pelican, "How does this photoshoot supposedly assit with promoting young women's self esteem? "

That has been answered but the answer is not acceptable to the fundys, both religious and radical feminist, who have tried unsuccessfully to get some traction to expand on their own irrational, unscientific beliefs. Kate Ellis is a worthy model for all young aspiring young people, not just young women, so why try to pull her down?

Cornflower

We all tend to focus on different parts of other people's posts, because of our beliefs. I chose to quote that particular part of your post because of the opinions that I outlined earlier. I'm sorry if you feel that I have twisted your words.

I understand and agree with your argument that some feminists can appear too preachy and self-rightous. However, others try too hard to distance themselves from this stereotype and go to the other extreme. They went from preachy to "do what ever you like, I will just walk around behind you applauding."

No-one wins from this new paternalism. Men cannot open our mouths without being controlling. Women cannot say much without being accused of unkindly hurting someone's feelings. Women are fed affirmation but little useful advice.

BTW

I don't need to have any argument with Severin. I'd much prefer that she changed.

Cornflower
Disagreeing with someone or something they do is not to pull them down.

Too often on OLO there is a tendency to portray anything feminist as "fundy" to use your term. There appears to be a lot of misinformation about feminism - often those wanting to pull feminism down using the most extreme of examples instead of looking at the reasons why feminism emerged as it did. It was not a perfect movement by any means and I have also criticised some aspects of it on occasion.

Why is this photoshoot discussion only about feminism? Issues surrounding body image and self esteem are not feminist issues as they affect boys as well.

It seems anytime anyone wants to discuss something that affects primarily women/girls it becomes a feminist issue alone. For comparison when there is a discussion about boys being abused by priests it is simply an issue about pedophilia and the Church with no mention of masculinists.

It really gets up my nose sometimes as the real issues get sidetracked for what I consider unreasonable agendas. :)

pelican

I don't think you have raised anything that hasn't been discussed at length already although you did omit to say that it was radical feminists whose fundamentalism was compared with that of religious fundys.

It was rather a poor show that a successful woman MP and minister, especially one with such a good record as Kate Ellis should be subjected to such frivolous criticism.

Pelican < "It seems anytime anyone wants to discuss something that affects primarily women/girls it becomes a feminist issue alone."

Yes indeed... but you should know by now Pelican, Benk and Cornflower can't discuss many subjects unless they bring up the nasty females of our species.

I often wonder if they know any women who they don't believe are also feminists?

Good on Kate Ellis for showing her feminine side.

We have had to endure watching Tony Abbott's pathetic crutch-jiggling, speedo clad body as he tries to present a manly, athletic figure for us all to admire.

Kate makes a much nicer picture!

Cornflower
"...although you did omit to say that it was radical feminists whose fundamentalism was compared with that of religious fundys".

I omitted it because it has nothing to do with the subject at hand. Anything on OLO that is remotely female will be tarnished with the fundy brush.

It is not a poor show (as you well know) to hold politicians accountable for their actions of for whay they say - moreso if those actions are portrayed as being something they are clearly not. As I said, by all means have a photoshoot but please no politicking or spinning it as some greater mission about body image.

Give the public some credit.

Suze
Yes it is head against brick wall stuff for sure. :)