JJ Barnes writes about parenting, feminism, current affairs and writing
If you’ve been present on any social media platforms, I’m sure you’ve seen the meme in various forms going round that reminds you that everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about, so to always be kind. On the one hand, this is completely beautiful advice. I’ve been open about my own struggles with anxiety, and I know that
I have always had a very live and let live attitude towards other humans. You be who you are, live as you’re comfortable, and as long as it doesn’t intrude on me and my life, I really don’t mind. Imagine that meme of Dame Maggie Smith, but apply it to everything not just religion. Believe in what you want, be
I don’t think of myself as being particularly prudish. I am pretty open minded. I believe we should all love who we love, express ourselves however we feel comfortable, where clothes we like regardless of who they’re targeted and, and as long as you’re happy and safe, crack on. However, recently a couple of videos on Twitter have made me
Twitter trends come and go, whether it’s sharing make-up free selfies, favourite films or books, or sharing your experiences of your abortions with anti abortion politicians. Every so often, a tweet pattern will catch on, we’ll get a flurry of people repeating it with their own variations, and then it’ll die again. And, for the most part, these are pretty
According to the 2011 census, 51% of the population of the UK is female. It’s estimated that globally around 26% of women are of reproductive age, so that means on any given day, a large number of women will be menstruating. Despite this, there is still so much misinformation around what periods are, as well as beliefs that they’re dirty
With the Jeffrey Epstein case in full swing, the way his crimes are reported is something I’m noticing more and more. If, for some reason, you are not familiar with the case, here’s a quick catch up. Jeffrey Epstein was a financier who had connections with several high profile people, including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, actors such
I’ve written before about raising my children without gender stereotypes, letting them be free to explore the world without the pressure of working out if things are for boys or girls, and whether that should change what they do. Gender stereotypes are damaging to children. When children are raised to conform to stereotypes they miss out on experiences that matter,
I remember growing up my mother always told me that the girls who were so cruel to me were in pain. She told me only people in pain would try to cause pain in others, so instead of being afraid of them or angry at them for the way they treated me, I should pity them. I’m pretty sure she
I’m known amongst my friends and contacts as The Feminist one. So much so that I’m regularly tagged in articles and memes about women’s rights issues, or anything connected to feminism in any way. Recently I was tagged in a post about women’s rights to go topless. The image of a topless man and a topless woman, the man’s chest
Rape crisis centres are essential. They are a place where women can go in times of the worst crisis for support, protection and shelter. They are run by people who are setting their lives apart to help others. And they’re under attack. To attack a rape crisis centre, in my opinion, makes you an absolute monster. To see people doing