The hottest Gender Issues Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health Politics Topics

New Zealand's Midwifery Council banishes the words 'mother' and 'woman'.

A B’Old Woman • 219 implied HN points • 12 Nov 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. The New Zealand Midwifery Council has decided to stop using the words 'mother' and 'woman' in their guidelines. This change raises concerns since these terms are central to midwifery.
  2. Most people giving birth identify as women, so removing these words could make midwifery less clear and less welcoming for many parents.
  3. The council has invited public feedback on this decision, but it seems odd that they didn’t consult the women and mothers most affected by these changes beforehand.

Did Jacinda Ardern inspect David Seymour’s genitals before calling him “an arrogant prick”?

A B’Old Woman • 199 implied HN points • 15 Dec 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Using the word 'prick' is traditionally aimed at men, and it raises questions about assumptions made about gender. The author humorously suggests that if someone might not present as male, should we be cautious about our language?
  2. The idea of needing to inspect someone's genitals to determine their gender is highlighted as absurd. Many believe we can recognize gender based on social cues and experiences.
  3. There’s a conflict in how society views gender and language, especially when it comes to terms that might seem offensive or outdated. The piece stresses that understanding gender requires more than just looking at physical traits.

TERF Club!

A B’Old Woman • 199 implied HN points • 20 Nov 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. TERF Club cards are being spotted in public places, creating buzz and discussion online. It's interesting how a simple card can spark such strong reactions.
  2. The term 'TERF Club' originated from a casual tweet and has been turned into a movement by a dedicated team. It shows how a small idea can grow into something bigger.
  3. The cards not only promote the TERF message but also guide people to more information on related events. It's a clever way to engage people who find the cards.

Gussie Grips rips Scottish Parliament a new a-hole.

A B’Old Woman • 179 implied HN points • 26 Dec 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. A recent change in Scottish law makes it easier for people to change their legal gender. This has raised concerns about whether it will affect single-sex spaces.
  2. Elaine Miller protested against these reforms by making a bold statement in Parliament. She used a shock tactic to draw attention to her message.
  3. The protest sparked mixed reactions online. While some supported her boldness, others found it inappropriate, showing the divide on the issue of gender and sex rights.

The GOP actually hates Republican voters

Sex and the State • 32 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. The GOP is making cuts to summer and after-school programs that help boys, while giving tax breaks to the wealthy. This is hurting the very voters who support them.
  2. There’s a belief that schools are biased against boys, but that's not true; boys are actually struggling because of poverty and educational inequality.
  3. Many Republican voters may not realize that their party's actions often harm them. There's a disconnect between what they believe and what policies are actually being pursued.
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You Brought This On Yourself

Disaffected Newsletter • 259 implied HN points • 15 Aug 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Feminists are facing harassment from other women for opposing certain views, highlighting a division in the movement.
  2. The closure of a controversial clinic in the UK is a step forward, but challenges still remain.
  3. There was a recent TV segment that raised concerns about a serious issue, but many people seemed unaware or indifferent to it.

Are Women Equally Violent to Men?

Erik Examines • 89 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  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.

"It's a male fetish"

Disaffected Newsletter • 239 implied HN points • 30 Jun 22
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues
  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.

Scientific Rigor versus Rigor Posturing

Unsafe Science • 30 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🔬 Science Gender Issues
  1. Some studies claim there's bias against women in science hiring, but newer research suggests the opposite might be true.
  2. It's important to distinguish between real scientific rigor and just pretending to be rigorous.
  3. Replication of studies helps verify results, and sometimes new data can completely change our understanding of biases in science.

Breast binders for 13-year-old girls funded by RainbowYOUTH NZ

A B’Old Woman • 139 implied HN points • 05 Dec 22
🏥 Health Politics Gender Issues
  1. RainbowYOUTH NZ provides breast binders to 13-year-old girls without needing parental permission. This raises questions about parental rights and the safety of the children.
  2. Breast binders can be harmful, as they may lead to health issues like breathing difficulties and back pain. They are similar to old-fashioned corsets that shape the body unnaturally.
  3. There are concerns about the ethics of giving potentially harmful items to minors. Some people wonder if organizations like RainbowYOUTH truly have the best interests of young people in mind.

90th minute and the home team is 1-0 up…

Klement on Investing • 2 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
🎾 Sports Gender Issues
  1. Crowd noise and spectator pressure shape referees' decisions, creating a home-field advantage; referees add more stoppage time in close matches and the bias grows with bigger crowds.
  2. Female referees are more likely than male referees to be swayed by audience pressure, often awarding less stoppage time when the home team leads by one goal, which benefits the home side.
  3. Among female referees, younger and less experienced officials are especially prone to yielding to social pressure, while older referees are less affected.

