'Witch' tweets reflect society's fear of older women

[Hypatia_Alexandria]

Most of the time when a woman gets called a witch, regardless of age, it is just a polite way of calling her the word for a female dog.

You have an unusual take on what is deemed "polite".

And, at least in my experience, is used by other women more than men.

In your experience.

However, the abuse to which some women are subjected online suggests that much of it comes from men and Prof. Beard posed the question "Why?" What is it about women and older women in particular that causes some people [generally men] to react in such a manner?

Is it simply the anonymity of social media which gives the individual a freedom to write what in a face-to-face many of them might not actually say?

Or does this hint at something deeper in the male psyche?

[mossrose]

You're saying she can be a real witch at times?

At times, yes.

[Cow Poke]

I am highly offended that HA suggests that older women are disrespected by “mostly men”. I, for one, get more disrespect from her than the rest of the world combined.

Just another whinge from her hateful misandry.

You're saying she can be a real witch at times?

[Cow Poke]

Most of the time when a woman gets called a witch, regardless of age, it is just a polite way of calling her the word for a female dog. And, at least in my experience, is used by other women more than men.

Yeah, when a woman gets nasty, it's not unusual to say something like, "wow, she can be a real witch!" (Or, as my sister used to say "she can be a real witch with a 'b'")

Don't know where that originated, but it's pretty much universal in The States.

[mossrose]

I am highly offended that HA suggests that older women are disrespected by “mostly men”. I, for one, get more disrespect from her than the rest of the world combined.

Just another whinge from her hateful misandry.

[rogue06]

I cannot see the connection between the fact that the English word witch rhymes with the English for a female canine and the usage of the word "witch" as a term of abuse towards older women.

Most of the time when a woman gets called a witch, regardless of age, it is just a polite way of calling her the word for a female dog. And, at least in my experience, is used by other women more than men.

[Hypatia_Alexandria]

See post #7, and I suppose that's because of a quirk in the English language.

I cannot see the connection between the fact that the English word witch rhymes with the English for a female canine and the usage of the word "witch" as a term of abuse towards older women.

[rogue06]

Interesting although this undoubtedly is, I am not sure I see its relevance to the abusive term 'witch' when applied to older women nor the online abuse via social media to which many women in general are subjected

See post #7, and I suppose that's because of a quirk in the English language.

[Cow Poke]

I think it unnecessary to engage in aggressive sexual and violently abusive language.

When you say something like this, it quite often leads to a really really stupid question....

Or would you not agree?

Bingo!

[Hypatia_Alexandria]

Since I've never done so here it is nothing to worry about.

Or are you ... fantasizing?

I was responding to your boast "Wanna hear something really scary? I tend behave better online than irl."

[Hypatia_Alexandria]

And while boys employ more physical forms of bullying, it's the girls who tend to engage in the forms typically seen online Do Girls and Boys Bully Differently?

Female Bullying


Females tend to bully other people indirectly or by using relational aggression.^[1]This type of bullying usually includes verbal assaults, ostracizing, spreading rumors, and gossiping -- the epitome of mean behavior. Moreover, people that engage in relational aggression disguise their bullying and act in more passive-aggressive ways, which makes this type of bullying more difficult to spot.

[...]

1.The involvement of girls and boys with bullying: an analysis of gender differences. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2013;10(12):6820–6831. doi:10.3390/ijerph10126820

Interesting although this undoubtedly is, I am not sure I see its relevance to the abusive term 'witch' when applied to older women nor the online abuse via social media to which many women in general are subjected

[rogue06]

I sincerely hope you would not tell any woman [irrespective of her age] either to her face or in writing while employing graphic detail what you would like to do to sexually humiliate and abuse her.

Since I've never done so here or anywhere it is nothing to worry about.

Or are you ... fantasizing?

[Hypatia_Alexandria]

Define "interesting".



Hmmmmm..... you don't think that older women think it's "personal" when they're attacked? Interesting.

I think it unnecessary to engage in aggressive sexual and violently abusive language. Or would you not agree?

[rogue06]

Two words... "mean girls".

And while boys employ more physical forms of bullying, it's the girls who tend to engage in the forms typically seen online Do Girls and Boys Bully Differently?

Female Bullying


Females tend to bully other people indirectly or by using relational aggression.^[1]This type of bullying usually includes verbal assaults, ostracizing, spreading rumors, and gossiping -- the epitome of mean behavior. Moreover, people that engage in relational aggression disguise their bullying and act in more passive-aggressive ways, which makes this type of bullying more difficult to spot.

[...]

1.The involvement of girls and boys with bullying: an analysis of gender differences. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2013;10(12):6820–6831. doi:10.3390/ijerph10126820

[Hypatia_Alexandria]

Wanna hear something really scary?





I tend behave better online than irl.


That's because here I have the chance to restate something before "saying" it (posting).

I sincerely hope you would not tell any woman [irrespective of her age] either to her face or in writing while employing graphic detail what you would like to do to sexually humiliate and abuse her.