I read an article the other day that I think is seriously not so savvy. As I read, something my mother says kept going through my head: ‘That’s just crazy talk’.
The article, Why Blogs for Women are Bad for Women, by Susannah Breslin, makes the argument that by targeting women specifically, and dealing with female-only topics, ‘women’s blogs’ are effectively taking their audience out of the mainstream conversation. She goes on to say women complain and settle for mediocrity and bloggers are all too sympathetic. In Breslin’s words, ‘They appease you. They don’t ask you to think; they tell you what you want to hear’.
Let’s have a closer look at Ms. Breslin’s arguments, shall we?
Blogs for Women Take Women Out of the Mainstream
Really? We’re still worried about being left out of the conversation with the big boys? I thought we were so over that. The very act of complaining women are being left out is one of the things that leaves us out. The good news is that in this day and age, we can actually choose and from where I’m standing, women bloggers have made their choice. They didn’t start the conversation among themselves because they were kicked out of the boys’ club; they just started talking because they had common interests.
Women Bloggers Are Too Nice to Each Other
And her point is…? Here’s the thing–women bloggers are having conversations with each other and that makes them a different breed of writer (think dialogue) from those who write for mainstream media. Maybe Ms. Breslin needs to adjust her expectations.
Let’s review. Blogs are the original form of social media and the first online dialogue for all kinds of groups. If we view them as a conversation, we should also remember that women have been talking to each other and supporting each other in whatever ‘appeasing’ way they have done for centuries and then some. We’re women, we talk. It’s what we do.
If a woman is looking for reassurance, information or support, she can go to a neighbour, a sister, a friend. She can also go online. It’s just another place for people to connect. Is Ms. Breslin essentially saying women shouldn’t talk to each other because they just ‘appease’ each other rather than attend to weightier issues? I’m thinking maybe she’s never been a part of a group of moms standing around on the playground after school drop off. If that’s the case, her loss.
Whether it’s online or off, the conversations are going to take place, so be nice and stop judging. Moms don’t have time for that.
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The character Hilly is played by Bryce Dallas Howard, daughter of Ron Howard.
You can only expect the best!
Oh, and Minnow…everyone is freaking in my newsroom b/c they think it’s my picture, not yours :)
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