i wish i could have been a third voice in this podcast. i understand what you are both saying and it's relevance but there was so much of it which irked me. i find that victoria smith makes sweeping generalisations, many of which are negative. i find her analysis shallow and slightly confused. there are other ways to see the issues facing women as they age and also as mothers. i also found the views expressed regarding young women, (i have two daughters in their twenties plus two sons) while having some merit were not compelling. i bought your book louise, for my daughters. it's beautiful. you have a fine mind. i look forward to you revisiting these topics one day with the same deep understanding and clear reasoning you bring to so many others.
Regarding the "amorphous Force that compels women to act in one way or another," its called social conditioning and we're all subject to it. The simple fact is that, until basically yesterday historically, men needed to control women's bodies to ensure their paternity. Our social system for thousands of years, patriarchy, requires male domination. It's instilled to varying degrees from birth and enforced mostly by women for male approval and protection. Religion is overt (God the father) but so many other more subtle rules abound: baby's last name, who asks whom to date and marry, who gets to speak, etc.
One of the ways patriarchy is enforced is by negating the wisdom and dignity of older women. It silences our elders and keeps younger women insecure and easily controlled. Evolution was a longer game, predating patriarchy, and women long outlive their childbearing years for good reason: our wisdom is valuable to the survival of our group. We still know this instinctively, but it's literally subversive, derided as sorcery. The truth might not set older women free, but know you're meant to be here, keep your head up and don't let the bastards drag you down.
i wish i could have been a third voice in this podcast. i understand what you are both saying and it's relevance but there was so much of it which irked me. i find that victoria smith makes sweeping generalisations, many of which are negative. i find her analysis shallow and slightly confused. there are other ways to see the issues facing women as they age and also as mothers. i also found the views expressed regarding young women, (i have two daughters in their twenties plus two sons) while having some merit were not compelling. i bought your book louise, for my daughters. it's beautiful. you have a fine mind. i look forward to you revisiting these topics one day with the same deep understanding and clear reasoning you bring to so many others.
Regarding the "amorphous Force that compels women to act in one way or another," its called social conditioning and we're all subject to it. The simple fact is that, until basically yesterday historically, men needed to control women's bodies to ensure their paternity. Our social system for thousands of years, patriarchy, requires male domination. It's instilled to varying degrees from birth and enforced mostly by women for male approval and protection. Religion is overt (God the father) but so many other more subtle rules abound: baby's last name, who asks whom to date and marry, who gets to speak, etc.
One of the ways patriarchy is enforced is by negating the wisdom and dignity of older women. It silences our elders and keeps younger women insecure and easily controlled. Evolution was a longer game, predating patriarchy, and women long outlive their childbearing years for good reason: our wisdom is valuable to the survival of our group. We still know this instinctively, but it's literally subversive, derided as sorcery. The truth might not set older women free, but know you're meant to be here, keep your head up and don't let the bastards drag you down.