[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Have the women who are part of the discussion today been oppressed by the men who are part of the discussion today for millenia? This part always confuses me; this idea that "women" and "men" are some sort of cohesive sentient entity with a memory stretching back beyond the lifespan of the individual. It doesn't really make sense.

That's not to say the millenia of oppression doesn't still affect society today; it does in many ways and that's something that society as a whole needs to address. But the fact is, many (most) of the men who are part of the discussion today have never oppressed anyone in any way, and so the idea that they should be excluded from the discussion of achieving equality is ludicrous and entirely misses the point. Of course men shouldn't lead or dominate the discussion, but nor should women lead or dominate the discussion... And anyone who thinks they should, frankly, is not seeking equality.

Clearly we have come a very long way although still some parts of the world have not and are a reminder of what life would have been like for a woman years ago.

But it's almost like some peoples attitudes are, well you can vote and drive now so shut up. Women face sexism and are treated like we are less than men every bloody day, alot of men do this, probably without even realising most of the time, going to buy a car and the salesman speaks to your husband rather than you eventhough you're the one buying the car, always being asked to make the coffee over male co-workers, as a teenager being warned against having boyfriends when boys your age are encouraged and lauded for the same thing, the list goes on. It's so ingrained in peoples heads they don't even realise they're doing it most of the time and these examples seem small and stupid but they all add up and over time are so ****ing belittling and infuriating. Maybe you've never done any of those things which is great but that doesn't mean they don't happen everyday.