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Womans Hour

(79 Posts)
Grannyris Mon 30-Jul-18 10:36:52

I really can't listen to Woman's Hour any more - are we really such a load of whining entitled females that is interested only in our bits, racism, sexism and how hard done by we are? I'm very happy being a female, I don't feel discriminated against or downtrodden, and I never have. I don't quite want the programme to go back to the days of jam making and crochet but a little touch of it every now and again might bring a little light relief! I know more about lesbian and transgender problems than I feel is strictly necessary.

anitamp1 Wed 01-Aug-18 10:29:29

Totally agree. But i don't think the women who appear on TV or in the press moaning about their lot in life represent most women. Whilst obviously sexual harassment is a total no no, I think there is a real issue of where to draw a line. I never minded wolf whistles when I was young. If a man made an unwanted pass I dealt with him and it didn't traumatise me for life. If a male friend/colleague touched me on the arm or shoulder I never felt my space was being invaded. There are a couple of tv ads with young women ogling at topless fit young men, and my husband has commented that if the roles were swapped, women would be up in arms and would be calling it sexist. There are some serious, unfair and distressing issues that affect women, but I think as women we really need to pick our fights.

justanovice Wed 01-Aug-18 10:34:55

I agree with Grannyris. Woman's hour has got very one dimensional. It used to cover such a broad range and now my heart sinks as yet another depressing topic is headlined. I am afraid that it's "down else off".

mabon1 Wed 01-Aug-18 10:59:21

I am 77 years of age, Never in my life have I felt useless, discriminated against or downtrodden, always been happy in my skin, I'm no beauty and never have been but blessed with good health, kind husband (deceased) three lovely lads and a varied social life, what more could I want? Don't like Jenny Murray, but do listen to Woman's Hour and You and Yours.

rockgran Wed 01-Aug-18 11:07:58

Yes, I find it a bit grim and worthy now. I guess that deep down I'm shallow. cupcake

LuckyFour Wed 01-Aug-18 11:23:05

I think Jane Garvey is an excellent Woman's Hour presenter.
She's very straightforward and down to earth and seems to ask the questions I want to ask.

Craftycat Wed 01-Aug-18 12:43:38

I agree- I do still listen to it if I am in but find myself turning it off quite often now.
TBH I do get fed up with all the women's rights things. I know there is still a lot of areas that need improving but it just seems to be the same old whinge. I prefer to hear about women who have made it in a so called 'man's world'- I did OK when I was working without standing on a soap box.
I used to enjoy the cookery bit but I haven't heard that for a while. Maybe it is on after I've turned off!

PECS Wed 01-Aug-18 13:14:09

The trouble with judging the whole of womanhood by ones own limited experience is that it sound a bit smug! To be honest I have had a reasonably charmed life good marriage, lovely bright kids, fulfilling professional career etc etc. BUT I have friends, family and acquaintances whose live have been less charmed and some have had to cope and manage with all kinds of difficult situations. If there were not people out there lobbying for better equality, understanding etc etc my life & others may not have been so comfortable. I think woman's hour tackles a wide range of issues..I am not always interested or 100% behind the style of presenter but I am only one woman.

Sheilasue Wed 01-Aug-18 13:36:32

Haven’t listened to woman’s hour in years. Always found a lot of it boring didn’t feel I connected with any topics on there. Very middle class.

maryhoffman37 Wed 01-Aug-18 14:59:03

I never quite forgave Jenni Murray for not being Sue McGregor. Much prefer Jane Garvey. And I listen every day that I'm home.

Hm999 Wed 01-Aug-18 15:22:25

Given that so many grannies are suffering under the near-silent raising of pension age and demise of benefits, I'm glad that so many of our number are doing
I am concerned that lots of middle-aged people and older think that discussion of racusm or LGBT rights is overblown, and that sexism is a thing of the past. I do sometimes wonder if empathy is a thing of the past.

rubytut Wed 01-Aug-18 15:33:22

If you want something lighter and more varied, with the option of fast forward the boring bits, try This Morning with Eammon and Ruth.

