Besotted with boys...

I remember finding an article some years ago while flicking through my mother's copy of "Good Housekeeping", (not sure that's a feminist read!) The article was called something like "The love affair which can never end in marriage..." and showed pictures of women with their young/teenage sons. "Ugh, wierd!" I thought and flicked on.

A Women's Liberation Movement Woman

Judith Viorst

My Dad gave me a book of poetry called "It's Hard to Be Hip Over Thirty" for my 30th birthday. I thought it was a rather depressing gift (I may have been feeling a little sensitive as it was only 10 days after the arrival of baby number 2!). The other day he told me to have another look and, considering the context is 1960s New York, a lot of it rings true. Here is a very apt poem from the collection.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5: The "So, d'you think you'll have another?" question

About a week after giving birth, you are lying on the sofa, an exhausted wreck. You are cradling the new little alien who has arrived to transform your life, to the extent that you barely recognise yourself in the mirror...and already, some visitor or other is asking whether you are planning on adding further to your family! This might be expected first time around, but, for me, it's been even more of a hot topic of conversation after the second.

Is it ever OK to be financially dependent on a man?

In my feminist mother's opinion, the answer is an emphatic "no", you should never give up your independence. For a woman to support a man for a period of time, however, maybe to pursue further training or something worthwhile, is uber feminist and kickass.

Hmmm, unfair maybe?

Yep, this poster speaks to me...

(Taken from What My Friends Think I do)

Reclaiming pink

I clearly remember as the young daughter of feminist parents not being allowed to wear the colour pink. It was check shirts and khaki shorts to the point that when I finally got a pair of pink trousers aged 4, they stick out in my memory as a wardrobe landmark. Now, I confess, I let my daughter wear pink without much complaint. The colour suits her, she is not obsessed with it (as I was!) and will often choose other colours but it is definitely a favourite. I still feel that there is a bit of a feminist taboo over pink though. If your female child is dressed head to toe in pink, you clearly don't believe in equality for women and probably want her to grow up a prissy madam who doesn't like getting wet. A boy dressed head to toe in pink must be the child of extremely liberal parents or from somewhere far away.

Feminism now and that elusive work/life balance

As the daughter of feminists, I'm interested in how we, the next generation of mothers, are choosing to bring up our children. Was "having it all" everything it was cracked to be? Is pink so evil? Will we pursue the same ideals and lifestyle choices or are we doing things differently?

Feminist mum reflections and dilemmas...!

1. Is it inevitable that maternity leave transforms you from a competent professional into an inept 50s housewife? Complete with scuzzy house and children who refuse to eat or sleep...or is that just me?

2. How much pink is too much pink? Does it matter??