Yet another article written by a presumably intelligent writer who extols the virtue of women acting dumb, dumb and dumber.

Is this part of a plot by female academics such as Catherine Lumby to keep other women forever subordinate?

Does Ms Funnell expect women to be something other than trophies in stilletos, commodities or sexualised objects for the gratification of men?

Why not write in praise of educated women?

I note too, that we women are still "baring" the children.

"In recent years much column space has been reserved for discussing young women and their increasingly drunken, bawdy and sometimes violent behaviour. But according to academic Catharine Lumby, underpinning the concern that young women are out of control is a series of problematic beliefs and assumptions regarding class, gender and power."

Much column space has been reserved for the global financial crisis. But according to me, underpinning the concern that the market is out of control is my shrinking super and fear of unemployment.

So friggin' what that every writer's motivation isn't identical, dispassionate, and reflective of pure altruism? It's a valid topic and affects everyone.

Personally I prefer ladies to be ladies. They're much nicer when they can converse without swearing, drink without belching, and socialise without acting like a trollop.

'They also swear, smoke and have sex. Without question these women exhibit ladette qualities.'

I am sure that Shayne Warne also displays gentlemen qualities. Wouldn't you love to take one of these 'ladies' home to meet your mum.

I know many men would like one of these ladies for a night and then find someone who is faithful, hasn't got a foul mouth and does not make an idiot on oneself because of drink or drugs to marry. Who is the author trying to convince?

Ahh some funny comments. I always get a chuckle out of 'sexualising' and 'objectifying'. It's as if women have no sexuality, and if you ever are attracted to a women, you are objectifying them. Then we have that old classic that educated women cant possibly also be sexy good time girls.

I'm on your side Nina! The inevitible result of the feminist movement was for women to become more equal to men. Yes that means getting drunk and casual sex and swearing and all sorts of things.

Somehow I think people have their head in the sand and think if you give women the same freedoms as men, they will somehow, being women, still not abuse power, not ever be shallow or free with their bodies, not ever express themselves in every way imaginable.

'Still considered the “fairer” sex, women continue to bare the responsibility for upholding moral standards on behalf of the community.'

Exactly! But I think in the eyes of the feminist, this comes as a great surprise to find that women aren't inherantly more civilised and virtuous than men. They WERE the "fairer" sex in many many regards, only because of pressure to conform and behave to a higher standard than men. Take away the pressure, and shock horror, women exhibit so called 'male' behaviours.

'They would take great offence at the suggestion that they have been unthinkingly duped or coerced into their current lifestyles.'

Hooray. Good on them. Nobody's victims and taking responsibility for their actions rather than blaming the media or the patriachy.

Houellebecq-I agree entirely with your post that women are not acting as victims but as free agents. A lot of this went on back in stricter moral times it was just kept hidden.
My Dad was at one time an insurance salesman back in the earlier quarter of the 19th century and he said what he saw going on when the husbands left the house was a real eye opener for him. This was in a time before the contraceptive pill he often says with amazement.