Victoria Smith
@glosswitch.bsky.social
Feminist. Author of Hags: The Demonisation of Middle-aged Women and Unkind: How 'Be Kind' Entrenched Sexism. Totally cheery apart from all that.
Pinned
Victoria Smith
@glosswitch.bsky.social
· Nov 26
Proof copies of my book! (Plus the grumpy Little My doll that my partner bought me for *no reason whatsoever*) Pre-order here! geni.us/Unkind
Reposted by Victoria Smith
𝗨𝗻𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱, by the glorious Victoria Smith, reviewed by Therese Doherty @offeringsfromthewellspring
Rule one of self-esteem: become what you are proud of and others will esteem you.
#bookreview #feminist #emotionallabor #mentalload #UnKind
www.medusarising.org/p/1af16609-4...
Rule one of self-esteem: become what you are proud of and others will esteem you.
#bookreview #feminist #emotionallabor #mentalload #UnKind
www.medusarising.org/p/1af16609-4...
The Newest, Shiniest Kindness: A Review of (Un)kind | by Therese Doherty
The core of the issue is "that women cannot be defined in terms of their own interests, only those of others."
www.medusarising.org
June 5, 2025 at 4:20 PM
𝗨𝗻𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱, by the glorious Victoria Smith, reviewed by Therese Doherty @offeringsfromthewellspring
Rule one of self-esteem: become what you are proud of and others will esteem you.
#bookreview #feminist #emotionallabor #mentalload #UnKind
www.medusarising.org/p/1af16609-4...
Rule one of self-esteem: become what you are proud of and others will esteem you.
#bookreview #feminist #emotionallabor #mentalload #UnKind
www.medusarising.org/p/1af16609-4...
Good to be reminded why I wrote Hags. Older women already shoulder a disproportionate burden of work (paid and unpaid). "Nothing better to do" means, I guess, "shouldn't be doing politics, and certainly shouldn't be celebrating any political gains"
April 17, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Good to be reminded why I wrote Hags. Older women already shoulder a disproportionate burden of work (paid and unpaid). "Nothing better to do" means, I guess, "shouldn't be doing politics, and certainly shouldn't be celebrating any political gains"
Reposted by Victoria Smith
📢 Our Summer season is live, running April to July, with talks on how kindness is used to control women @glosswitch.bsky.social, rising inequality, an inspiring vision for the future @robintransition.bsky.social, true crime obsession and so much more!
🎟️ Book now: www.conwayhall.org.uk/whats-on/
🎟️ Book now: www.conwayhall.org.uk/whats-on/
March 13, 2025 at 4:23 PM
📢 Our Summer season is live, running April to July, with talks on how kindness is used to control women @glosswitch.bsky.social, rising inequality, an inspiring vision for the future @robintransition.bsky.social, true crime obsession and so much more!
🎟️ Book now: www.conwayhall.org.uk/whats-on/
🎟️ Book now: www.conwayhall.org.uk/whats-on/
Reposted by Victoria Smith
If we really want to help boys & men be happier, … we could forge a different & more +ve outlook on masculinity … focus less on how men are purportedly hard done by & emasculated …, & more on genuinely fulfilling opportunities open to them in this brave new world. substack.com/home/post/p-...
Telling boys and men that they're disadvantaged only hinders them further - and, anyway, it's not true
There are a set of beliefs about gender that are almost ubiquitous across the political spectrum, from left to right, from feminists to men’s rights activists.
substack.com
March 13, 2025 at 10:19 PM
If we really want to help boys & men be happier, … we could forge a different & more +ve outlook on masculinity … focus less on how men are purportedly hard done by & emasculated …, & more on genuinely fulfilling opportunities open to them in this brave new world. substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by Victoria Smith
This feels like a trap.
March 13, 2025 at 9:00 PM
This feels like a trap.
Reposted by Victoria Smith
Thank you total legend @glosswitch.bsky.social for endorsing Flipping Patriarchy. "I loved this book! Funny & insightful, but also fiercely radical, highlighting all the subtle & not-so-subtle ways in which 'empowerment' and 'be kind' narratives justify women's exploitation & damage our self-esteem"
March 13, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Thank you total legend @glosswitch.bsky.social for endorsing Flipping Patriarchy. "I loved this book! Funny & insightful, but also fiercely radical, highlighting all the subtle & not-so-subtle ways in which 'empowerment' and 'be kind' narratives justify women's exploitation & damage our self-esteem"
Really looking forward to this Saturday's event! (Worry a bit about 'in conversation' sounding self-important. But obviously not enough to shut up)
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-convers...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-convers...
In Conversation with Victoria Smith
Eventbrite - Rochester LitFest presents In Conversation with Victoria Smith - Saturday, March 15, 2025 at The Salvation Army, Rochester, England. Find event and ticket information.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
March 13, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Really looking forward to this Saturday's event! (Worry a bit about 'in conversation' sounding self-important. But obviously not enough to shut up)
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-convers...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-convers...
