolution
Published: 8 August 2007 | Written by Abby O'Reilly
Coitophobia: who do you trust?
Maria Roberts explains why she bypassed writing about the experience of domestic violence, to craft a play about two women pulling themselves together after their escape
Published: 8 August 2007 | Written by Maria Roberts
'Honey! Your vagina needs a mint'
The Vagina Institute purports to provide a public service to curious women. But Samara Ginsberg detects a rather different agenda
Published: 7 July 2007 | Written by Samara Ginsberg
I did it my way
The word spinster seems woefully out-dated. But, when Emma Hadfield exited a long-term relationship, she found some people still can't come to terms with women who choose to stay single and child-free
Published: 7 July 2007 | Written by Emma Hadfield
Yummy-mummy or pramface?
Baby-making has become a high-pressure pursuit, argues Abby O'Reilly. Celebrity 'yummy-mummies' only raise the stakes further and obscure the realities of child-birth and motherhood
Published: 7 July 2007 | Written by Abby O'Reilly
A Bride by Any Other Name
When Eleanor Turner announced that she would not be changing her name after walking down the aisle, and instead her new husband would take on her surname, reactions ranged from shock to annoyance. She considers why breaking with tradition provokes such strong feelings
Published: 2 May 2007 | Written by Eleanor Turner
The farmer wants a wife, the wife wants a wife
Women don't want to be lumbered with the housework, but men aren't willing to pick up the bucket and mop. Right? JC Sutcliffe asks why women perpetuate the myth that men are incapable of doing domestic chores
Published: 29 March 2007 | Written by JC Sutcliffe
Flicking the Bean
Thanks to the media and canny advertising agencies, we are surrounded by sexualised images of women. Abby O'Reilly asks why actual female sexual pleasure is still taboo
Published: 1 March 2007 | Written by Abby O'Reilly
Sex and the Music Video
Like the rest of us, Fay Bound Alberti can't seem to escape the soft-core pornography that's become part of everyday life. She ponders what it all means for women, men, girls, boys, and relationships.
Published: 1 February 2007 | Written by Fay Bound Alberti
A Real Alternative?
As feminists fight to expand the frontiers of sexuality beyond the one-size-fits all, bland world of lad-mag culture, do 'alternative porn' sites have something to offer the feminist cause - or are they the same old objectification with extra tattoos? Jessica Bateman discusses some of the possible pros and cons of 'alt-porn'.
Published: 3 January 2007 | Written by Jessica Bateman
The Food of Love?
When a man insists on paying for all your meals, what's the real motive? Claire McGowan examines why she fights for the right to pay her own way.
Published: 16 November 2006 | Written by Claire McGowan
Declaration of Independence
You're female, successful, single, and prefer your life that way. So why are you still seen as an object of pity? Abby O'Reilly argues that women are still put under immense pressure by friends, family, and the dominant culture to 'bag a man'.
Published: 26 September 2006 | Written by Abby O'Reilly
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.
Published: 29 May 2006 | Written by Susan Hunter
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.
Published: 29 May 2006 | Written by Sheryl Plant
Why men suck (and the women who have to)
When teaching English in Cambodia, a country with a pervasive, exploitative sex industry, Laura Carr was shocked to discover that almost all her western male friends were happy to participate.
Published: 17 September 2004 | Written by Laura Carr
Just a Stripper
Can sex work ever be truly radical when money is involved? Exploring how feminists and feminist sex workers are often forced into opposing camps, Natasha Forrest argues that a simplistic 'for or against' divide does not reflect the true complexity of the issue.
Published: 11 August 2004 | Written by Natasha Forrest
Every Girl Wants a Stalker
Films, pop songs and mainstream popular culture all push the same message: that men must pursue women to ridiculous extremes, even if the attention is unwanted. Yet if women pursue men, they are seen as desperate, needy, and sad. Rachel E exposes the double standard.
Published: 1 August 2004 | Written by Rachel E
Why It's time for the 'battle of the sexes' to end
Lad culture has done nothing more than perpetuate petty hatred between the sexes. Enough is enough, says Laura Baldwin.
Published: 20 July 2004 | Written by Laura Baldwin
Growing up or giving in?
Ms Razorblade is sick and tired of being told that being a lesbian-feminist and a vegan is boring, prudish, and dull, dull, dull. Is refusing men, meat and porn a sign of immaturity - or is 'growing up' really just giving in?
Published: 20 July 2004 | Written by Ms Razorblade
Contraception and Control - Teenage Rights
Megan argues that teenagers deserve the same control over their bodies and rights to contraception as any other women - without having to go through their parents.