Advocating for Your Work

The Uncommon Executive • 19 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
💼 Business Gender Issues
  1. Advocating for your work is essential for recognition and advancement in your career, especially for women and minorities who may face additional challenges in being acknowledged for their contributions.
  2. Celebrate delivering projects as expected and on time to increase visibility and recognition within the organization, even if you excel at preventing issues before they arise.
  3. Finding different methods to share your achievements like framing them as best practices or thanking collaborators can help in ensuring your wins are seen and appreciated by others.

Our intelligentsia has abandoned our illiterati

Sex and the State • 58 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Many young men who don’t read much are being influenced by certain podcasters, which is a concern for progressives trying to win elections.
  2. These podcasts often focus on entertainment rather than politics, appealing to men who might not engage with more traditional media.
  3. There is a need for more relatable and engaging political messaging to connect with young men in the lower educated and income brackets, especially from the left.

Making room for misogyny in sex

Sex and the State • 21 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues
  1. People can struggle with wanting to be close to someone, like wanting to be intimate with a man, while also hating the negative attitudes towards women that some men hold.
  2. This situation can feel impossible, like wanting peanut butter without the peanuts; you can't have one without the other in this context.
  3. The idea implies that misogyny is so intertwined with being a man that separating them seems really difficult or even unrealistic.

How the gender pay gap gave me empathy for men

Sex and the State • 61 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  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 Gender Issues
  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.

Boys are more delicate than girls

Sex and the State • 53 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Boys are more affected by their family situations than girls. A stable family life can greatly improve boys' future job prospects.
  2. Growing up in poverty and single-parent households has a bigger negative impact on boys. They tend to struggle more in school and with behavior compared to girls in similar situations.
  3. Many people, regardless of their political views, are worried about boys' futures. Society generally believes we need to do more to help boys succeed.

4B Is Magnificently Reactionary

Reactionary Feminist • 63 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. The 4B movement encourages women to stop dating, having sex, and having babies as a form of protest. It's a way for some women to regain control over their lives and choices.
  2. This movement challenges the idea that desire should be completely free and unrestrained. By practicing self-discipline, women might find new opportunities for meaningful relationships.
  3. Participating in the 4B pledge may spark romantic feelings as women step back from casual hookups. It's possible that instead of staying single, they could find genuine love.

Femininity is a flex for top-half men

Sex and the State • 41 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues
  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.

Experimental Meds to Spice Things Up in the Bedroom

Torture Chamber Small Talk • 199 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Gender Issues
  1. Men might soon have their own birth control pill, which is a big deal and could change the contraceptive game.
  2. Women are feeling bitter about the male birth control pill being non-hormonal and side-effect-free, while they have dealt with hormonal contraception for years.
  3. The introduction of a male birth control pill raises questions about societal views on control over contraceptive matters and may shift responsibilities in relationships.

It was "just what you had to do"

The Shift With Sam Baker • 99 implied HN points • 05 May 22
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues
  1. Reflecting on what we tolerated before and wouldn't accept now, can be eye-opening
  2. The ways older generations dealt with difficult situations might not be appropriate or accepted today
  3. The issue of sexual harassment and how it was perceived in the past compared to now is an evolving conversation

Female rage.

Default Wisdom • 210 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues
  1. The post discusses the topic of female rage following a shooting in Nashville.
  2. The author mentions upcoming guest and archival posts for the next week.
  3. The post is only fully accessible to paid subscribers.

Western masculinity as Chinese foot binding

Sex and the State • 41 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues
  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 Gender Issues
  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.

No, incels, women are not “too shallow”

Sex and the State • 32 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues
  1. Women value different traits than looks when choosing partners. They often prioritize status over physical appearance.
  2. The idea that women are too shallow for ugly men is not true. Most women don't typically have casual sex with anyone, regardless of looks.
  3. Improving social skills and personality can lead to better relationships. Many men focus too much on looks instead of what really matters in attracting partners.

Repost: The Gender in Sports Debate Gets Even More Confused (Which Didn't Seem Possible)

I Might Be Wrong • 3 implied HN points • 19 Nov 25
🎾 Sports Gender Issues
  1. The debate around transgender athletes in sports has mixed up issues of gender identity and differences in sex development, leading to confusion in how athletes are classified and treated.
  2. Organizations like the IOC have made rules about gender eligibility that seem inconsistent and may not prioritize fair competition, raising concerns about safety and equity in sports.
  3. There’s a risk that focusing solely on identity without rigorous standards could allow someone to exploit the system, which undermines the integrity of women's sports.

No Sex and the City

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 26 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Dating and relationships are changing, with fewer people getting married and starting families. This is partly due to the pressures of a modern economy and changing social norms.
  2. Women are increasingly entering the workforce and seeking partners who can match their ambitions, while many men are struggling to meet these expectations. This has led to more women opting for single motherhood.
  3. Economic factors, like housing costs and childcare expenses, heavily influence people's decisions about having families. Many people want financial stability before committing to marriage and children.

