Lizzie - I am fascinated that you think feminism could even be considered to have been so influential that all the ills of modern western society can be laid at its doorstep.

There are as many different "feminisms" as there are women who have thought about the politics and power relationships regarding gender, all around the globe. I still regard myself as a feminist and proud to be. I do not hate men - I hate social enequalities that mean that some groups in some societies are impoverished, persecuted, die younger and have no or little access to health, education, sanitation or basic civil rights. I believe in HUMAN rights, not just rights for women at the expense of children and men.

The kind of feminism you seem to be ranting about is one VERY narrow western white version that sprang from the likes of Betty Friedan's writing, that did indeed lobby for the chance to get away from being housewives and to have choices about education, career, contraception etc. It is mainly white, middle class women who were in that position in the 50s and 60s. Working class women (both white and women of colour) the world over have usually had to combine child rearing with enconomic activity, since time immemorial.

As for the original topic of this thread; I will be playing support to RD later in the year, so I await the experience with open minded curiosity now..........