The hottest Feminism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Michèle Roberts: The Art of Writing a Cookbook

Vittles • 136 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🍲 Food & Drink Feminism
  1. Cooking is like a creative art form, similar to writing poetry. It's about being attentive and using the right ingredients to create something special.
  2. Understanding and recognizing your own appetite is key to enjoying cooking for yourself. It’s important to treat yourself well, just like you would a dear friend.
  3. Using leftovers can be a fun and creative challenge. It's a way to reduce waste and make something new and delicious from what you already have.

Why big strong men fear tiny feminist gains

Sex and the State • 41 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Feminism
  1. People tend to focus more on what they lose rather than what they gain. So, when men feel they are losing power, they react strongly, even if women are gaining just a little.
  2. Men generally care more about power and status compared to women. This difference in concern leads to tensions when women gain status that men feel they are losing.
  3. Cultural norms about men being the breadwinners make any perceived loss in status more distressing for men. When things change, men often feel they have more to lose, which contributes to backlash against women's advances.

The Red-Pill Delusion About Women

Erik Examines • 89 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. Women have always been active in choosing their partners, not just passive victims. Relationships involve love and emotional connections, not just power dynamics.
  2. Both men and women experience sexual desire, and female desire is often influenced by emotional connections and cultural factors. It's wrong to see women as simply waiting for men to take charge.
  3. Modern dating challenges are not because women are too free, but because some men struggle with women's independence and equality. Healthy relationships should be based on mutual respect and understanding.

Lift the weight

blurry electron • 39 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Feminism
  1. The right and left shouldn't always be in conflict, there are tools for progress
  2. The future isn't about battling between masculine and feminine, it's about unity
  3. Don't blame women or weights for challenges, see them as opportunities for growth

Feminists can center men a little, as a treat

Sex and the State • 44 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. Decentering men is really about building strong connections with others. It's important to have a supportive community instead of relying solely on one person for emotional needs.
  2. Being in a committed relationship can still align with feminist values. It's okay to center a partner if that relationship is healthy and reciprocal.
  3. Love should be about wanting what’s best for each other, even if it means making tough choices. Trust and mutual respect in relationships lead to deeper intimacy.
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Marriage is down because it’s bad for women

Sex and the State • 50 implied HN points • 29 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Feminism
  1. Marriage rates are dropping because many women feel it's a bad deal for them. They are reassessing what marriage offers compared to being single.
  2. Women in the lower half of income and education often find their potential partners don't offer enough benefits in a marriage. These women are realizing they are better off remaining single.
  3. In general, marriage tends to benefit men more than women. This imbalance is particularly pronounced in marriages involving lower-income men, making marriage less appealing for women.

I Support Women in the Workplace for the Same Reason I Oppose DEI

I Might Be Wrong • 11 implied HN points • 14 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. Having more women in the workplace can lead to a more empathetic and cohesive environment. It's important to acknowledge these positive traits rather than seeing them as a problem.
  2. The idea that hiring too many women harms organizations is misguided and overlooks the benefits women bring to teams.
  3. Critics of diversity programs often use flawed logic. It's crucial to engage in discussions about workplace inclusion without dismissing women's contributions.

Gay men on "Team Terf"

Disaffected Newsletter • 279 implied HN points • 03 Aug 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Feminism
  1. Some gay men align with TERF views, but they may not be safe from backlash themselves. Being part of this group does not guarantee protection from criticism or attacks.
  2. The argument suggests that TERFs see men, including gay men, as tools for their own ideology. Men are viewed as accessories rather than equals in this perspective.
  3. Once gay men express views that contradict TERF beliefs, they risk being labeled as misogynists and face social media consequences. Their support can quickly turn to hostility.

Mutual Mistrust

Disaffected Newsletter • 319 implied HN points • 03 Jun 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Feminism
  1. There's a feeling of mistrust between different groups of people, like men and feminists. This mistrust often makes conversations difficult.
  2. Some feminists believe women only have power if they are equal to men in certain roles. However, many women hold power in cultural ways that might be overlooked.
  3. When men express their opinions, they can often be treated with condescendence by feminist women. This reaction reinforces the cycle of mutual mistrust.

Tara Reade, Christine Blassey Ford, and the bleak limitations of pettiness feminism

White Hot Harlots • 19 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Feminism
  1. Proving accusations in criminal cases, especially those of sexual assault that happened years earlier, remains extremely challenging and often lacks definitive evidence for legal action.
  2. The era ushered in by the Trump administration led to a deeply held belief that women's accusations of sexual misconduct should be believed without question, disregarding traditional standards of evidence and due process.
  3. The treatment of Tara Reade and Christine Blassey Ford highlights the disparity in how women are treated based on who they accuse, showing the flaws in the MeToo and BelieveWomen movements.