Elegran Wed 01-Aug-18 16:00:25

Hm999 I don't think anyone says that all those evils are a thing of the past, just that adding other, lighter items in between the heavy stuff would mean that the whole thing would be listened to more often and with more interest given to the serious things.

In meal terms, if you served a starter of dim sum, followed by bacon suet pudding and boiled potatoes, followed by steamed apple dumplings, your guests would suffer from indigestion.

Lancslass1 Wed 01-Aug-18 16:33:24

I like Jane Garvey but I never listen to Woman's Hour any more for the reasons given.
I am sick and tired of young women bemoaning their lot.
I bet,like me ,most women who had their babies years ago didn't have all the fuss made of them with personal midwives,birthing plans etc.
As for Jenni Murray.
I went right of her when on Celebrity (a dreadful word) University Challenge ,she introduced herself as Dame Jenni Murray.
For goodness sake she is a very well paid Presenter .
She hasn't made a great breakthrough in Medicine.

Overthehills Wed 01-Aug-18 17:00:57

Definitely not a fan of Dame Jenni. Haven’t listened to WH for years but my friend does and ends up shouting at the radio - don’t think I’ll risk it!

Hm999 Wed 01-Aug-18 20:16:20

I see that tomorrow's Woman's Hour is doing a piece on recipes from the feminist magazine Spare Rib. Honestly

Rosina Wed 01-Aug-18 21:49:23

I gave up on 'Woman's Hour ' some tears ago when they had a run of the most piffling and silly items, lacking any information, entertainment or good humour and culminating in the presenter talking to a woman who had made a new album. After she had spent a syrupy ten minutes cooing at the singer she then asked her 'And just how important was it for you to feel that you had taken complete emotional ownership of your new album?' At this point I felt that Woman's Hour had gone so far up a path that I didn't want to follow that I haven't listened to it since.

Rosina Wed 01-Aug-18 21:51:01

Years! Typos again - sorry.

Shizam Wed 01-Aug-18 22:35:49

I was a fan for years. But too much grimness for me. Have stopped listening.
Cancer, female genital multilation. Jane Garvey is good but too sharp. Still like Jennie Murray. Producers need to up their game.

Azie09 Wed 01-Aug-18 22:39:20

Well said PECS. I'm finding this a depressing and sad thread. 'I'm all right Jack' and complacent. Has it occurred to you that your gilded little lives might not be representative of all lives in the past 70 years? Or that the world as reported by Woman's Hour is the one inhabited by your children and grandchildren and that many of the items reported on are issues with far reaching effects on their lives. A bunch of Brexit Leave voters and climate deniers I'd guess. Do your families still speak to you?

Chewbacca Wed 01-Aug-18 22:43:33

Wow Azie09 that was a bit uncalled for.
A bunch of Brexit Leave voters and climate deniers I'd guess.
Generalisation much?

Azie09 Wed 01-Aug-18 22:48:46

Convince me otherwise and save my faith in Grannies then Chewbacca.

Chewbacca Wed 01-Aug-18 23:01:18

I don't listen to WH at all due to being out at work during the day so I haven't commented on the programme. What caught my eye was your angry post. I have no idea how I could possibly "convince someone otherwise" who held such negative and angry views of people that they've never met. And to have come to such sweeping and generalised views, based on a few 2 line posts about a radio programme, just leaves me in awe. I really must try and listen to WH if it elicits such a strong reaction.

Azie09 Wed 01-Aug-18 23:25:18

Interesting that the original post and others making sweeping statements about whole swathes of the population go unremarked! Says it all. My DH is amused and has suggested that the BBC invent a new programme called Old Woman's Hour. Now what shall we suggest as items? 1940s recipes? Listen with Mother? Tweed jackets and pearl necklaces? Return to the days when women knew their place? Oops I forgot, a brand new item on 'How I made it as a woman in a MALE office'. Rosie the Riveter?

Chewbacca Wed 01-Aug-18 23:30:36

Goodnight Azie09. I just can't get worked up, to the same extent that you do, over a radio programme. Life's too short. moon

Saetana Thu 02-Aug-18 02:09:45

Seriously? Is there still such a thing as "women's hour" in the 21st century? I despair for the future.