Come back feminism, all is forgiven? After years of slagging off the F-word,
social commentators have woken up to the fact that teenage girls are
adopting usernames such as “slut” and “whore” on social networking websites.
They're boasting about being good at sex acts, putting themselves at risk
from predatory older men and paedophiles, and one expert is suggesting -
hold your breath - that feminism should be taught in schools: a
“reinvigorated” feminism that is designed to appeal to young women who have
never heard of The Female Eunuch but need something to counter the
relentlessly sexual messages of popular culture.
Cue cries of outrage from assorted misogynists, but Dr Jessica Ringrose has a
point. I would say that, of course, being one of those Seventies radicals
who has never, ever, felt ashamed of calling herself a feminist. But the
research of Dr Ringrose - who works at the Institute of Education in London
and whose conclusions have just appeared in the Times Educational Supplement
- could hardly be more timely, coming at a moment when there is growing
anxiety about the sexualisation of girls and women. Schoolgirls, she says,
increasingly link their personal worth to being sexually attractive. She is
calling for young women to be offered alternative role models to the
ubiquitous celebrities - such as Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Christina
Aguilera - who embody the must-have look for young women in the 21st
century.
So far, so good, and I wouldn't quarrel with Dr Ringrose's assertion that
teenage girls are being encouraged to define themselves through their bodies
- by, in her words, “being thin, having fake boobs”. For women of my
generation, the misogynist message of this body shape could hardly be more
obvious, but few teenage girls stop to ask why they are being encouraged to
look like boys with breasts.
I'm not sure, though, that the alternative role models Dr Ringrose suggests
will mean much to the girls who have grown up with MTV and YouTube. Much as
I admire Emmeline Pankhurst and Virginia Woolf, I assume I'll have to
explain who they are if I mention them to my goddaughters. Pankhurst, Woolf,
Marie Stopes and other feminists active in the first half of the 20th
century belong to a different world, even if they would recognise some
contemporary concerns - for instance, the scandalous fact, reinforced this
week in a study by the Office of National Statistics, that women still have
not achieved equal pay.
That was a big issue in the Seventies, but far from the only one. We didn't
want to be like our mothers and grandmothers, and I can't remember a moment
when I wasn't a feminist. By the time I was 14 I scorned anyone who told me
that girls couldn't do something. I argued for the right not to have
children, which seemed to shock people no end. Looking back, I'm amazed at
how much we achieved - many feminist ideas, such as the right to maternity
leave, have become mainstream - but I'm also horrified by the casual
misogyny of 21st-century life. Since my book, Misogynies, was first
published in 1989, it has got much worse.
But 21st-century politicians don't use the vocabulary of their 20th-century
forebears, and feminism needs to reinvent itself as much as any other
political movement. It needs to address teenage girls in a modern language
that doesn't reinforce the worst stereotypes about feminism; I still come
across diatribes which suggest that all Seventies feminists were man-haters
who wore dungarees. Using a radical fringe to discredit an entire movement
is the oldest trick in the book, but you can't expect 16-year-olds to
recognise it, any more than you can expect them to have read The Hite Report
on Female Sexuality - by one of feminism's most beautiful and stylish
activists.
Indeed, I worry that there has been a generational slip - that a generation of
teenage girls has missed out on feminist ideas and is having to deal with an
increasingly exploitative culture without the tools to look beyond the
surface glitter. Few of them realise, when they jokingly call themselves
“sluts” and “whores”, that they are using male words that have always
reflected contempt for women. It may be cool to talk about “hos” and
“bitches”, using a vocabulary lifted from rap music, but I'm not surprised
to discover from Dr Ringrose's research that teenage girls still fret about
being seen as “slutty” if they go “too far” sexually.
That's the trouble with this kind of faux-liberation. I've seen it all before,
as have most women of my generation. But it's no good talking to teenage
girls about objectification and patriarchy when they have grown up with the
casual vocabulary of teen magazines and the internet. In fact, I'd go
farther than Dr Ringrose and argue that it's no good teaching feminism only
to girls when their male contemporaries are just as vulnerable to the
ghastly messages of lads' culture.
We need feminism more than ever, not just to address all the myths that have
grown up - we're still a long way from living in an equal society, despite
girls' much-vaunted success over boys in exams - but to counter the
pervasive influence of the commercial sex industry on young women. The stage
costumes of female stars, from Kylie Minogue to Aguilera and Spears are an
obvious example.
Schoolgirls who choose usernames like “freesex” in chatrooms need to realise
that they have been conned into thinking that such behaviour is harmless.
