Stuff that ticks me off...

1. 1. Men who abuse women (whether verbally, physically, sexually, spiritually or emotionally). 
   

2. 2. Anybody who infers that women are “less than” men... or somehow sub-standard... or designed by  God for “lesser things”...  or that our sole purpose in life is to make babies and serve on husbands. 
   

3. 3.The sexualization of young girls - and the “pornification” of society.
   

4. 4.Baby beauty pageants.  Actually, I have a problem with beauty pageants in general.  I think it’s an archaic idea... to line up women in their bikinis, to scrutinise their bodies or to pretend that Beauty Queens are the kinds of role models that our girls should emulate.  Aspire to be ‘pretty’ in a bikini, sash and kitsch crown?  Aspire to cut red ribbons at small town ceremonies?  I think not.  I have bigger and better dreams for our girls!
   

5. 5.The unsurpassed greed of certain corporations (and their equally greedy advertising agencies) in that making-more-money becomes more important than the well-being of the women and girls who buy their products, and that they’ll stoop to the lowest levels of manipulation, guilt-tripping and downright lying for the sake of profit.
   

6. 6.Women attacking other women... and girls bullying other girls.  C’mon people!  Aren’t there enough issues in life to have to deal with?  We’re supposed to be on the same side!  Let’s support our sisters and SPEAK LOVE!
   

7. 7.The reluctance of mainstream media / the fashion industry / the beauty industry / the diet industry and their advertising agencies to admit that many of their dodgy tactics have played an enormous and destructive role in the breaking down of self-esteem (amongst women and girls).
   

8. 8.The fashion industry’s obsession with skinny-ness (think size 0 and skeletal models) - and how this obsession and utter disdain (bordering on revulsion) towards anything resembling curves has spilled down, like an overflowing barrel of toxic waste, and has affected and infected the self-esteem of women and girls all over the world.
   

9. 9.The Porn Industry - and it’s horrifically successful commodification of women.
   

10. 10.The Billion Dollar Diet Industry and the fat-cats at it’s helm and especially those who profit from ridiculous, fake products that supposedly offer a “magical cure” for obesity.  (Fat blocker pills, slimming cream and magnetic earrings immediately spring to mind).
    

11. 11.The recent crazed obsession with plastic surgery!  That a 15 year old wants boob implants and Botox... or that her mother lets her... is beyond my comprehension. 
    

12. 12.All other damaging, evil customs (religious or otherwise) around the world designed to inflict pain upon, damage, or squash the potential of women  (ie: female circumcision, women denied education or voting rights, young girls married off to amorous old men,  sex trafficking, polygamy, ‘honour killings’ and so much more!) - scary, horrifying stuff which both upsets and angers me.