LAD.

Scrolling through social networking sites daily, I've noticed a subculture forming and it wasn't until recently I found out the name for it...LAD.

Suddenly it's become acceptable for men to talk about women in a completely derogatory way, in what is supposed to be irony. I understand that these comments are supposed to be banter, but I'm just not getting it.

It's not that I don't have a sense of humour, I can see the funny side. Who doesn't love a bit of banter? But when it becomes offensive and you can no longer see the line between somebody having a laugh and genuinely disgusting comments then as a feminist and even just as a female, I have to object.

You can't expect me or any other women to take these comments as a joke, just because you or someone else has added...'LAD'. I thought the whole 'lad' culture died a death a while ago, of course in Essex it never really does, but still.

If anything it makes me completely lose respect for the culprits, who are usually really sweet guys in real life. What if I suddenly turned the tables and came out with crude comments about men, people would judge me in an instant. As it has been in our society for some time...it's one rule for the men, another for the women.

Whether you're a man or a woman, I believe you need to have respect for others and yourself. It is your decision what you do in life and I try not to judge others, but it's how you carry yourself that is important.

I'm not being an uptight feminist, those who know me are aware that I'm a new wave feminist and I don't hate men. I'm not militant about my beliefs. I have my views, I like to debate and educate. I just believe that in this day and age, things are still not equal between the sexes and some things need to be rectified.

I don't understand why these comments are funny or acceptable, feel free to explain to me why you can class it as 'banter' and why it is OK to talk that way. If we were talking about race, sexuality or disability would it be acceptable?