Unkind: How "Be Kind" Entrenches Sexism by Victoria Smith

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A witty and insightful analysis of how kindness culture is used against women. Using the #JustBeKind trend of the 2020s as a starting point, (Un)kind explores how traditional beliefs about women's 'kind' nature have been repackaged for an age that remains dependent - socially, politically, economically - on female self-sacrifice while finding the concept outdated and essentialist. Looking at the various guises under which kindness culture is sold to women and girls - from play to self-help, show more social justice activism to empowerment - Victoria Smith argues that the pressure on women and girls has not decreased, but instead been incorporated into the 'work' of feminism. (Un)kind analyses the way in which this phenomenon ultimately distorts relationships, harming not just those coerced into performing 'kindness work' but the supposed recipients of their services. show less

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Devil_llama 1,923 reviews

This author always has something to say, and says it well. In this work, she takes on the 'just be kind' meme, and demonstrates with humor and clarity the ways in which it is actually unkind to women, and how it tends to reinforce the stereotypes and expectations of gender. Having read a previous book, I expected to enjoy this, but wow.

Jan 20, 2026

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cjeskriett 36 reviews

Mar 28, 2025

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