Overall, Girl Up addresses important areas surrounding feminism in the contemporary age and lays out some of the key tenets in a clear and amusing way. For the most part it is a rousing, inspiring, funny and approachable book. Laura Bates has achieved a chatty and informal style that allows readers of different levels to enjoy.
Using her own experiences and the achievements of other women, as well as information from her ‘everyday sexism’ project, Bates exposes the glaring inequalities in society. In doing so she breaks down many misconceptions and obliterates anti-feminist arguments by showing the utter ridiculousness of their backwards logic. Bates doesn’t group all men as oppressors, but highlights how they still benefit from the patriarchal structure of society, whilst simultaneously suffering under the heavily imposed gender expectations we all currently face. A lot of work has gone into Girl Up to teach young people how to counter the sexist, confused logic that puts women in a box of being called ‘sluts and whores’ and also ‘frigid and prudish’. Additionally, Bates makes sure that the gender inequality issues faced by men are not omitted, but reinforces the message that women are the focus because systematic and institutional sexism affects all aspects of women’s lives.
Intersectional feminism is promoted and discussed, particularly in the last chapter. However, more could have been done to include detailed narratives about lower-class women, trans women and women of colour rather than some quite repetitive messages about the vagina.
There are disclaimers and terms explained in the first chapter but I found that the last chapter – ‘girl up’ – would have been useful at the start as it clearly outlines Bates’ standing. Although I understand the main book being sandwiched by theory I think it would have been more beneficial to have everything laid out at the beginning to minimise the amount of repetition.
An early part of the book gives accounts of five women from history who have challenged authority and made progress by successfully subverting gender expectations by doing something outside of the traditional boundaries. Whilst I appreciate the attempt to show the back-history of feminism, and how these women can be inspirational, her praise of Gertrude Bell’s accomplishments typifies the lack of critical analysis that is at some points glaring in Girl Up. Although her achievements in travel, archaeology and politics are undeniable, Bates describes Bell as ‘a general all-round legend’ and ‘giving no fucks at all for sexist norms’. Bates is entitled to her own opinion, but there is no mention of the fact that Bell was notoriously anti-suffrage and was the secretary of the Women’s National Anti-Suffrage League. Bell felt that she couldn’t support universal suffrage, because she also had adverse and controversial opinions about lower-classes and their right to vote. Ideally Bates would have addressed Bell’s successes whilst also including some much needed criticism of her political stance. This similar pattern of not critically analysing people, arguments or concepts, in order to only highlight the best side, makes this book a difficult read for anyone well-versed in feminist theory.
That being said, Girl Up is intended as an enlightenment of a sexist society. It allows readers to understand the negative effects orchestrated by a patriarchal society and how it is not the way things have to be. It offers reassurance to those feeling insecure and down-trodden about their minds, bodies and expectations. For a starter book this serves an excellent introduction and gives a ray of hope to young people. Considering it is only one book she addresses enough important topics to have a significant impact. No work no matter how helpful or with good intentions can be perfect. The criticism is always intended to be constructive and necessary to keep feminist debates in the current mindset moving towards a future of genuine equality.
Millie
howthesewomenseeit.wordpress.com 