DollyMix: Dolly Poll: Can baking ever really be feminist?

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Dolly Poll: Can baking ever really be feminist?

Very interesting (and deliciously illustrated, I have to say) piece about the baking/sewing revival and feminism over in the Guardian today.

Can you get on board with the knitting and baking mania that's sweeping a nation of young women? Do you agree with one of their interviewees, that the 50s housewife aesthetic is "very feminine and I find a strength in that femininity." Or are you, like Natasha Walter, concerned we're shutting out men and the possibility of equal labour by fetishing 'womanly' pursuits?

Posted by on August 22, 2008

A look at an inspiring family and how breakfast clubs and after school activities have changed their lives

Comments

I can't really see where feminism comes into it. It's an interest that was once expected to be a solely female pursuit, but tell that to successful male patisserie chefs. Whether you like it or not surely has more to do with your love of food than your gender?

Posted by: Alex | August 22, 2008 11:06 AM

For sure Alex, but (as I should have stressed) I think the Guardian article is talking about the Cath Kidston-style revival of kitsch 1950's housewife aesthetic stuff

Posted by: leila | August 22, 2008 11:11 AM

I do think fetishising one narrow version of femininity can be damaging to women and I hate the idea that I would be expected to be a domestic genius just because I am female. On the other hand, I love a good cupcake.

Posted by: Diane | August 22, 2008 11:26 AM

Aahhh... well, I'm a sucker for that myself. ;)

Posted by: Alex | August 22, 2008 11:29 AM

Personally I don't see what's wrong with wanting pretty Cath Kidson type things in your kitchen - you can be a feminist and like pretty things as well we know!

The Hairy Drummer has no issue using all my pink and flowery kitchen stuff. We split the day to day cooking and housework but I make the cakes because a) I'm better than he is at it and b) I actually like doing it! There can be too much analysis of stuff sometimes!

Posted by: SelinaC | August 22, 2008 3:34 PM

It's hard to class it as feminist, as that makes almost anything done by choice a feminist act. However, there is something to be said about women undertaking group activities, whether sport or knitting, that I think can be positive. It is quite difficult to find an environment where women feel good about being women, and are basically having a laugh.

This kind of kitsch revival will only ever be undertaken by middle class women in an ironic fashion - they're quite unlikely to find themselves forced into domestic slavery, and if they do, are equally likely to kick up a fuss about it.

Elizabeth Young (who wrote Pandora's Handbag) is a hero of mine. She has an article in there that basically says, "The 50s were DRUDGERY. Women were treated like children or idiots - constantly patronised and forced into boring, limited lives. Don't romanticise the '50s!". Yet she also had an obsession with all things pink and glittery... We can't rubber stamp anything traditionally feminine with DANGEROUS out of feminist concern and not expect people to find that a bit funny.

Posted by: Kirstin | August 28, 2008 7:25 PM

good post

Posted by: ama | September 3, 2008 4:13 PM