Published: 1 June 2004 | Written by Megan
A Perfect Delusion
What effect are men's magazines having on men's views of women and heterosexual relationships? Samantha Lyster thinks men who fall for the magazines' propaganda about women are setting themselves up for a fall.
Published: 19 April 2004 | Written by Samantha Lyster
Are you married? If not, why not?
Why isn't she married? Because it's a patriarchal, homophobic institution, and always will be, says Victoria Dutchman-Smith.
Published: 19 March 2004 | Written by Victoria Dutchman-Smith
The Feminist Minefield?
Lorraine Smith doesn't think feminism is incompatible with a penchant for pornography. She argues that the industry is finally beginning to benenfit women, both as participants and viewers.
Published: 19 December 2003 | Written by Lorraine Smith
Body Language Speaks Volumes
Reading feminist research on the subject of non-verbal behaviour was a revelation to Anna Sandfield. Here she explains how women and men's subconscious body language (touching, sitting, even smiling) can reinforce gender roles - without even being aware of it.
Published: 19 October 2003 | Written by Anna Sandfield
There is no Groom
Can a traditional wedding ever be compatible with feminist principles? Beth Anderson negotiates the minefield of surnames, dresses, cakes, throwing the bouquet and "bad luck" - and chooses not to blindly follow tradition.
Published: 19 October 2003 | Written by Beth Anderson
The Name of the Game
Can you be a 'Mrs' and a feminist at the same time? Mrs Angela Everitt explores.
Published: 19 October 2003 | Written by Angela Everitt
Sexual Healing
Ben Thurgood wonders why the feminist concept of equality in sex hasn't entered into the mainstream - after all, equality is just common sense, surely?
Published: 19 September 2003 | Written by Ben Thurgood
Reproductive freedom in the UK.
Andy Roberts wonders why so few of us are aware of the threats to reproductive choice in the UK.
Published: 16 June 2003 | Written by Andy Roberts
25 Burning Questions
Holly Combe answers the questions men are "too embarassed to ask"
Published: 16 April 2003 | Written by Holly Combe
Dysfunctional, moi? The Myth of Female Sexual Dysfunction and its Medicalisation
Jennifer Drew tears apart the the myth of 'female sexual dysfunction', and looks at how female sexuality is becoming increasingly medicalised.
Published: 16 April 2003 | Written by Jennifer Drew
Smug Intentions: Richard and Judy on Chivalry
Holly Combe examines the hidden motives behind the calls for a return to chivalry. When Richard and Judy joined the debate recently, did they really have anything constructive to add?
Published: 16 February 2003 | Written by Holly Combe
What's Up Baby?
Missmogga explains why she objects to the commercial sex industry and modern culture's representation of black women.
Published: 16 October 2002 | Written by Missmogga
More responses to 'Whose Slut?'
Natasha Forrest's article "Whose Slut?" in The F-Word in July prompted many responses - probably the most on one specific article this site has ever had. Here are the latest comments received during August-October.
Published: 16 October 2002 | Written by Various Authors
Bend Over Girls - he's in Freak Mode
Society needs to stop thinking of men as slaves to their sexual urges, argues Holly Combe. She examines the damaging common idea that, once aroused, men become an unstoppable force that it would be rude - even immoral - to try to stop.
Published: 16 September 2002 | Written by Holly Combe
Response to 'Whose Slut?'
Natasha Forrest's article "Whose Slut?" in The F-Word in July prompted many responses - probably the most on one specific article this site has ever had. Here are the comments received and below, Natasha responds.
Published: 16 August 2002 | Written by Various Authors
Whose Slut?
The female body has always been associated with sex, ensuring that even straight women find images of women sexy. Natasha Forrest explains why censorship is not the answer and how objectification is not necessarily a bad thing.
Published: 16 July 2002 | Written by Natasha Forrest
Big Brother, Virgins, and Female Singleness
Kristin Aune looks at society's attitudes to virginity and celibacy.
Published: 16 June 2002 | Written by Kristin Aune
Pornography
Rearrange the words "worms", "can", and "of" into a well known phrase or saying...
Published: 16 January 2002 | Written by Catherine Redfern
Why Irma Kurtz is wrong about rape
In the June 2001 issue of British Cosmopolitan, the agony aunt Irma Kurtz replied to a reader's letter about rape. I think Irma's advice was irresponsible, insensitive, and re-iterates all the old myths about rape that we have tried so hard to break down over 30 years of feminism.
Published: 13 July 2001 | Written by Catherine Redfern
The Morning After
In January Baroness Young tried to stop emergency contraception being sold over the counter in chemists. Here's why the House of Lords were right to reject her arguments, says Catherine Redfern.
Published: 18 March 2001 | Written by Catherine Redfern

