Practical, everyday feminism: mothers, politicians, and Mumsnet

Abstract

This Viewpoint positions the contemporary UK parenting website Mumsnet within the wider history of mothers’ organisations’ interactions with politics and politicians over the last 100 years. While the politicisation of motherhood is nothing new, and Mumsnet follows its predecessors in insisting on an apolitical stance, Mumsnet users are unusual in their willingness to embrace an identity as feminists and to engage in debate on controversial contemporary issues. Mumsnet has been attacked by some for allowing such conversations to happen, and praised by others for its commitment to a policy of freedom of speech. In this way, it has continued the historical role of the media in the creation and support of organised women's voices on contemporary political issues.