They have also been bombarded with messages that pole-dancing is good, clean
fun, encouraged by female celebrities who show off about visiting clubs with
their boyfriends. I mean, why not pay your way through college by
pole-dancing in the evenings? No one tells teenage girls about the rise in
sex crimes in neighbourhoods where pole-dancing clubs operate, or the
pressures on young women who work in them to have sex with customers.
Teenage girls can find out about the suffragettes for themselves, if they are
interested, but a new version of feminism should offer a lot more than
history lessons. It has rarely used the language of human rights, but that's
what feminism is really about, and it's by linking it with those ideas that
feminism can be made modern and up-to-date. One of my goddaughters recently
became the secretary of the Amnesty International branch at her university,
and teenagers and young adults are used to seeing pictures on TV and the
internet of orange-robed monks defying Chinese troops.
Sex - currently one of the biggest illegal businesses in the world - is just
as much a human rights issue, a fact that becomes apparent as soon as
someone explains to teenagers that girls as young as 14 are being lured to
work in bars and restaurants in the UK, only to find themselves locked up in
flats and forced to have sex with hundreds of men.
If sex-traffickers habitually abuse women as “whores” and “sluts”, what does
that say about teenagers who use the same language on social networking
sites? Do they really want to behave like men who so obviously despise
women? What do they think about boys just a bit older than themselves who
pay for sex with prostitutes? There needs to be a moral code which would
allow teenagers to explore sex on terms which aren't degrading to themselves
and their friends.
Women's studies has gone out of fashion as a subject at universities, so let's
start dealing with these questions in schools, as Dr Ringrose suggests.
Young women need to know that there's nothing wrong with liking clothes,
shoes and boys (or other girls), but they're also in urgent need of a
language and ethics that allow them to be themselves. That's what feminism
did for me, and I long to see the next generation of young women freed from
incessant demands to turn themselves into the self-hating Barbie Dolls of
the commercial sex industry.
Hate to say it, but as a girl of sixteen, we don't actually worry about being seen as 'slutty' so much but more as frigid. And due to media, we are eager to have sex. And when we do, its good, we like it. That's life. It's all we've been taught, it's all we know.
Cara, Kingston, England
Doing gender studies at college was one of the best things in my life and opened my mind up .
Sad it is declining in importance and that very few people talk about gender roles and equality. Feminism ( + humanism) were the most human ,intelligent products of western culture , benefiting everyone
colin, bristol, uk
Sarah - well , I am a man and agree entirely with liberal feminism in it's assertion of rights, equality and uncovering how patriarchy operates , subtly as well as brutally , to abuse humankind . It also liberates men , who benefit enormously by being freed from gender roles and objectification
thomas, bristol, uk
"We need feminism more than ever"
We have never 'needed feminism'. Feminism is marxism/communism repackaged and just like the soviet union it has done enormous dam age to our western society. Feminism is 'dead woman walking'. MEN will destroy this intellectually bankrupt ideaology.
Peter, Dublin, Ireland
"I’ve always thought since I was young I can work if I choose in whatever industry I choose"
oh yeah, cat, wait til you have kids and then tell us if you're still equal. Think you'll still have the same career opportunities? Think you'll have an egalitarian relationship? Keep dreaming...
Anthea Parry, Melbourne, Australia
Parenting, particularly Paternal care and love is so important. Unfortunately for many young girls and women, a lack of traditional male support can leave a void. And as they seek male love and attention, they are fooled into believing that by acting "sexy" they will get that love they crave.
D Layne, Arima, Trinidad & Tobago
Parents need to take responsibility for their daughters and not just expect a school course to raise their kids. If mothers talked to their daughters about feminism and sexuality, and steer clear of oversexed trends such as "Bratz" dolls or Miley Cirus, maybe girls will develop better role models.
Tanya, New York, USA
I also don't believe that Barbie is so bad for girls. I'm a feminist, and I look back fondly to my youth playing with Barbies. I had a doctor Barbie, Astronaut, Gymnast, even a McDonalds - worker Barbie. She also had a Corvette, Porche, dream house, all without marrying Ken. Go Barbie!
Tanya, New York, USA
Excellent article.
Chloe, Liverpool, UK
Flo, Brighton. If "threatened men" make you feel "empowered" you've got issues. As for the article, if girls make dumb choices it's their responsibility but frankly, who cares? Loads of people, male and female, are dumb and lazy, life goes on.
Doug Bates, St. Albans,
No -ism should be taught in schools.