Reposted by Victoria Smith
We’re constantly being told that our present moment is one of crisis: a ‘silent epidemic’ of male unhappiness.
This myth has numerous threads.
Chief among them is that boys are underperforming in a schooling system that’s biased towards girls’ aptitudes.
There are further claims:
This myth has numerous threads.
Chief among them is that boys are underperforming in a schooling system that’s biased towards girls’ aptitudes.
There are further claims:
March 11, 2025 at 1:13 PM
We’re constantly being told that our present moment is one of crisis: a ‘silent epidemic’ of male unhappiness.
This myth has numerous threads.
Chief among them is that boys are underperforming in a schooling system that’s biased towards girls’ aptitudes.
There are further claims:
This myth has numerous threads.
Chief among them is that boys are underperforming in a schooling system that’s biased towards girls’ aptitudes.
There are further claims:
I'm at Conway Hall on 10th April, discussing the pitfalls of #justbekind. Join me! www.conwayhall.org.uk/whats-on/eve...
(Un)Kind: How 'Be Kind' Entrenches Sexism - Conway Hall
Using the #JustBeKind trend of the 2020s as a starting point, Victoria Smith, author of the bestseller Hags, explores how traditional beliefs about women's 'kind' nature have been repackaged for an ag...
www.conwayhall.org.uk
March 3, 2025 at 6:53 PM
I'm at Conway Hall on 10th April, discussing the pitfalls of #justbekind. Join me! www.conwayhall.org.uk/whats-on/eve...
Less than two weeks to go! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-convers...
In Conversation with Victoria Smith
The author of 'Hags: The demonization of middle-aged women', and new book, (Un)Kind, Victoria explores the many issues women deal with.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
March 3, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Less than two weeks to go! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-convers...
I wrote about the persistence of cruel attitudes and treatments for anorexia sufferers, at a time when we are meant to be 'more enlightened' about eating disorders thecritic.co.uk/why-are-anor...
Why are anorexia sufferers still treated so badly? | Victoria Smith | The Critic Magazine
In her 1986 book Hunger Strike, the feminist psychotherapist Susie Orbach highlighted the problem of hostile, abusive and above all ineffective treatments for anorexia sufferers. Such treatments…
thecritic.co.uk
February 19, 2025 at 6:49 AM
I wrote about the persistence of cruel attitudes and treatments for anorexia sufferers, at a time when we are meant to be 'more enlightened' about eating disorders thecritic.co.uk/why-are-anor...
Really enjoyed taking part in this, on Wages for Housework, men's attitudes to feminism and Unkind! (After spending weeks panicking about it...)
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Start the Week, Wages for Housework – then and now
Shahidha Bari with Emily Callaci, Rosie Campbell and Victoria Smith
www.bbc.co.uk
February 10, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Really enjoyed taking part in this, on Wages for Housework, men's attitudes to feminism and Unkind! (After spending weeks panicking about it...)
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
It's publication day for Unkind, on why women and girls shouldn't have to make up for the world by "just" being kinder (but men and boys possibly could...)! geni.us/Unkind
(Un)kind: How 'Be Kind' Entrenches Sexism
Pre-order now
geni.us
February 6, 2025 at 3:22 PM
It's publication day for Unkind, on why women and girls shouldn't have to make up for the world by "just" being kinder (but men and boys possibly could...)! geni.us/Unkind
First copy of my new book! (Out 6th Feb - pre-order here! geni.us/Unkind)
January 11, 2025 at 11:32 AM
First copy of my new book! (Out 6th Feb - pre-order here! geni.us/Unkind)
Reposted by Victoria Smith
Pretty sure it's not up to women to "think carefully" about taking a higher-paid job than their partner. It's up to their partner to get the fuck over himself and be pleased for her.
January 9, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Pretty sure it's not up to women to "think carefully" about taking a higher-paid job than their partner. It's up to their partner to get the fuck over himself and be pleased for her.
Reposted by Victoria Smith
70,000 men.
One group chat.
How many raped women is that?
**we need radical culture change that dehumanises & de-pornifies & de-commodifies women & girls**
#MakeTheShameSwitchSides
One group chat.
How many raped women is that?
**we need radical culture change that dehumanises & de-pornifies & de-commodifies women & girls**
#MakeTheShameSwitchSides
Telegram 'rape groups' with up to 70,000 members uncovered in German investigation, where men discuss how the drug and rape their own wives, sisters, sometimes daughters...
www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
Telegram ‘rape chat groups’ with up to 70,000 members uncovered
Users from multiple countries have been sharing tips on how to sedate and sexually assault women, German investigation finds
www.telegraph.co.uk
December 29, 2024 at 1:12 PM
70,000 men.