A Modest Proposal: Compulsory Vasectomies

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 78 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. Women often feel pressure from their biological clocks, which affects their personal and career choices. They take measures like freezing eggs to manage this pressure.
  2. Unlike women, men can father children well into older age, creating a mismatch in timelines for starting families. This can lead to added stress and complications for women.
  3. Instead of focusing on ways to slow women's biological clocks, we could consider ideas that would balance these timelines, like making men more responsible for family planning.

The Long History of Magical Fluids

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Feminism
  1. Ectoplasm is described as a mysterious, quasi-physical substance said to bridge spirit and matter, often pictured as a milky, fabric-like or vaporous material and likened metaphorically to plasma or life-force.
  2. Some occult thinkers claim female sexual or reproductive energy produces this etheric substrate, making women the ritual bridge to spirits, and they even frame modern online sex work as an unconscious form of sex-magic that pours out that energy.
  3. Investigations and skeptics found many ectoplasm cases were staged with cloth, egg white, wax, or other tricks, so there is no solid empirical evidence, even though spiritualism also served historically as a space for women's leadership and empowerment.

Gen X Women: The Forgotten Barbie Movie Audience

The Reclamation Era • 79 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. Gen X women are often overlooked, especially regarding popular culture like movies. Many believe that younger generations are the main audiences, but Gen X has significant feelings about these films too.
  2. Watching the Barbie movie brought a mix of laughter and emotions for Gen X women. They connected deeply with its themes, relating to their own experiences as moms and through midlife challenges.
  3. The movie resonates with older women who feel seen and heard, emphasizing the importance of their perspectives. Their reactions show that they have rich stories and feelings that matter, even if they're not always highlighted.

The problem with "choice feminism"

Sex and the State • 35 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. Choice feminism focuses on individual empowerment but often ignores deeper systemic issues like sexism. It helps some women, but it doesn't address the root problems.
  2. Radical feminists criticize choice feminism for its lack of focus on community and systemic change. They believe real solutions come from tackling the underlying inequalities, not just individual strategies.
  3. The current system benefits those in power, and choice feminism can inadvertently support the status quo. Real change requires collaboration and understanding of the broader social context.

Everyone wants a male breadwinner

Sex and the State • 38 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Feminism
  1. Many people still believe in a male breadwinner model where the man earns money while the woman takes care of the home. This belief can create pressure and expectations in relationships.
  2. Research shows that marriages where women earn more than men can lead to more stress and higher chances of divorce. This hints that traditional gender roles still have a strong influence on people's decisions.
  3. Challenging the idea that men should always be the main earners could help improve marriage quality and financial outcomes for families. It's worth reconsidering these old norms for better relationships.

FIFA Women’s World Cup Hijacked by Fourth Wave Feminism

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 59 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Feminism
  1. Fourth Wave Feminism hijacking the FIFA Women’s World Cup, turning it into a platform for identity politics and woke Neo-Marxism.
  2. Channel 9's portrayal of women's economic power at odds with the reality of corporate influence and manipulation in cultural narratives.
  3. The societal dynamics suggest that women have cultural and social power but do not face oppression, despite the narrative pushed by certain media outlets.

Two End-of-Year Talks: bell hooks' Labors of Love and the Power of the Humanities

Humanities in Revolt • 119 implied HN points • 15 Nov 22
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. bell hooks emphasized the importance of love as a transformative force in social justice movements, but faced skepticism, especially from younger audiences.
  2. Upcoming presentations will focus on bell hooks' contributions to feminist thought and the power of humanities in understanding existential priorities.
  3. The talks will be open to the public, offer insights into human oppression, and emphasize the value of humanities in shaping our perspectives on living well.

Movie Corner

The Golden Notebooks • 58 implied HN points • 22 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. The writer enjoys watching documentaries directed by women with feminist themes.
  2. The documentary 'All the Beauty and the Bloodshed' is praised for its impactful storytelling and visual contrast.
  3. The movie 'Barbie' is viewed through the perspective of a child, exploring the relationship between imagination and reality.

Are Women Equally Violent to Men?

Erik Examines • 89 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Feminism
  1. Research shows that women in history, specifically queens, actually expanded territories more than kings. This suggests that while women may have engaged in wars, they were also effective leaders capable of achieving significant goals.
  2. Many claims about women being equally violent as men lack context. Particularly in relationships, women often use violence defensively or due to past trauma, rather than to control or dominate.
  3. The narrative that men are the real victims in domestic violence overlooks the reality that women face greater threats from their partners. Men typically use violence to control women, making it harder for women to leave abusive situations.

Walking While Woman

Ladyparts • 219 implied HN points • 12 May 22
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. Walking can be a way to clear the mind and shake off stress.
  2. Pregnancy and motherhood can have long-lasting physical impacts on a woman's body.
  3. Attacks on reproductive rights are rooted in misogyny and control over women's bodies.

