I need feminism because...

eviltwin wrote: »

It's very minor but today out in the playground with my son I've heard two mothers talk to their daughters in a sexist manner. One telling her daughter not to climb on a climbing frame because she is not a boy and another telling her son who was playing football that he can get a goal past his sister because she is just a girl. Can these people even hear themselves?

On that note, I was just walking up to my apartment and I saw an adorable little girl with bright blue framed glasses, baseball cap and backpack coming against me. I "D'aaawed" and it took me a few seconds to think why I was so happy seeing it. Bright blue framed glasses? Eff you gender roles! **** yeah!

And it made me think. We've had talk about adorable little people (toddlers and young kids) with glasses in the forum the past few days... Is the adorable bespectacled child look a typically male thing? I know I've certainly heard parents lamenting their little girl having to get glasses because it would upset her cuteness, but little boys with glasses are generally seen as adorable or cute. Or is this just me?

I never found glasses adorable or cute or the opposite. They are just glasses. Some suit you and some don't. For me it wouldn't be about cutness. You are never happy as parent thst your child needs some sort of an aid. And with mine I would actually worry how to keep glasses on their noses. And I really can't see any difference in what gender is the child or adult. Frankly if I would hear parent fretting that their child will be less cute with glasses I would think to myself what an idiot. Maybe I am a bit clueless but I really didn't think that was a gender issue.

Confused Cats Against Feminism

A new Tumblr blog called "Confused Cats Against Feminism" is making the viral rounds this week as thousands continue to rile against a growing contingent of vocal anti-feminists online.

"Hey, cats need a place where they can post pictures of themselves holding signs denouncing feminism for assorted weird reasons that don't seem to have anything to do with what feminism is actually about," reads the site's about section, taking a not-so-subtle shot at the "Women Against Feminism" movement.

I think a lot of the negative feelings toward feminism are coming about because a small proportion of women have forgotten that Feminism is about equality and choice and have taken it to extremes of man-hating such as claiming that all penetrative sex is rape, or attacking women who choose to be stay-at-home parents.

SueBoom wrote: »

It's only a minor thing and I'm sure I'm in the minority of people who were unaware this was happening but the fact that it's not uncommon for companies to have a rule that women must at all times where high heels. I see in hindsight it was naive of me to think times were well past this kind of bullshiit. It baffles me though, both that companies have the balls to enforce this as a RULE and that many women willingly participate. I don't think I'd be so willing if put in that position.

TBH I'd be straight on to my doctor to give me a note excusing me from wearing heels. See how they react to that.

I've never seen the requirement - but as a software developer I'm not customer facing, and generally end up looking more dressy than men I work with by wearing a well-fitting t-shirt, jeans and Converse! :pac:

I couldn't do it. I don't find heels comfortable at all and it would just be a distraction to me all day.

fits wrote: »

What companies??? I would hit the roof!

I'm guessing, but the likes of banking or air hostess would come to mind.

SueBoom wrote: »

It's only a minor thing and I'm sure I'm in the minority of people who were unaware this was happening but the fact that it's not uncommon for companies to have a rule that women must at all times where high heels. I see in hindsight it was naive of me to think times were well past this kind of bullshiit. It baffles me though, both that companies have the balls to enforce this as a RULE and that many women willingly participate. I don't think I'd be so willing if put in that position.

It really depends on the company and the industry. When I worked in hospitality, anyone in sales or front of house (concierge, front desk,bellmen etc) had a certain dress code that was much more formal than back of house people like housekeeping, maintenance, cooks, etc. I think it was some point in the 90s when they changed the code so the women could wear pantsuits, but you needed at least a one inch heel on your shoes.

Only rings allowed were wedding/engagement rings, only one set of ear rings, if it was a hoop it could not be larger than a 1 euro coin, no other piercings or tatoos. Nails had to either polish free or a "classic" pink or red. Suits had to be matching, bottom and coat same color, same fabric. If wearing a skirt, nylons were mandatory. No open toes or slingback heels.

I actually got in trouble with the General Manager one day and had to go buy new shoes since I had on wedges (really nice ones) instead of a classic heel. Luckily one of the managers took pity on me (since only option nearby was Bloomingdales, very expensive) and she paid for the new shoes.

However, this was known during interview and hiring. It was a 5 star hotel with rooms costing over 500/night. It was part of the image of the hotel, so I knew full well what I was getting into. I don't think it is per say a feminism issue, unless the men can wear whatever they want. In our hotel, the men's standards of grooming were just as strict in regards to fit of pants, grooming, etc.