Women like Joanna Dennehy confuse us. Calling her mad or bad doesn't help

maako1328 · 2014-02-14T04:33:44+00:00

Yet another horribly sexist article from the Guardian. I have no problem w/ the author's wish to have a better understanding of how we as a society could intervene and possibly prevent these people (serial killers) from doing so much destruction... if only she had not been so sexist in doing so.

I was very pleasantly surprised that this sexism was plainly apparent to the many who commented, though. In fact, the "Guardian pick" comment better articulated what was so wrong with this article than I could have:

"Joanna Dennehy, from what I know from the information provided by the media, was a person with a serious mental illness which was exacerbated by her addictions. I do not know what treatment she received or if that treatment identified her as a risk to others. Presumably this information will follow in some form of inquiry report. What I know from my experience as a social worker, is that it is dangerous to stereotype behaviour on gendered or any other lines. If people are pigeon holed into certain social roles, e.g. women are nurturing and caring, men are dangerous and not to be trusted, then professionally that can effect the assessment and interventions that are provided. As a local authority social worker who worked in a child care safeguarding team, what I know is that harm to children and others was inflicted by both men and women. I never assumed that because of gender one parent or carer was safer than the other. I have seen women seriously harm their children and others because of significant underlying problems, including mental illness and addiction. Social construction of identity of any kind leads us down a path of misdiagnosis based on biased assessments, which can then impinge on the safety and harm of others."

2014-02-14T05:30:11+00:00

The article literally uses the word 'pleaded'...

Title	Women like Joanna Dennehy confuse us. Calling her mad or bad doesn't help
Author	reyofish
Upvotes	4
Comments	2
Date	February 14, 2014 3:36 AM UTC (12 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MensRights
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/1xv856/women_like_joanna_dennehy_confuse_us_calling_her/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MensRights/women-like-joanna-dennehy-confuse-us-calling-her.1003779 https://theredarchive.com/post/1003779

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