"It's a male fetish"

Disaffected Newsletter • 239 implied HN points • 30 Jun 22
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. This issue is not just a male problem, as women can also experience similar attractions. It's important to understand that these feelings might stem from specific personality disorders rather than being merely a feature of male identity.
  2. Labeling this behavior as 'male' prevents us from addressing the core psychological issues at play. We need to focus on the mental health aspects rather than assigning blame based on gender.
  3. Ignoring that some women can share these traits keeps us from finding a real solution. Both men and women can have complex psychological challenges that should be openly discussed.

Did feminism make men super vain?

Sex and the State • 24 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. Men are showing more interest in their appearance, with searches for fitness and beauty routines increasing, especially among younger generations. This trend shows changing attitudes about masculinity and self-care.
  2. Women's greater economic independence may influence men's beauty standards, leading them to care more about how they look. In societies where women have more status, men are becoming more focused on physical attractiveness.
  3. Social media and technology are changing how men present themselves, possibly having a bigger impact on male vanity than shifts in women's preferences. Men now see and feel pressure to look good online more than ever.

The upside to losing my looks

Sex and the State • 26 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. As I age, I feel less anxiety about my looks, which is a nice change. I no longer feel pressured to always be beautiful like I did in my younger years.
  2. People often say that women lose their beauty and become invisible as they age. But I feel a sense of freedom and relief from that pressure now.
  3. Growing older means less worry about fitting into tight beauty standards. It feels good to let go of those expectations and simply enjoy who I am.

Everything and Nothing

Men Yell at Me • 246 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. Barbie can be both a toy of creation and destruction for girls
  2. There are different creation myths and interpretations for Barbie, similar to those in Genesis
  3. The Barbie movie reflects on societal expectations of women and the complexities of feminism

Review: Bell Hooks' "Communion"

Bright Morning Stars • 20 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. Men often face conflicting expectations from society. They are pressured to be strong but also need to be sensitive, which can be hard to balance.
  2. bell hooks shows vulnerability in her writing, sharing her own struggles and the complexities of love. This openness is something many people find admirable.
  3. It's important to allow room for growth and change in relationships. Misunderstandings or harsh judgments can hurt both partners and hinder communication.

Why I’m back on OnlyFans

Sex and the State • 58 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. The main reason for returning to OnlyFans is to earn more money. Earning from Substack alone isn't enough to live on, so diversifying income is essential.
  2. Posting adult content also helps reduce the stigma around sex work. It's a way to show that feminist women can choose to do this work confidently.
  3. Storytelling and representation are important. There’s a belief that making adult content can contribute to changing perceptions about gender and sexuality in society.

In Defense of Artificial Reproduction

The 21st Century Proletarian • 59 implied HN points • 15 Jan 23
🏥 Health Politics Feminism
  1. Feminists like Shulamith Firestone have argued for technological advances in reproduction to challenge gender stereotypes and hierarchies.
  2. Rejecting the natural connection between women and motherhood is important to move towards gender equality and eliminate gender distinctions.
  3. Advocating for responsible use of artificial wombs can lead to progress in gender equality, but it should be approached cautiously with a focus on societal well-being.

How the gender pay gap gave me empathy for men

Sex and the State • 61 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Feminism
  1. The gender pay gap is often influenced by personal choices, like marriage and childbirth, rather than just discrimination. It's important to look at how societal expectations shape these choices.
  2. Both men and women face pressures from cultural norms about gender roles. Blaming individuals for broader systemic issues is unfair and ignores the real struggles they face.
  3. Men, especially those struggling in today's society, experience loneliness and pressure to conform to traditional masculinity. Understanding their challenges can help us all work towards a more empathetic society.

Safety Versus Inclusion

Reactionary Feminist • 16 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Feminism
  1. There's a big debate in feminism between those who want to include everyone and those who think keeping women safe in private spaces is more important. This conflict shows how different values can clash in social discussions.
  2. Safety and inclusion are both important to women, but sometimes safety might take the lead when it comes to laws and rules. Many women feel that their safety is being threatened, especially in discussions about immigration.
  3. Recently, more women are voicing their concerns about safety regarding migrant policies. It's changing the way people think about protests, showing that women's voices are crucial in these conversations.

Lily Phillips and the Spreadsheet Egregore

Reactionary Feminist • 59 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. Lily Phillips participated in a shocking stunt where she had sex with 100 men in 24 hours, which left her feeling robotic and dissociated. It shows how extreme pressure from fans can lead to tough emotional experiences.
  2. The idea of 'audience capture' explains how creators like Phillips might feel compelled to meet audience expectations, even if it harms them. This pressure can feel like a form of possession by the desires of her followers.
  3. The concept of 'egregores' suggests that collective desires or expectations can have a powerful impact on individuals. This means that Phillips' choices may not be fully hers, as they are influenced by both online culture and group dynamics.

