MeerderWörter’s Comments (group member since Jan 08, 2016)

MeerderWörter’s comments from the Our Shared Shelf group.

Brooke wrote: "This is such a beautiful thing. Though I'm slightly saddened by the fact that this was not an idea when I was growing up, it makes me happy that people my age are the ones initiating it. I will do ..."

Brooke, you can always look into the Pay-It-Forward thread for people who need it so you can send it to them!
Or you share them on the tube/tram/bus, or, as I plan to do, on the university campus!

It is shocking to read what you write about, Evelyn!

Now, we don't have that problem here in Austria (we don't have school uniforms to begin with) and I think it is problematic when you think about how the media influences the society, men and women alike, and this is the outcome.

Now, I believe that the responsibility lies with the perpetrator (and I hope I'm not alone with this belief), but do's and don't's are learned from the society we grow up/live in.

It's horrible what you write about pedophiles. I can definitely see the link between the pedophilia and that habit of dressing like children.

Carolina wrote: "Well, I don't think we should deprive things to people that do good to their children just because some of them don't. And actually, it's known that a father feels left behind when the woman gets p..."

I totally go with you here, Carolina. Just one question: Where are you from? Where is maternity/paternity leave mandatory and paid? I think that's a great idea, for the reasons you already mentioned. And totally feminist:)

Anja wrote: "MeerderWörter wrote: "Snails are, yes, but humans are not and activists want to stress that point, really."

I know, just wanted to make sure that people don't assume that snails cannot be hermaphr..."

I have looked on Google, but haven't found it in English - would be a great term to use in English tho.

Wow, we should do that in other countries as well - the more we spread the information the more media will write about us!

James wrote: "Ross wrote: "No James I am saying none of the things you list. I am stating the fact men enjoy liberties women do not. And feminism exists to address that injustice."

But no one has argued that po..."

Feminism is changing the society for the better including all genders. And I do care about LGBTQIA folks, about disabled and all the other people who are discriminated against and have to face inequalities.
I think feminism is inclusive of all of these people, regardless of gender!

Ross wrote: "There was a vote in the UK to ratify a bill to protect vulnerable people from domestic abuse it was opposed by two MPs who went as far as trying to block it. They both described themselves as anti ..."

Exactly, Ross. I'm actually so annoyed when people say they are egalitarians, meninists or the like, because, come on, we have a word for that, we don't need ten!

Sandra, they're all doing great for their age. Sure, they need glasses and are having troubles when comes to sounds, but they can live on their own, we sometimes help them when they need a lift, but that's it. Self-determined and with no special need for help.

The interesting thing about dementia and learning languages is the fact that you first forget all the "learned" languages - in my case only English yet - but you can still speak in your mother tongue. So translators always come in handy for that.

Being interested is definitely a pro, but not just for Alzheimer's, also in general.

I can see the pros outweighing the cons, but think about this:
When you call a taxi, why not ask for a female (or male, whatever you prefer) taxi driver.

I think that would be the best solution fitting everybody. If we had men-only services too, I think it'd be gender-equal then.

In general, I'd say society defines what a man makes a man.
I also go with the other's posts.
It is mature not to engage in a fight unless you are forced (have no other option) to do so.
We should always go for the higher road (thanks for yet another new expression Meelie:) )

Soscha, you nailed it!

That is a wonderful post to read!

For all the topics that were mentioned already I go with it!
That's what gender equality is about, equal opportunities for all genders.

I know it's possible in Austria, but not really used, mainly for the reason that men earn more than women (one of the huge issues I want to be challenged and sorted when it comes to Austria).

One week off per month is quite a lot, but I can understand the argument, especially when it comes to periods, they can be devilish. I'd support that, it would also benefit men.

Julia wrote: "It hurts me that people are turned off when they hear the word feminism. It's such a basic construct that society has destroyed and built into the opposite of what it truly stands for and means. Th..."

I can only say the same that James said already: Great post. Summed up the problem as a whole in its core. I think that's the essence of the problem we discuss here.
Education is really needed, it will take time, but it will be worth it!

Robert wrote: "It was a victory. That's what the focus should be on. Nearly 100% victory. :-)"

I agree with you, but knowing survivors of abuse myself it is really shocking for me how anybody can vote NO in this cause.+


I'm glad it's become law in Austria already, normally we are the ones who need ages to ratify something.

Sandra wrote: "age is a state of mind, true enough. i went back to college in my 40's, became a therapist and started a brand new career just before i was 50. divorced at 51, i quit my job and ran away from home ..."

Wow, you really live your life to the fullest!
For sure, the "woman warrior spirit lives no matter what our age". Look at Gloria Steinem, who is 83 and settled down in her 70s.

I'm at university, and only 19 years old, but I've been working in an old-people's home voluntarily from October until July. What I have experienced there is great, I'm not afraid of growing old any more. Sure, I'd rather not be in the state of some of the people I've seen when I hopefully am old myself too, but let's say I'm not afraid anymore, even dementia lost a bit of its frightening aspect.

To see somebody with dementia was difficult for me in the beginning, and I can understand everybody who says they are sad, or anxious about the state of their loved one.

The most shocking for me is that they become children again, in some ways, especially when you've known the person when they were still the person you used to know. Dementia can change a person's personality very much, and also all the abilities they are no longer capable of doing.
It affects both the brain and the body, and sometimes it is cruel to watch them losing their abilities.


Now, my mom is in her 50's, and my dad's in his 40's, and they both are now faced with the first signs of aging. They cope rather well, but it's harder for my dad, because he can't go by biking anymore, really, which he loved doing.
My mom is much into QiGong, and the really great thing about it is that you can do it when you stand, sit, or lie down. So she'll be able to do so for a very long time, maybe until she goes to the other side of the mountain.
She also loves to read and enjoys that I am becoming more and more independent and she can enjoy time without me, helping refugees to learn German or to watch over my younger cousins, to be there for them when they should need an adult and my aunt is busy at work.

Now, my grandparents in their 80's and 70's are still very vital( I thought they weren't but then I've seen the people in the old people's home and that definitely changed my opinion about what "old people" are capable of doing:) )
I'm proud of them because they literally have built a house out of nothing, and have worked on it since they started building it, and are really fond of me (I'm their only grand-child) and I really appreciate that they were living on self-supporting to a big extent for as long as they've been living in that house.
I also see that they can enjoy the victories of feminism (which was so much needed in the 60's and 70's), because Austria really was discriminatory to females.

The concept of aging definitely changed in the 20th century. In the past people said: Oh, he's old when they were 50. A generation later they said: Oh, you can see his age when they were 70.
The physical work changed, so changed the aging process and thus the way age is perceived, although agism is live and well, especially among the young and those who don't work with old people in their profession (and sometimes even there:( )

Wonderful posts to read from all of you!

Kellie wrote: "Just joined the club and the first book I'll be joining the conversation with is one of my favourite plays! I've been helping produce V-Day shows for over a decade on uni campuses and professional ..."

Michelle wrote: "New to the group and excited for this and many more!"

I'm sure both of you will learn a lot here, it's a fantastic feeling to be a part of this book club and our reading choices always give some new knowledge, although it may vary which one!

Ross wrote: "I was pleased that my MP voted in favour he would have anyway I think but I hassled him after getting Emma's heads up. Now if I may WTF is an anti feminist MP why is that not a descrimatory matter...."

You really are upset, aren't you (WTF)?
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks like that, it's a sign for us to only increase our visibility, our effort!

The English MP system is so strange to me, I'll need time to get used to it!

Meelie wrote: "Great that this passed, however I'm shocked to see there were anti-feminists opposed to protection for anyone the subject of abuse. Clearly, they don't know how to put themselves in other people's ..."

I thought so too:
One MP: I'm not against it, it's just that males are treated way worse than females in prison.

Like how, in any way, is this an answer. Yes, that is a serious issue, but just because you say males have it worse in prisons we shouldn't protect females? How is that logical in any sense?!
I'm so glad it was turned into law in Austria already. Kinda proud of that.

Anja wrote: "Snails are hermaphrodites as both of the reproductive organs work. There's a small section in this text about the different terms: Frequently asked questions: intersex. Otherwise, I agree with you ..."

transident is only used in German? I didn't know that, thanks for letting me know yet another term's use. I thought transident is the umbrella term for transsexual and transgender. That's the context in which I first came across this term.

Snails are, yes, but humans are not and activists want to stress that point, really.

I'll have a look at your suggestion:) Sounds very informative!

Baptiste, in fact we have read more biographies (autobiographies) than anything else here.

Most of the books are available in more languages than English, and feel free to discuss any topic, although I agree with Ross, it's good to read/listen to feminist material. You could start with Emma's speeches to begin with, they're really great I think.