Amy Allen, London,
I'm impressed by some of the ignorance on here as to what feminism actually is. Are you aware there are many different theories and ideas which can be lumped under the term feminsim? Do some reading before you start complaining please.
Eli, Brighton,
Brilliant article & one I wholeheartedly agree with. To the female anti-feminists: I presume you'll be giving up your job/degree tomorrow then, along with the right to vote? To the anti-feminist men: why so scared of giving women true equality? I am a feminist - deal with it or get out of my way.
Natasha, Kent,
Yes, feminism should be taught in schools, as should the effects of bullying, in the context of global economics, politics, social justice and human rights, geared to age groups of both sexes. Young girls act like this because they don't know any better and their critical thinking is undeveloped.
Vivie, London,
It's no wonder girls get the wrong idea about their bodies being a commodity. Even as I read this article onine there is an advert alongside it featuring a naked woman surrounded by water bottles. To advertise an article on the dangers of detox. Is the naked woman relevant? I think not.
Sarah, Bristol, UK
I whole-heartedly agree with teaching feminism in schools, and the younger the better. Feminism is about equality and to me it seems like overt male dominance has just been replaced by indoctrinated misogyny. However, preachiness must be avoided or it'll just drive girls away further.
Alex, Kettering, UK
The trouble is that teenage girls have a quick route to popularity with boys: short skirts, show more breast and say "yes". Sexual liberation opens up that route. The result is that 50 years of feminism has made the world more obsessed with female looks than ever. Ironic.
Michael, London,
Glad to see all the misogynist guys on here feeling threatened, cos it just go to show how powerful you fear us feminists to be. Now I'm feeling all empowered, thanks for that guys!
Flo, Brighton,
Wasn't the slogan « My body belongs to me » a feminist slogan ? If so, why lament if young girls do what they want with their body ?
Corriveau, Quebec, Canada
Joan Smith misses the point. Following her line of thinking school courses in feminism should be matched by similar arrangements for masculinism.
Much better surely to have courses in respect and self discipline for all, so that all young people can adjust better to the life they are learning.
Bryan, Walton on Thames, UK
Great article. I wonder what Nancy Friday would have to say about it all.
L., Chicago, USA
A Taylor. Men (in the UK) have given women the power that they currently enjoy. Men in many parts of the world haven't.
Men (in the UK) didn't have to give women this power. They could have chosen to keep women as virtual slaves as in other parts of the world.
MR David, York, UK
Just read the article and to get to this page, I was subjected to these headlines: Fashion: what to wear next season
Beauty: Top 25 body care products
Fashion: what to wear to university
Beauty: will cosmetic medicine make you look younger? Perhaps the first change should take place in the media.
Jane Osmond, Coventry, West Midlands
A Taylor. Are you really surprised when men react badly to being discriminated against for being men ? How do you think leaders of the less liberal countries view the way the feminists have stabbed men in the back in the UK ? Do you think that it will help women in these countries ?
MR David, York, UK
I find it very interesting that people (frequently men but women too) are so quick to call feminists irrational 'man-haters' but fail to see how 'woman-hating' has been a cornerstone of societies for hundreds of years. Why the hell shouldn't women be angry about the way that we have been treated?
Alison, Manchester, UK
Funny how the search for love over time turned into the hunt for sex. Teaching love and self-respect works far better than lecturing on feminism -- it's lack of basic values that are missing, not equality.
Roswhita, London,
As a student, the feminists I had the displeasure of meeting were all from well-to-do middle-class private school educated socio-economic backgrounds. As a working-class male with a state school education, I always found these middle-class feminists' claims of 'oppression' by men to be risible.
Paul, Coventry,
When your definition of "equality" is men dominating women in some fashion, then standing beside looks like oppression (of men). Girls think the "privilege" of being a prostitute is "equality".
Do I think this trend will change? no... read the comments of the men in this thread.
Kathleen, chicago,
I completely agree with the writer, on all of her points.
Maybe that's because I am a 40 year old woman and understand the struggles that have been made in order for them to be thrown away by young girls who think all that is required of them is to be good in bed with as many men as possible.
kim, london,
Feminism has hijacked equal rights for women. They are not the same thing. The sufragettes were not feminists. Feminism was an extremist ideology of man-hating that orginated in the 60s. These early feminists were not attractive and this was the cause of their anger. Feminism brainwashes women.
peter, London,
Sadly feminism seems to be one of the core subjects columnists write on when they have run out of new ideas. The reality is that the present generation of teenagers recognises that the thinking is flawed and indeed has contributed to many of today's ills.They don't wish to be genetically modified.