Our power over their pleasure

Discomfort zone • 39 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Feminism
  1. Be mindful of how good intentions of offering support can unintentionally lead to intrusion and co-dependency.
  2. It's crucial to prioritize defender security in civil society work to ensure the well-being of activists.
  3. Empowerment should focus on promoting equality and liberation for all, rather than creating elites within activist communities.

G is for Gionfriddo

Castalia • 79 implied HN points • 28 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. Gina Gionfriddo is a talented playwright whose works explore complex themes like sexuality and female behavior. Her writing is known for being funny yet dark, tackling subjects that many shy away from.
  2. Despite her early success and critical acclaim, Gionfriddo's career faced challenges, leading to fewer productions in later years. This raises questions about the support and opportunities available for playwrights in today's theater scene.
  3. Her plays often reflect the tensions and anxieties of modern society. Gionfriddo's characters navigate a world filled with both humor and harsh realities, making her work both engaging and thought-provoking.

Curator

Castalia • 99 implied HN points • 11 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. Andrea Dworkin's views on sexuality are becoming more relevant today. She believed that sex could have power dynamics that undermine women's autonomy, sparking renewed interest during movements like MeToo.
  2. Isaac Bashevis Singer valued individual storytelling over collective ideals. He thought that focusing on personal narratives, even if they were uncomfortable or boring, was more truthful and valuable than trying to fit into a socially acceptable mold.
  3. The Guggenheim's recent turmoil reflects the challenges of addressing past injustices. The incident highlights that trying to balance modern expectations with historical context can be tricky, often resulting in conflict rather than resolution.

5 Tough Women Who Debunk the Woke Narrative

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 39 implied HN points • 10 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. Tough, gritty female characters have been present in films for a long time, debunking the notion that women were historically excluded from such roles.
  2. Characters like Laurie Strode, Ellen Ripley, Sarah Conner, Sidney Prescott, and Rose DeWitt Bukater showcase diverse forms of empowered women in cinema.
  3. Believable and multi-dimensional female characters in movies defy stereotypes, showcasing that women can excel in hero roles just like men.

Femininity is a flex for top-half men

Sex and the State • 41 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. Top-half men can safely express femininity without facing the same backlash that bottom-half men do. This difference shows how societal pressure around gender roles varies based on social class.
  2. Many men, particularly from marginalized groups, perform masculinity to protect themselves from real threats of violence. They are often trapped in rigid gender roles that can hurt their personal development.
  3. The divide in how femininity and masculinity are perceived can affect academic success, especially for boys. Those pushed to conform to traditional masculinity may struggle more in school.

Western masculinity as Chinese foot binding

Sex and the State • 41 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. Masculinity can feel like a form of emotional restriction, making it hard for men to share their feelings. This creates loneliness and can lead to harmful behaviors.
  2. Young boys often face societal pressure to act 'masculine,' which forces them to choose between being lonely or risking vulnerability. This leaves them in a tough spot.
  3. Just like foot binding, masculinity can hurt men in ways that aren't immediately obvious. It can prevent them from understanding and expressing their own pain.

Yes, we punish men more for doing gender wrong

Sex and the State • 35 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. Men face stricter punishment for behaving in ways that don't fit traditional masculinity. This makes it harder for them to express themselves freely.
  2. Gender norms restrict men's behavior more than women's, leading to issues like loneliness. Men are often discouraged from showing vulnerability, which is important for forming friendships.
  3. Homophobia plays a big role in loneliness among gay men, as they face discrimination that adds to their struggles. This is tied to the idea that society expects certain behaviors from different genders.

📏 repro/acc?

Reboot • 11 implied HN points • 10 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Feminism
  1. Reproductive technology is rapidly advancing, bringing opportunities like artificial wombs and embryo screening that can change how we think about childbirth.
  2. There are new political discussions around reproductive tech, with different groups pushing for either conservative values or libertarian ideals, which complicates the conversation.
  3. Many women and feminists feel distracted by other issues like abortion rights, leading to a lack of focus on how reproductive tech could improve women's lives.

The Heart Wants Inequality: The Inconvenient Truth of Mate Preference and Its Relevance to Today's Sexual Politics

Holodoxa • 59 implied HN points • 22 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Feminism
  1. Human mating dynamics are influenced by sexual selection and assortative mating, leading to significant social effects over time.
  2. The distribution of socially desirable or economically valued traits is profoundly unequal due to people's freedom to choose their mates, calling for a possible remedy of the mating market's externalities for equality.
  3. Debates on the 'right to sex' are complex within feminist theory, with arguments around consent, agency, objectification, and traditional gender roles.