One group chat.
How many raped women is that?
**we need radical culture change that dehumanises & de-pornifies & de-commodifies women & girls**
#MakeTheShameSwitchSides
One group chat.
How many raped women is that?
**we need radical culture change that dehumanises & de-pornifies & de-commodifies women & girls**
#MakeTheShameSwitchSides
So delighted to see (Un)kind in here! (Published Feb and available for pre-order now!) www.theguardian.com/culture/2024...
Nonfiction to look out for in 2025
From a river voyage with Robert Macfarlane to Helen Garner’s candid tale of a broken marriage, via Ian Leslie’s analysis of Lennon and McCartney’s complicated kinship, here are the titles you can’t af...
www.theguardian.com
December 29, 2024 at 8:30 PM
So delighted to see (Un)kind in here! (Published Feb and available for pre-order now!) www.theguardian.com/culture/2024...
Reposted by Victoria Smith
I wrote about the bids for sympathy of the accused in the Pelicot trial thecritic.co.uk/should-we-fe...
Should we feel pity for the Pelicot accused? | Victoria Smith | The Critic Magazine
In a 1983 speech to a pro-feminist men’s group, Andrea Dworkin noted that men’s experience of trauma did not justify their abuse of women and children. On the contrary, she argued…
thecritic.co.uk
December 11, 2024 at 1:32 PM
I wrote about the bids for sympathy of the accused in the Pelicot trial thecritic.co.uk/should-we-fe...
Would obvs prefer ETA Hoffmann (with wine glass and little Tomcat Murr figure), but very much want this
"What's the matter, son? It's Christmas morning and you've barely touched your Johann Wolfgang von Goethe play figure."
December 9, 2024 at 1:18 PM
Would obvs prefer ETA Hoffmann (with wine glass and little Tomcat Murr figure), but very much want this
Reposted by Victoria Smith
Women are considered “old” much younger than their male counterparts: women are old at 30, whereas men don’t drop into the dreaded “old” category until they’re in their 50s. In this week's newsletter I've written about "women of a certain age"...
newsletter.carolinecriadoperez.com/p/middle-cla...
newsletter.carolinecriadoperez.com/p/middle-cla...
Middle-class women of a certain age
it is not done well; but you are surprised to find it done at all.
newsletter.carolinecriadoperez.com
December 9, 2024 at 11:37 AM
Women are considered “old” much younger than their male counterparts: women are old at 30, whereas men don’t drop into the dreaded “old” category until they’re in their 50s. In this week's newsletter I've written about "women of a certain age"...
newsletter.carolinecriadoperez.com/p/middle-cla...
newsletter.carolinecriadoperez.com/p/middle-cla...
Reposted by Victoria Smith
I listen to a lot of golden age detective fiction audiobooks¹, & one thing that never fails to startle me is the unbelievable level of antisemitism in some of them. At the moment I'm listening to² 'Portrait of a Murderer' by Anne Metedith, & not only is the crooked financier in it 》
December 8, 2024 at 9:56 PM
I listen to a lot of golden age detective fiction audiobooks¹, & one thing that never fails to startle me is the unbelievable level of antisemitism in some of them. At the moment I'm listening to² 'Portrait of a Murderer' by Anne Metedith, & not only is the crooked financier in it 》
Reposted by Victoria Smith
Gisele Pelicot would be my nominee for "Person of the Year". Harrowing, but characteristically excellent, dispatch from @victoriapeckham.bsky.social here. www.thetimes.com/world/europe...
I sat in court at the Gisèle Pelicot rape trial. This is what I saw
Gisèle Pelicot became a symbol of courage when she waived her anonymity to attend the trial of her husband and 50 other men accused of raping her — and ignited fierce debate about the law surrounding ...
www.thetimes.com
December 6, 2024 at 12:02 PM
Gisele Pelicot would be my nominee for "Person of the Year". Harrowing, but characteristically excellent, dispatch from @victoriapeckham.bsky.social here. www.thetimes.com/world/europe...
Reposted by Victoria Smith
I spent a week at the Pelicot rape trial, one of the most disturbing things I’ve ever reported on, and examine the many issues arising: French rape law, pornography, complicity and the defiant courage of Gisele.
www.thetimes.com/article/5dee...
www.thetimes.com/article/5dee...
I sat in court at the Gisèle Pelicot rape trial. This is what I saw
Gisèle Pelicot became a symbol of courage when she waived her anonymity to attend the trial of her husband and 50 other men accused of raping her — and ignited fierce debate about the law surrounding ...
www.thetimes.com
December 6, 2024 at 10:22 AM
I spent a week at the Pelicot rape trial, one of the most disturbing things I’ve ever reported on, and examine the many issues arising: French rape law, pornography, complicity and the defiant courage of Gisele.
www.thetimes.com/article/5dee...
www.thetimes.com/article/5dee...