Bridget Jones - Ruining families everywhere

by Bethany Sanders (Subscribe to Bethany Sanders's posts) Oct 3rd 2008 2:00PM

Who's to blame for the demise of the nuclear family? Why, Bridget Jones, of course.

Wait ... what? A fictional character responsible for breaking up families? That's what David Willetts, who recently spoke at the UK's Conservative party conference thinks, anyway. Calling Bridget a real "phenomenon," he went on to say that more women than ever are finishing university. While that statistic is "fantastic," he went on to say that "even if men want to be the breadwinner ... they are no longer given the opportunity to bring home the bacon, and the evidence is that that is bad for families."

Here I thought I was a part of Generation X, but actually, I'm part of the "Bridget Jones generation" -- educated women who want to have it all, but are crushing the self-esteem of men everywhere and the notion of marriage and family in the process. Give me a break. Willett's attempt to pin the problems of the nuclear family on educated women, using a popular female icon, just shows that he doesn't understand the needs of a modern family or equality issues.

Besides, I don't think I'd call Bridget a feminist, would you? What do you think of Willett's comments?

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Comments (6)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jennifer 10-03-2008 @ 5:08PM

Oh Mr. David Willetts...you poor sad man. You're little ego must be sooo fragile..Please!!!! Are you kidding me??
Dude, you're upset because women are finishing college?? Honey, it's 2008.. Gone are the days that women are barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen.. Find something worthwhile to get your tighty whiteys bunched up about!

Charlene 10-11-2008 @ 2:25PM

Mr. Willets is absolutely correct. And I'm a woman! And there are many, many women who agree.

Over the past half-century, too many women have tried to turn themselves into the men they couldn't snag - men like my husband, incidentally. As for me, I happily remain a woman: female and feminine, and so much more so for my rejection of feminism.

Lindus 10-07-2008 @ 4:54PM

First; Who is David Willetts? He's a british MP from a small area in south of the UK with barely 50,000 voters. So, is he someone to even recon with? Not really. He's a pipsqueak and he knows it so that's why he tells these absurd tales.
Second: Is Charlene implying that just because you are a university grad, work in a competitive environment and enjoy doing so you cannot be a female and feminine? That's the most absurd statement I have heard in a long time. But then again, perhaps she enjoys being at home and leaving all those pesky things as science, politics and influence over her person to those who knows better like her husband. To me to reject feminism is the same as giving up control of your own body. IF feminism did not exist we would see a lot of back alley abortions with the dangers it has like we did earlier last century. But then again, maybe not having an abortion after being raped by her own father is ok with Charlene.
Willets, go back from where you came and get an update in your education.

Sincerely,
/Lindus

Julie 10-06-2008 @ 2:54PM

Charlene, I'm not even sure what you are talking about. I didn't go to college because I wanted to be a man "I couldn't snag." On the contrary, I went to college because I was smart, interested in learning, and wanted to have a fulfilling career. I accomplished all of that, and married a great, college educated man in the process. Now, I'm happily married, have great kids, and work only on a parttime basis, which for me, has helped me to achieve a balance between career and home. My husband isn't threatened by my education. Actually, it's one reason why he was interested in me in the first place. I think I'm the lucky one.

Lindus 10-07-2008 @ 5:30PM

First; Who is David Willetts? He's a british MP from a small area in
south of the UK with barely 50,000 voters. So, is he someone to even
recon with? Not really. He's a pipsqueak and he knows it so that's
why he tells these absurd tales.
Second: Is Charlene implying that just because you are a university
grad, work in a competitive environment and enjoy doing so you cannot
be a female and feminine? That's the most absurd statement I have
heard in a long time. But then again, perhaps she enjoys being at
home and leaving all those pesky things as science, politics and
influence over her person to those who knows better like her husband.
To me to reject feminism is the same as giving up control of your own
body. IF feminism did not exist we would see a lot of back alley
abortions with the dangers it has like we did earlier last century.
But then again, maybe not having an abortion after being raped by her
own father is ok with Charlene.
Willets, go back from where you came and get an update in your
education.

Sincerely,
/Lindus