I love your topic idea, Leah, of exploring single-gender spaces. I'd suggest, too, intersectional feminism. And the "simple" topic of "patriarchy - what do you mean when you say 'patriarchy' or 'patriarchal?' And with what judgement(s)?" and more on "should parenting aims be different for a daughter, granddaughter, or niece -- than for a son, grandson, or nephew?" And...whatever topics you come up with will be of value!
I think it's central to ask *why* a space is single-gendered. On one hand, there is a kind of openness possible in single-gender spaces that allows people to speak more freely about certain kinds of problems they face. On the other, single-gender spaces can become a way of controlling whichever gender (usually women) has less power--by being cordoned off, they are less of a threat to the status quo. But even in those sorts of negative situations, having a space without the other gender present can become something that people find strengthening, a place where they can exercise a form of "safe" leadership even. There's a reason that whites in the antebellum South did not like the idea of enslaved people having private prayer meetings.
Love this! I think a discussion about how to think about exclusion and threat, and especially kickstarted by how you think about this from an illiberal perspective, would be great for this space.
From a (classical) liberal perspective, there are many well defined approaches - preserve diversity of experience and thought, reduce harm, etc. A hospital choosing to train staff on how to be more welcoming to men who birth & chestfeed is not, then, viewed as a threat to traditional motherhood, but as a choice to minimize harm. Similarly, the threat posed by an exclusive gendered space would be weighed against statutes, stated policies, the value of that space historically, etc.
But from an illiberal perspective, the historical approaches that have been used are probably not what you're aiming for? Rather than a minimize harm approach, illiberal societies have generally weighed threat more heavily, with a 'where goes one we go all' attitude. And, as we see today from illiberal politicians, there is an emphasis on defining the in group *through* exclusion of an out group.
Congratulations on your pregnancy and your new job! I really like the idea of talking about single-gender space. I don't have a thoughtfully worded question on issues of including trans and non-binary people in women's spaces/discussions, but I also think that would be something that I'd trust (perhaps only) this group to discuss fruitfully.
I love your topic idea, Leah, of exploring single-gender spaces. I'd suggest, too, intersectional feminism. And the "simple" topic of "patriarchy - what do you mean when you say 'patriarchy' or 'patriarchal?' And with what judgement(s)?" and more on "should parenting aims be different for a daughter, granddaughter, or niece -- than for a son, grandson, or nephew?" And...whatever topics you come up with will be of value!
congratulations on the pregnancy! this must be an enormous joy for your family!
I think it's central to ask *why* a space is single-gendered. On one hand, there is a kind of openness possible in single-gender spaces that allows people to speak more freely about certain kinds of problems they face. On the other, single-gender spaces can become a way of controlling whichever gender (usually women) has less power--by being cordoned off, they are less of a threat to the status quo. But even in those sorts of negative situations, having a space without the other gender present can become something that people find strengthening, a place where they can exercise a form of "safe" leadership even. There's a reason that whites in the antebellum South did not like the idea of enslaved people having private prayer meetings.
Love this! I think a discussion about how to think about exclusion and threat, and especially kickstarted by how you think about this from an illiberal perspective, would be great for this space.
From a (classical) liberal perspective, there are many well defined approaches - preserve diversity of experience and thought, reduce harm, etc. A hospital choosing to train staff on how to be more welcoming to men who birth & chestfeed is not, then, viewed as a threat to traditional motherhood, but as a choice to minimize harm. Similarly, the threat posed by an exclusive gendered space would be weighed against statutes, stated policies, the value of that space historically, etc.
But from an illiberal perspective, the historical approaches that have been used are probably not what you're aiming for? Rather than a minimize harm approach, illiberal societies have generally weighed threat more heavily, with a 'where goes one we go all' attitude. And, as we see today from illiberal politicians, there is an emphasis on defining the in group *through* exclusion of an out group.
Congratulations on your pregnancy and your new job! I really like the idea of talking about single-gender space. I don't have a thoughtfully worded question on issues of including trans and non-binary people in women's spaces/discussions, but I also think that would be something that I'd trust (perhaps only) this group to discuss fruitfully.