Sir, - I'm writing in response to John Waters and his self-serving column on women and poverty (September 23rd). What is this increasingly reactionary style of his all about? Evidently it stems from his discovery of fatherhood. He cries out for the victimised male who's had it so good for so long. I cannot relate here the facts and figures of economic life for women. I will not address point for point his badly argued article which would need a column of similar length in reply.
Rather, it is the general position of women in society that I want to address. I can see all around me and experience the inequalities of a woman in this insular little country of ours. To visit other countries is to realise how far behind we are. When I go abroad for my music I meet other women who are so far ahead in confidence and achievement. Women in every kind of occupation - but they say how far behind the men they still are in their country!
How can women and young girls who grow up in Ireland be confident when there are so few they can identify with? When this very newspaper and all others are continually dominated by men? When TV, radio and even Hot Press are the same? When the ludicrous and corrupt Catholic Church condescends towards all women?
When a nice silly program for kids like The Den is incapable of imaginatively creating a cool female character-puppet? When the influential media encourage the bullying quasi shock-jock-style commentators like Eamon Dunphy and Gerry Ryan in an increasingly "boysy-clubby" policy? Where the loudest and boorish voice intimidates (witness Dunphy v Roisin Shortall on Questions and Answers last week on RTE)? Ireland is a depressing country for women.
It is vitally important for women's self-esteem to get out of this country regularly, or go to therapy. If you're lucky.
Men are so unconscious of their privilege; sexism and social conditioning have the deepest roots imaginable. Feminism must continue to light the way for both sexes into the new millennium.
As for John Waters' new victimised father role, I reckon a personal karmic balance comes to each individual: his might be to experience the patriarchal world through his growing daughter's eyes. - Yours, etc., M. T. Walsh,
Cross Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin.