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You're Doing it Wrong: A History of Bad & Bonkers Advice to Women

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You're Doing it Wrong is an outrageous tour through the centuries of bonkers and bad advice handed down and foisted upon women, told as only Kaz Cooke can - with humour and rage, intelligence and wit.

Come with Kaz on a laugh-out-loud frolic through centuries of terrible advice, from 14th-century clergy to the Kardashians (wear a dress made of arsenic, do some day-drinking, have sex with a billionaire biker, worry about your vagina wrinkles). It's also a roar against injustice, a rallying cry for sisterhood and a way to free ourselves from ludicrous expectations and imposed perfectionism.
Kaz's own 30-year history of interest and experience in advice - from her newspaper etiquette column to best-selling books, including Up the Duff and the Girl Stuff series - and years of archives and research have culminated in a full-colour, exuberant shout of a book with hundreds of wacky and sobering historical photos of objects and instructions.

You're Doing It Wrong examines what we're told to do (change shape, shoosh, do all the housework), and what we're not supposed to do (frown, have pockets, lead a country). It covers sex & romance, paid work, fashion & beauty, health advice, housework, and a motherlode of mad parenting instructions - from witchcraft to beauty pageants, with a side of aviatrixes. Put the kettle on and settle in.

352 pages, Paperback

First published November 2, 2021

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Kaz Cooke

63 books91 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
Profile Image for Bianca.
1,289 reviews1,120 followers
May 9, 2022
I didn't plan to read another feminist book right after finishing the tremendous Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez, but I came across this book and thought to myself I'd just listen for a little while, see how I go.

Kaz Cooke is an Australian journalist and writer who's written newspaper columns and many books on a variety of themes, including pregnancy, baby/toddler raising, girls' "issues" etc. Her books generally have a funny side to them.

You're Doing It Wrong" looks at the crazy advice women had been given over centuries. The book could also have titles such as "Damned if you do, damned if you don't", "It's your fault, no matter what, 'cause you're a woman", and "You can do all the housework because you're a woman".
The book covers a variety of topics, from giving birth to raising children, housework, beauty, paid work etc. She also pays tribute to the many indigenous and Torres Strait Islander women who had been indentured (really, a modern form of slavery, especially since those women didn't really understand the terms of the agreement) for domestic work for a long time.

It also reminds us about women being erased from history, how men impose themselves and get all the glory even when it comes to things that women had been doing for millennia: women cooking family meals in perpetuity being mere cooks, while men became chefs; women making clothes and mending them for millennia being just mere seamstresses, while men became designers - you get the gist.

There is a fair bit that it's covered, without getting too heavy. Cooke has great one-liners. I can see her/hear her rolling her eyes or smirking. :-)

As Caroline Caldwell said, in a society that profits from your self-doubt, liking yourself is a rebellious act.
We should all rebel.

Cooke herself narrated the book and she was excellent.
Profile Image for Courtney.
920 reviews54 followers
November 17, 2021
There was more than a couple of ripping one liners in this book, the first one that really caught my attention was "The vagina is a self saucing pudding", another was "Being healthy was another way to require people to be religious and to their duty".

This is a book on all the dumb arse shit that women have been told over the years. And if you're a woman you know exactly what I've talking about. It's Australian based but does take examples from around the world. It covers the regular irritations. Health (travelling wombs, hysterical uterus), presentation (always smile, pose to make oneself look smaller), fashion (gloves, hats, stockings and what the lack of said about you, fucking pockets), inferiority (look the female brain just isn't as logical as the male) and all the bizarre and shitful advice that has been dolled out but a variety of dickheads and enforced by society.

It's mostly a great read. It does feel like it drags in some places, retracing steps that had been covered in previous chapters but you can see how that happens when there's a couple of dickheads who like to make assumptions all over the joint (here's looking at you, Alexander Walker and Aristotle) who liked their own opinions just a tad too much. It is frustrating to read all the ways in which women have been consistently fucked over or told completely ridiculous things. But you've got to remember the page directly after the introduction that says in bold type "Every heading in this book is a lie."

Profile Image for W.R. Gingell.
Author 44 books1,077 followers
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February 26, 2025
i really enjoyed this book, after very nearly stopping it about 2/3rds of the way through where Cooke focused so much on abortion that the book very nearly went off the rails. both before and after that point there was so much good and necessary food for thought that if you're pro-life i still think it's worth reading. there were a few historical gaffes, as well as a few relating to religion that made me roll my eyes, but the thing that really left a bad taste in my mouth was the *way* Cooke focused on abortion for a really big segment of the book. obviously as a pro-life person i'm not going to agree with her ethics/outlook there, and i'm not here to debate the issue (esp not on exceptions--like rape--not the rule) but i do wish more medical research was devoted to women's health and to supporting safe pregnancy rather than killing children in the womb as a default. but we don't even have decent women's medical research so castles in the air i guess?

it was the next section that made me really glad i kept reading, where Cooke gets into the inherent racism of esp the women who were otherwise champions for women's rights. she showed clearly the need for race discussions in feminism even today, and the extra difficulties and heartbreak that dark-skinned women face in addition to those brought about by sexism; she showed the long history of othering and depersonalisation that has happened to dark skinned women (esp in this case, Aboriginal women, bc this is an Aussie book) by australian white women. i found it a pity that she didn't recognise the same othering and depersonalisation that she was committing toward children in the womb that justifies so many women in exploiting our single bit of power over SOMETHING yet again.

long story short, well worth reading. it's also amusing in the dry aussie way that feels natural and easy to imbibe. there was heaps here i knew, but more i didn't, and it was worth while being reminded regardless.
Profile Image for Ngarie.
765 reviews14 followers
December 11, 2021
An engaging and entertaining read from cover to cover.
Understanding a historical context for current day opinions and behaviours is something that I really believe in and I thank Kaz Cooke for writing this book full of information and sass.
Profile Image for Billie Yankie.
333 reviews37 followers
March 10, 2022
I don't often read non-fiction, but this one was brilliant. A feminist manifesto, taking a closer look at everything we've been told about being a woman - historically, culturally, as children as well as adults.
Kaz Cooke examines under a humorous microscope contradicting statements we seem to take as the truth. Things like 'natural beauty is the way to go' and 'buy this expensive make-up/skin care to look better' and 'this is how to perfect the smoky eye' are our daily life, but they seem ridiculously at odds when put on the same page.
Profile Image for Mel.
91 reviews
March 2, 2024
Well researched, sarcastic and snarky and (for the most part) well paced. I really enjoyed this! If you don’t enjoy the humour, it would become grating very quickly, but I loved it. A reminder of how far we’ve come but how far we have to go with giving us poor women a break.

4 ⭐️

Some quotes:

“ ‘Breasts are back’. Great, I said, I think I left mine in the cutlery drawer, I shall dig the, out”

“Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Well move it away then.”

An elderly lady talking about being single and not having to cook dinner for a family: “It’s bliss not having to make anyone’s dinner. A lot of ladies here are very relieved. Sometimes, she paused, we’ll just have a biscuit” Honestly, what a mood lol.
Profile Image for Rania T.
632 reviews22 followers
December 29, 2021
Kaz Cooke has done it once again. Well researched, intelligent and humorous she gives us the why of everything we have been told in the past or even now should be taken with a grain of salt. Whether that is why to get married, what to eat what to wear or how to behave in company...ha!
1 review
July 16, 2022
This is such an important and current topic, and one that treads a fine line combined with humour, no matter how well intended. I was intrigued by the title, and was initially entertained by the authors wit and blunt opinions. Women's history is fraught with all the examples she includes, and so many more. As an avid reader of women history, inclusive of the politics, religion, indigenous and international cultures, I found her assessment of many historic and contemporary practices way too trite and narrow minded. I was pushing myself to read it through until she addressed the topics of health, breastfeeding, childbirth - how ironic I thought that she highlights the ignorant rationale for witch burnings, yet herself criticises modern women embracing the very same thing they were once murdered for - holistic living, natural health, medicinal herbs, attachment parenting! By equal insult, she assumes her reader trusts modern science, vaccines, pharmaceuticals (which incidentally bare too many examples of paternalistic privilege and male arrogance over women's bodies). I am not anti-science (or vaccines), but as a retired pharmaceutical rep I am well aware of the smoke and mirrors marketing departments use to convince medical professionals and women that 'male health professionals know what's best and women cannot be entrusted to take care of themselves, their children or others'. This topic is too complex, too corrupt and too insidious to be handled with tokenistic historic pics and sarcastic humour. I cringe to think about the content of her other books!
Profile Image for Cathy.
279 reviews4 followers
December 31, 2021
So this turned out to be my final book of 2021 and it didn’t disappoint.
The amount of research that went into it was amazing. Discovering the history of some of the mis-information we’ve been given as females over the years was really interesting.
I loved Kaz’s conversational way of writing and the added information in the margins was very enlightening.
The addition of pictures was great, I think I need to revisit some of the libraries mentioned to check out their artefacts for myself.
Profile Image for Clare Snow.
1,234 reviews101 followers
February 15, 2022
I didn't like this at first. I think it was Kaz Cooke's writing style, but it grew on me. I laughed, rolled my eyes, and shuddered in equal measure. Including that emblematic annoyance for women everywhere - a lack of pockets.
"If we give women pockets they can use they abuse them, stuff them full of all sorts of things" - London dressmaker, 1923

