Scan barcode
A review by ashleighfare
Women Don't Owe You Pretty by Florence Given
2.0
It’s exactly what you would expect when a white, upper middle class woman just discovers the basics to feminism and realises she’s privileged in her early 20s, then thinks that’s enough to write a book.
I think if you are in that demographic and the concept of feminism, racism, homophobia etc. is completely new to you then great - this is the book for you.
But Florence is very opinionated and speaks with authority, sometimes on topics that she could not possibly empathise with. She throws around therapy language in a potentially harmful way e.g. words like “abuse” and “narcissism” are used without much regard for what that actually means in a mental health context.
The book also promotes this really individualistic form of friendship centred around ‘what can I gain?’. Florence suggests that you shouldn’t vent to your friends or learn from your friends - that should only be done with someone you’re paying.
I watched a video essay that discussed this recent phenomena of people “setting boundaries” by not allowing their friends to vent to them, instead suggesting they pay a therapist for that. One of the comments said “we have monetised human connection” and I think that sums up her take on this perfectly.
I think if you are in that demographic and the concept of feminism, racism, homophobia etc. is completely new to you then great - this is the book for you.
But Florence is very opinionated and speaks with authority, sometimes on topics that she could not possibly empathise with. She throws around therapy language in a potentially harmful way e.g. words like “abuse” and “narcissism” are used without much regard for what that actually means in a mental health context.
The book also promotes this really individualistic form of friendship centred around ‘what can I gain?’. Florence suggests that you shouldn’t vent to your friends or learn from your friends - that should only be done with someone you’re paying.
I watched a video essay that discussed this recent phenomena of people “setting boundaries” by not allowing their friends to vent to them, instead suggesting they pay a therapist for that. One of the comments said “we have monetised human connection” and I think that sums up her take on this perfectly.