Why do you think?

Question

Why are women and feminists on this board expected to answer for all other women and all other feminists?

The_Music: I'm not asking anyone to answer for anything. If you read it that way, you should wonder why it made you feel defensive.

Answer 1

Because they assume that feminists are advocates for all women. We tried that, but there are women who don't want us to represent them, so we're leaving them alone.

Answer 2

Feminism has a very clear and unambiguous definition.

Based on that, there should be agreement in what feminists' objectives and beliefs are.

Thus, it should not be considered unreasonable to to assume that the answer would be very consistent from feminist to feminist. Except for *how* to achieve those objectives.

On the other hand, if an "asker" is asking a "why do women. . ?" question, s/he is probably wanting to understand the viewpoint from a variety of women, otherwise s/he would simply email one person.

EDIT:

Wendy: True. But, I would recommend to simply ignore the non-questions, though I know it's hard to resist sometimes. I take the bait all too often.

I don't think I'm completely alone, but I have been criticized by one of my employees and my business partner as being "Mr. Neutral Switzerland." I usually end up on no one's side since I try to see both. That's also how I score on those personality tests.

EDIT:

Wendy, last thought:

You must also admit that it goes both ways. Some of the women's questions are just as ranting and insulting, looking for concurrence and serving as squirming bait. I guess it can be fun for some.

Answer 3

Because the board is sometimes imagined as a site of feminist politics, rather than a site to discuss women's lives and opportunities. Sadly, those two things can sometimes be very different.

Answer 4

People like to generalize, so if one woman said it some very closed minded people would assume all or most women have the same opinion.
I don't try to speak for all women, feminists, or any other category I may fit into. I hope people remember that.

Answer 5

I agree with what Carrie said, and would like to add that a lot of the guys that come here asking those "Women: Why do you...(fill in sexist generalization)" questions have probably just gotten into an argument with their wife or girlfriend, or were written up by their female boss, or rejected by the girl at the bar, but would NEVER have the guts to say such a thing to anyone without the safety of the computer screen, so they come here and vent. Most of them don't really want answers to their "questions" anyway, they just want to insult women.

And Steve, you must admit that a lot of questions posed in that framework are nothing but insults in disguise (although, not "disguised" very well). And they DON'T want real answers. That is not to say that aren't some guys, like you, on this board who know how to be respectful, and are truly seeking answers, but you must admit, there aren't too many of you.

Answer 6

Why do you expect us to answer for the all the other people that use this board?

EDIT: LOL. Defensive! HAHAHAHAHA I just took your questioned then changed the nouns! It's called satire! Lighten up! Laugh a little!

By the way, you asked why people use generalizations, then you used generalizations to make those generalizations. I was just poking a little harmless fun at that. I'm not sure how you concluded I was defensive. ROFL.

Answer 7

It's because we are as close as most guys on this board ever get to a Real Live Woman.
They've gotta get their answers and run!
Good luck

Answer 8

Feminists answer for feminists.
Women answer for women.

Then you make stereotypes about what each one is and make exceptions for the ones that don't fit the stereotype.

This is how life works.

Answer 9

This section is full of old spent women like Croa, Lotus and Dredrei. With nothing better to do, they make themselves a nice little elitest community to blame all of their failures on men.

On the upside, my life has no where to go but up from here, while they will soon hit menopause (if they are not already at that state) and will become completely useless to their husbands. I would have pity for them, but I know they wouldn't accept it.

Let us all hope their children don't take after them, and that their lifes mistakes are rendered harmless with their passing.

Answer 10

Well I like answering questions ... I like asking questions too ... basically, I like having converstions, debates, and singing to you all. Why us ... well, 'cause we're here ;o)