J Feldman, Chippenham, England
I believe in equality but feminists despise humanity and prefer victims. They started the sex liberation which now victimised young girls. They devalue humans who refuse to comply with their politically correct bigotry. Yes to equality but NO to feminism.
Carolyn, Surbiton,
Here we go again - special pleading from a completely bankrupt movement i.e. feminism. The argument that 'reasonable feminism' rules the roost is also complete and utter tosh. Harriet Harman IS a radical feminist and she is not alone in this government. Down with this VICTIMIST self serving drivel!
Phil Lewis, Old Colwyn, UK
Equal representation under the law; the vote; to hold assets in one’s own name; equal opportunities; right to divorce; prosecution of rapists, domestic abusers and pimps; employment rights; right to education; contraception and family planning rights: all the outcome of feminism. More to do.
A Taylor, Warks.,
Calling misogynists: Do they have museums where you live?
DO YOU LIVE IN ONE?
Funny how those who have the most to lose from gender equality lament it the most.
I wonder if you would decry equality between races in the same way. A double standard indeed: I am sure your daughters are proud.
A Taylor, Leamington Spa,
Feminism's merits aside, Ringrose's response is weird. Girl's aren't all right, so teach feminism in school. Or give them happiness lessons, or teach kids about the housing market (all real suggestions). But does anyone think that the kids will actually listen? "Teach it in school" is no panacea.
Ben, Hitchin, Herts,
I’ve just turned 20 and I’m sorry but who are you to tell me how ‘we young’ women think. We are grateful to the older generation for paving our way. I’ve always thought since I was young I can work if I choose in whatever industry I choose. We’ve grown up with this idea has the norm. I think the main problem is with my generation is, they look to Jodie march and Paris Hilton as role models. This is the media fault because they cannot or will not report or interview inspiring women. Maybe Suger, Shout and other teenage magazine could benefit the younger generation by interviewing and profiling women who are at top of their game. Like top city girls, designers, PR exects or even journalists.
Cat , London ,
Good article, both men and women would benefit from learning to value themselves for more than image and sexuality. Women control the female media industry that sexualises young girls. Its a mistake to see this as an issue of gender, its not, its an issue of self respect.
patrick, london, uk
Finally an article which adresses the very real aggressive attitude of some men towards women and feminism. It is vital that young men, as well as girls, be taught about human rights as equality in the political, social, and private spheres of life - particularly family planning.
Amelia, London, UK
Both sexes have self-esteem issues today. That is the core of the problem. However, it must be realised that between assertion and aggression; confidence and arrogance lies a very thin line. It is encouraging self-worth that will solve these cultural issues. Feminsim is not the solution.
Alex, Cardiff , UK
i can't see it going anywhere in the classroom apart from over sniggering boys' heads and straight through the ears of girls trying to impress them. the morality involved in feminism should be introduced at home, and it can spread from there. buy your kids a C.R.A.S.S lp!
adam, reading, uk
the desenzitisation of words like 'slut' and 'whore' which young women will throw about among themselves seems simple enough. are they not just taking the sting out of these expressions in self-defence? but is that not falling into the trap and taking a step backwards in terms of their feminine ID?
MB.K, London,
I'm 26 and it is shocking that girls' role models are now dim blond nickerless young women with no career aspiration.
Worst when I hear that mums must stay at home and give up careers. Not working means they financially depend on the goodwill of their husbands: it's a step back to 60 years ago!!
camille, york, UK
The problem for feminists is that these celebrities are enjoying the power that feminists told them they could have. these girls are promiscuous, pole dance or whatever because they choose to. If you empower people with the right of choice you can't complain about how they use it.
Alex, hereford ,
I notice most of the men resonding are antifeminist. Obviously it is their interests to keep us down. The only decent prime minister we've had in the UK in last century was a women. I hope we find another like her.
Penelope, London,
The F word has become very much taboo, even in universities. After being taught by staunch Feminists at school, I was shocked when I started uni (7 yrs ago) to find myself in a minority who declared themselves Feminists. It has been grossly misrepresented. Fourth-wave urgently needed!!!
Ella, London,
Many comments here criticise any form of criticism of feminism. There are many social theories but few try to silence the opposition like femisists do. They come out with, oh you are women haters 'mysoginists' (word made up for propaganda). Men hate BIGOTED narrow minded feminists, not REAL WOMEN.
Nick, York, England
Great article and judging from some of the comments, men also need an education in how to treat women as, shock horror, human beings instead of disposable objects. Perhaps we could have Men's Studies to find out why so many of them have such abhorrent women-hating views.
