Feminism | Posted by Laura H on 04/2/2010

The War Against Teen Moms

I’ve always thought us young women are pretty lucky in the UK. As oppressive, patriarchal societies go, I’d say the one we enjoy is relatively mild. Legal abortions (though only up to 24 weeks and if two doctors agree), access to contraception, comprehensive sex education. Compared to a lot of places I could name, we’re got it quite good.

But yet, of course, there’s always the threat that all this could come crashing down around us. And when that’s in danger of happening we have to strike back. Fast. Because heaven knows we recognise how fragile what we have is.

Recently, the Daily Mail broke the story that Tory MP Tim Loughton, Shadow Children’s Minister, who has spoken out about his desire to prosecute underage teens who are sexually active. …

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Pop-Culture | Posted by Julie Z on 08/31/2009

(500) Days of Summer is revenge disguised as a cute, indie movie

I enjoyed (500) Days of Summer. It had its moments despite the fact that the entire film was essentially an extended explanation for the writer’s hatred of one woman, because she was crazy enough not to feel the same way about him as he did about her. Yes – a woman who makes herself clear in that she has no intention of making a relationship serious and doesn’t want to use labels is made out to be a bitch, because she resists the guy forcing these things on her. Which is really just lovely when you think about it. 

Interestingly enough when I talked to my friends about how I thought the movie had some underlying girl hate, they all countered that it was feminist in that for once the …

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