I love the historical illustrations and photos, esp the Theatrical Postcards. Oh, for a life in the Theatre.
Profile Image for Jeanette.
143 reviews3 followers
December 28, 2021
Well researched but easy to read book. I prefer a book with a bit more detail in my nonfiction, as any one of these chapters could be a full book.

Liked the conversational and light style and commentary on serious topics.
Profile Image for Sharon.
1,297 reviews10 followers
April 24, 2022
I absolutely love Kaz Cooke and this book is a balm to my soul.
Full of information on advice to women through the ages, I swear I rolled my eyes so hard at times, I saw myself have a thought.
Done in her usual no nonsense but humorous manner, this has to be my favourite book of the year so far.
Profile Image for Sharn ✿.
68 reviews11 followers
March 19, 2025
This book makes me mad.. I don't want to say I wasn't aware of the unequal power relations and social structures that lead to marginalisation, exploitation and social injustices faced by women. However, this book listed all of them throughout history and I was FLABBERGASTED.. y'all trying to tell me men made up that our uteruses run away every couple of months and they legitimately invented ways to coax it back down to its original location by tormenting the labia!? Girl please!! 

Some of the advice that was given to women is almost hilarious and entraining, I sat here laughing about some of the outlandish advice and practices invented for women until I realised women LIVED THIS IN HISTORY and we're STILL LIVING THIS today!! 

This particular quote gave me chills and not in a good way:

"the advice is always to be quiet and to get out of the way, move cinema seats, rooms, jobs. It's hard enough for a woman to say loudly on a train 'stop touching me' and move away, what if nobody else is in the carage? What if he turns violent? Did I mention he's my boss?"

This book covers some deep topics, as the synopsis says, some bad and bonkers truths.. however, Kaz does it in a way that's informative but yet light enough to digest with her points of sarcasm. I could feel her rolling her eyes at some points in the book!! 

Highly recommend the audiobook 🫶🏻
Profile Image for Adnamy.
199 reviews10 followers
July 26, 2022
I gave this book the benefit of 3 stars because in all fairness I didn’t “read” it but rather listened to it so did not have the benefit of all the images - may try and track these down. I appreciated all the work but in the end I thought it was a bit of an aggressive & often inaccurate feminist rant. Without structure, & from a biased point of view. However I was amused by some of the one-liners & astute observations. If you are in the mood it’s funny … but like Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette it is also deadly serious. Hey life may not be meant to be easy but it is supposed to be fun … at least at times.
Profile Image for Zoe Duggan.
6 reviews
July 24, 2022
This book is a real crack up and had me both in stitches as well as in a hot rage as I read on. Cooke manages to break the white hot rage elicited through her historic accounts of female oppression, with amusing and off-colour jokes. While I found some of the content a tad repetitive, I did thoroughly enjoy this read.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
353 reviews31 followers
April 3, 2023
During a hectic work period I kept dipping into this book and loved it. I roasted with laughter, cringed, googled to find out more and lastly gasped.

The chapter that included the use of First Nation women and girls during settlement and colonisation is worth applauding.

And, the passage about Tom Wills was at first unexpected, but a timely reminder Australia has a dark park.

Thank you, Kaz Cooke.
Profile Image for Reagan.
25 reviews4 followers
January 23, 2022
Funny, engaging, interesting, thought provoking! I absolutely loved this book and spurred on many conversations with those around me on the role of women within society and how for so long we’ve had it so bad. Highly recommend to give this a read!
Profile Image for Gili.
378 reviews
April 11, 2022
This book is hilarious and angry and though a good deal was covered by other feminist books I've read, I learned some new (to me) things especially about Australian history. Super glad I picked it up.
Profile Image for Kim Johnstone.
321 reviews1 follower
April 28, 2022
Kaz Cooke always makes me laugh while pointing out the absurdity of much of what we're told as women. While there was nothing in this book I haven't read about before, it was great having it all together in one place (and just maintained the rage). My 15 year old son has begun reading it too, and he is astounded by what women have been told.
Profile Image for Emilee.
276 reviews48 followers
November 5, 2022
A fascinating and in depth look at how society and culture has treated women and changed their norms towards women’s rights/how we live our lives! Kaz Cooke’s iconic wit definitely shines through in this one!
49 reviews
January 19, 2022
An easy introduction to all the terrible crazy advice spouted at women and girls for the last few hundred years.
Some "advice" that I found interesting and resonated with me...
Purple was banned for anyone other than royalty.
Girls are told to smile more.
Profile Image for Nat.
290 reviews1 follower
March 31, 2024
This was fabulous! A laugh out loud examination of all the crappy 'advice' women have been given about our bodies, our role in society, acceptable behaviour, what jobs we can/should do.