Emma, Southampton, UK
Young women defining themselves in sexual terms is not solely the fault of men or the media: too often we criticise young people and don't recognise their successes so teenagers (male and female), look for approval by making sexual boasts as they don't get recognition for their other achievements
Craig, Chichester, UK
Ironically next to this ariticle, there is an advertisement for Style magazine with a half naked woman and the slogan ‘is detox safe?’. Until the media and the fashion industry are more responsible with the way women our portrayed, teenagers will be tricked into being used for their bodies.
Bianca, London, U.K
Todays generation of girls has broken free from the oppression of feminism which ultimately filled the gap left by male domination of the female, and simply did the same... tthrough for instance the criticism of women who didnt follow the feminist ideology.
Todays generation follow their own rules
Swilly, London, UK
"Wimmin" want equality right up the point where they have to get their hands dirty in my experience. Men are fed up with picking up the slack at work. Feminism has done nothing but make women of child bearing age unemployable due to their huge raft of rights not open to men. Well done sisters..
Tony the Trader, Canary Wharf,
Feminists have sought to redress the power inbalance between men and women but have failed. This naive ideology like other ideologies was built on the wrong foundations & betrayed from within in - should feminism be built again, natural alpha females who might scam/help it are worth identifying.
kevin, Lincoln, UK
You can't teach feminism - you have to live it. Equality can't be ordered or legislated for it has to be lived and practised. Live and work as equals, respect each other as equals, share the family income equally and yes- do cover up. The Hiltons of this world are not feminists, they are prostitutes
Charlotte, London,
these last few comments illustrate that men still do and will always hate women.
sarah, york, uk
Most people my age know that feminism was never about equality - it was about ugly women wanting to be treated the same as attractive women.
ed Blue, Sydney, Australia
How sad that the only men who have responded to this article so far have done so with a bind, aggressive contempt for its message. Their responses appear to be based on predjudice against 'feminism' and its stereotype, instead of any understanding of the modern problems that women face.
Harriet, Bath, UK
Really good article. Definitely should be taught to both boys and girls though!
Occasionally I wonder if feminism is no longer needed, then I read some of the astoundingly mysogynistic comments (often on TOL...) and remember why it's still needed and has much yet to do!
Kate, Sydney, Australia
Excellent article - young women see themselves far more through the eyes of men than the 1960s-70s generation. They are wasting the freedoms which were won in the 20th century and they should be taught about this or they will lose them. Surprise! All the antis here are men - talk about apartheid!
Sarah Iredale, Battle, UK
You *know* that an ideology is finished when those who benefit from it - such as a 'feminist author' - start bleating about it being necessary to ram it down the throats of the young in school.
Roger Angove, Truro, Cornwall, UK
Feminism is morally bankrupt. The media will never stop pushing it, but its devastation is evident to all, especially the young. We need a world where we build our lives on foundations of integrity, honesty, justice, mutual respect and love, not on foundations of self, sexuality and power.
Richard, Bow, New Hampshire, USA
Feminism has the same intellectual basis, and the same operational dynamics, as Apartheid; a political movement it closely resembles.
Its effect over the last 30-40 years has been to turn the great majority of Western women into worker-drones; only the elite benefit - like Apartheid.
chris neame, London, UK
Drivel. Feminism has a similar intellectual base and operational dynamics to Apartheid, which it closely resembles. Its main effect has been to turn most women in the West into worker-drones. Only elite women benefit in wealth, lifestyle and indulging their sexual appetites freely.
chris neame, London, UK
Good aritcle. What needs to be taught are self respect, healthy self esteem, self love & appreciation, and focus on what one makes of oneself and not to receive validation from others, especially through sexual means. Sexual abuse is rampant & is sadly labled sexual "liberation." It is degrading.
Katherine, Central Virginia, USA
Young women have indeed been brainwashed into thinking that sex is power. The problem is that feminists themselves are the ones who have been doing the brainwashing.
Heather Czerniak, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Right on target! The backlash against the Feminist Revolution has found a permanent place in the mass media, particularly TV and the Internet. Young women are conditioned to think that having casual sex is a sign of equality. And displaying their sexuality a sign of liberation. A scary business.
nancy WILLIAMS, BISBEE, United States
Yes! great article and I agree that something needs to be done to help teenagers lift their heads above the bombardment of sexual imagery and language, attitude and behaviour that is causing so much harm and distress.
This is NOT sexual liberation but the abusive sexualisation of young women
R., Paris, france