Friday Femme Fatale: Jane Fonda, Maria Shriver & Cougars

Published April 17, 2009 @ 03:04PM PT

Lots going on this week, so let's not waste anytime - here are my top stories in the fem-o-sphere.

First off - Rebecca Traister at Salon.com writes the piece, Hot cougar sex! that dives into the strange sexual innuendo attached to adult woman who happen to have a libido (gasp!) and are strangely compared with a crazed wildcat.

In Sudan, Nobel Laureates demand that women be part of the peace talks to rebuild the broken country in Africa, while activists work to support the Afghanistan women who are speaking out against the law that gives Shiite men the right to demand sex from their wives. The New York Times offers a smart editorial this week as well that dives into the scary situation in Afghanistan, as well as what is going on with women in Pakistan in the piece: Women, Extremism and Two Key States.

Meanwhile, a new film launches called American Violet, while over at RH Reality Check, they are launching Reader Diaries and Jane Fonda writes about the importance of sex education.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution writes the compelling piece about how women may be the key to economic success in "Help women, profits climb." Young Women Misbehaving takes a different approach to the idea of economic equality for women by researching the correlation of Cleavage Gaps, Wage Gaps, and IQ Gaps.

Finally, Writes Like She Talks reports on how Maria Shriver seeks to define "A Woman's Nation" and gives big kudos to Chris Cillizza's Cheat Sheet for mentioning the effort.

Alright then. Have a great weekend everyone!

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Comments (1)

The reason that "Cougars" are such a "hot" topic is that the women are older (by at least 5 years!) than the men and they are spending time with these young, "innocent" men mostly for the sex. If you put the full spin of the Cougar Controversy, that best illustrates how gender stereotypes remain ever ingrained in our society. People still can't wrap their minds around older women/younger men. And they still can't help thinking "slut" if a woman wants to be with a man primarily for sex.

As long as everyone is honest and it's consensual (and legal--no Mary Kay LeTourneau repeats!), there shouldn't be a controversy. But this is, after all, America.

Posted by Martha Dye-Whealan on 08/24/2009 @ 11:21AM PT
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Jen Nedeau is a social media consultant, progressive activist, feminist speaker and writer. She currently lives in New York City, where she works full-time as the Director of Digital Strategy at Air America Media. In August 2008, Nedeau was selected to be the Editor of the WomensRights.Change.Org where she facilitates daily discussion about the feminist movement. Additionally, Nedeau volunteers as the Chief Technology Officer for New Leaders Council, a non-profit that offers exclusive training for young leaders. You can follow her on Twitter @HumanFolly or learn more here: www.jennedeau.com.