I found myself equal parts incensed with the absolute ridiculous advice women have been given (anti-wrinkle product for the inside of your vagina anyone?), and just flabbergasted by recent examples of women being 'put in our place.

Kaz Cooke is a brilliant writer, able to tell absolutely appalling facts with humour and wit.

A must read for all
Profile Image for gothhootersgirl69.
2 reviews
January 12, 2025
The only laundering I’m interested in is money

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kate.
1,046 reviews13 followers
March 4, 2022
When I was a teenager, most of my health information came from Dolly Doctor. Pretty sure it was the same for my friends. Occasionally, someone would access a copy of Cosmo from an older sister or their mother - Cosmo had a 'sealed section' that was full of the details that Dolly Doctor only hinted at. I mention this because girls and women have talked about their health for an eternity; the sources of information are varied (in accuracy and reliability); and there's lots of myths that persist well beyond what seems sensible (who hasn't heard the story about the washcloth, glitter and a visit to the gynecologist?).

Kaz Cooke examines centuries of 'bad and bonkers' advice to women in You're Doing it Wrong . The book begins with health and relationship advice, and moves on to how to manage housework, how to dress, and how to behave (essentially, 'be pretty and be quiet'). As Cooke describes, each sub-heading in the book is a lie that woman have been told, and those alone are enough to horrify -

You'll get bicycle face
Girls need charm school
Your uterus wanders around
Your doctor is in charge of you
Pick a side: science vs women's knowledge
Hot and cold baths are medicine

You're either a fan of Cooke's brash style of humour, or you're not. I like it in small doses (her classic, Up the Duff , made me laugh during each of my pregnancies). Her style is conversational and familiar - I can totally imagine Cooke saying 'Aristotle was a fuckwit' to one of her friends (that's on page 12 - he's deemed a fuckwit because he said that women had brains and bodies that were lesser versions of men). Like it or not, Cooke keeps the pace throughout the book.

The social history elements were interesting, and the focus on the etiquette system as a way of embedding racism, sexism, colonialism, misogyny, and disrespect of others in the guise of 'manners' and certitude, was fascinating. A number of sections focus on Indigenous women, and although the information about Indigenous women and girls being relegated to a life of 'domestic service', was not new to me, Cooke's account of her own family history, provides depth, and highlights how very, very recent this shameful 'history' is.

Cooke doesn't only look back. Indeed, much of what is happening today in the lucrative 'wellness industry' and on social media, is really no different to bicycle face, charm school, and the wandering wombs of yesteryear.

While the first 'influences' may have been strong-willed local people interested in feeling powerful or being sure of themselves - fathers, husbands, and clergy, anyone with access to a platform and a printing press, they're now often models, 'footballer's wives' and celebrities leveraging their fame to spread their beliefs, often for more influence and cash.


Get a copy of this book for the photographs alone - from drawings of control underwear and corsets that look like torture devices, to early gynecological instruments... that are torture devices, Cooke's meticulous research has paid off.

I'll leave you with the story shared under the subheading, 'Being single is frightful' -

When I visited an elderly lady called Joan on a research visit to an assisted living village a few years ago, we talked about how she was one of the many widows there. She leaned towards me, and confided in a whisper, "It's bliss not having to make anyone's dinner. A lot of ladies here are very relieved. Sometimes," she paused, "we'll just have a biscuit."


I love Joan.

3/5 The humour wears a little thin, so read in short bursts.
Profile Image for LibraryKath.
622 reviews17 followers
March 22, 2022
Kaz Cooke is always good value. She speaks sense and does it with humour and grace. I got some good laugh out loud moments out of this one, as well as some that made me want to slap someone. No matter what we do, women are always "doing it wrong". At least Kaz documents it with her tongue firmly planted in her cheek.
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