Houlley
I can't comment as I have not read the book nor seen it. It would not probably be my cup of tea, I prefer men. My reading tastes are eclectic to say the least but I haven't read Germaine for a while. Her biography by Christine Wallace was interesting.

Greer, The Boy:

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/07/09/1057430278896.html

http://www.amazon.com/Germaine-Greer-Beautiful-Boy/dp/0847825868#reader

Cornflower:- Thanks for the interesting web sites, I added a couple of them to my favourites

Paying lip service to gender equality is extremely pertinent when the education standard for boys is examined.
http://www.menshealthaustralia.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=19&Itemid=84

There appears to be a huge level of resistance on the part of authorities about introducing programs for boys, just in case this might just disadvantage girls.

The preachers do not pratice what they preach!

Nina raises a durable thesis but if myth is the topic, as a supporter of equal rights, may I venture my own?

One must factor in democracy itself. Democratic leaps occur constantly. I've zero doubt the day before Obama was elected many said "no black will ever be president... rights can only overcome so much resistance".

However, the emancipation of women was the greatest shot in the arm for the male dominated 'Temperance' movements ability to shape legislative design to suit men, and "godfearing" women.

Consider "Sisters..." duet. A famous feminist anthem. Yet the lyrics themselves peddle a myth. "They used to say behind every great man there had to be a great woman... but in these times of change... it's no longer true... we're comin out of the kitchen..", etc. What is more accurate is "without promoting male values, women would never be recognised... and some women still wish to hold onto that security... gosh girls this doesn't even rhyme!".

Nina's flaw in logic is omitting the religious suppression of womens rights: Theocratic misogyny. The bible formed the basis for Western culture and we kid ourselves to go "retro-secular". Also, we must take care to not mesh autonomous choices with heteronomous assumption. We must also be careful to not be fooled that heteronomy is actually autonomy.

The question is, just what was "a great man"? Pro-feminism, tolerant of other races, sexual orientation and religions? Doubt it. Great Men are a product of their time. Women fought discrimination because other "delicate, ladylike" women ensured the ignorance, bigotry, stupid blinkered morality and quaint notions such as "the church community", god as "He" or "the parish" was what life was for.

It's one thing for Danny Nalliah - and dozens of other "pastors" to claim Victoria burned because god wanted us to suffer following decriminalisation of abortion. It is another thing entirely when female "sporting legends" exploit their profile to push biblical zealotry via support. Or his "visits" from god claiming we must return to medieval ways - backed by Margaret Court and a veritable army of women hating bible loving women.

'Temperance movement' [US Religious Right] thus doubled their ability to force legislation. Consider: The Harrison tax act on opioid medication was drawn up in 1914. It failed. MDs were jailed until 1919 when the Supreme Court in Webb vs USA held up what we now know is an abuse of the international right to health and tacked together a new gig; Prohibition of opioid medication.

Then there was the prohibition of alcohol. Why? The bible warned clearly what decadence and evil must surely follow the "demon drink". Sounds bizarre, until one considers this claim [Sodom/Gomorrah] is the fate of Australia because we allow kids to buy condoms, access clean syringes, take sex ed classes. In Australia this was submitted as "evidence" into an Inquiry into illicit drugs and... Family!! Accepted without question by the Chair - Bronwyn Bishop.

Women are never far away when we add up the abuse of minorities - including other women. Who ensured the exorcisms continued at Mercy Ministries? Women - only women - & Gloria Jeans Coffee shops- who still refuse to reveal why they used your tips to fund this abuse of ill women.

Women make it hard to argue for equal rights, when women themselves insist equality is "sinful" or "unnatural".

Today, one of the single greatest forces behind homophobia, the myth that being gay is a 'curable' disease, lack of a father figure leads to deviance/dysfunctionality... is the great women behind their holier-than-thou hubbies.

Visit Focus on the Family, Fatherhood Foundation, Women who want to be women, Above Rubies, Drug Free Australia, DrugBeat, etc, etc. Women telling big fibs to push more women into line according to their private choice of religion.

Who are primary peddlers of New Age rubbish? Magic auras, energy crystals, anti-vaccination, homeopathy, unworkable diet plans? More so, this "holistic" woo-woo is polluting community health. Suddenly bored women can get a certificate IV in [insert easy money job] and have control over the lives of in need, at risk human beings. We have a problem with mental health AND the culture of "Nurture Knows Best" undermining genuine science.