Controversial opinion: Democrats can win men back

Sex and the State • 23 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Democrats need to focus more on winning back male voters if they want to be successful. Many believe that focusing only on women has caused the party to lose touch with men.
  2. There is evidence that some men are feeling left behind and more reactionary. Democrats should engage these men and offer them better alternatives to the right's messaging.
  3. It’s important for the Democrats to change their approach and focus on broader issues that matter to men, rather than just cultural or gender debates. They need to present realistic solutions that appeal to all voters.

Ending the Gender Wars

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 10 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues
  1. Men today are pulling away from deep connections and intimacy, often choosing to interact online instead of face-to-face. This lack of real-life engagement is troubling and calls for a return to meaningful relationships.
  2. There's a growing issue of male identity tied to societal changes, with many men feeling lost and disconnected. This leads to serious mental health struggles and even harmful behaviors, highlighting the need for a better understanding of their challenges.
  3. To foster peace and harmony between genders, we must shift from competition to collaboration in our relationships. This change requires effort from both men and women to redefine how they approach love, intimacy, and emotional connection.

Fox Sports Mess Yields Era of #SheToo?

House of Strauss • 27 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🎾 Sports Gender Issues
  1. There are sexual harassment allegations happening at Fox Sports, which are causing a big stir. Many are curious about how this will affect the people involved, especially Joy Taylor.
  2. The situation highlights a larger issue in the workplace, showing that women often face challenges and harassment. This is sparking discussions about the need for change, similar to the #MeToo movement.
  3. It's important for companies to take these allegations seriously and create safer environments for everyone. The hope is that transparency and accountability will lead to improvements.

The New York Times is lowkey anti-gender

Sex and the State • 32 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. The New York Times published an essay arguing against traditional masculinity, suggesting positive masculinity doesn't fix deeper issues faced by boys. It points out that boys feel immense pressure to act a certain way.
  2. The essay claims we need to rethink and possibly eliminate the concept of masculinity altogether to address the real problems men and boys face.
  3. Some conservative media criticized the essay as part of a supposed 'war on masculinity,' but the author found value in it despite suggesting a slight change.

Have You Heard This Annoying Expression?

The Reclamation Era • 39 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues
  1. The phrase 'taking a selfish' is seen as a demeaning way to describe women taking care of themselves. It makes self-care sound bad or wrong.
  2. Women often shrink their choices to trendy terms instead of proudly pursuing what makes them happy. This reflects societal pressures and expectations.
  3. It's important to recognize that self-care decisions shouldn't be labeled as selfish, especially when men rarely face the same judgement for doing things they enjoy.

How Black women gave me empathy for young men

Sex and the State • 18 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Listening to Black women is essential for understanding complex social issues. They provide unique insights that can help broaden perspectives.
  2. There is a need to empathize with young men and learn about their struggles. Ignoring their voices can lead to misunderstanding their experiences.
  3. Tone matters in discussions about sensitive topics. It's important to focus on understanding others rather than getting defensive about their expressions of frustration.

Not the First Female President

Natural Selections • 18 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Definitions of sex should clarify that females are those who produce eggs and males produce sperm. It's about biology, not ideology.
  2. The recent executive order emphasizes 'immutable' biological sex, arguing against perspectives that suggest sex is not binary.
  3. Critics misunderstand the order, thinking it could legally declare everyone as female, which isn't true or scientifically accurate.

Why I buy the male victimhood narrative

Sex and the State • 21 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues
  1. Some people think that men can also be victims in society. This idea challenges how we usually think about gender roles.
  2. Believing in male victimhood can spark discussions about fairness and equality. It shows that men can face issues too, just like women.
  3. Talk about male victimhood can be divisive, but it's important to understand different perspectives. Listening to everyone's experiences creates a better conversation.

Fear makes men stupid and anti-feminist

Sex and the State • 19 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues
  1. Fear is a major factor that drives sexism, more than hate. It affects how people see and react to each other.
  2. Some individuals may struggle with feelings of fear towards women, which can coexist with their beliefs in feminism.
  3. Understanding the role of fear in gender dynamics can help address and reduce sexist attitudes in society.

Two reasons to care about boys and men

Sex and the State • 18 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. It's important to care about boys and men because they face challenges that need attention. Recognizing these challenges can help improve their well-being.
  2. Supporting boys and men can lead to better outcomes for society as a whole. When they thrive, everyone benefits.
  3. Having open discussions about the needs and struggles of boys and men encourages understanding and can lead to positive changes. Communication is key.

Self-serving bias, ingroup bias, and what the left forgets about bottom-half men

Sex and the State • 16 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. People with college degrees have a much longer life expectancy than those without in cities like Minneapolis, showing a big divide in health outcomes.
  2. The right often blames personal choices for lower life expectancy, while the left points to systemic barriers that make healthy living harder for lower-income individuals.
  3. Medical care and outcomes can be less effective for people of color, as they are underrepresented in clinical trials, leading to safety and effectiveness issues.