(Un)kind : How Kindness Culture Punishes Women

Author(s): Smith, Victoria
Binding: Paperback,
Date of Publication: 05/03/2026,
Pagination: 336 pages,
ISBN13\EAN\SKU: 9780349127156,
Description:

'Tackles the pervasive tide of unbridled misogyny masquerading as kindness' Julie Bindel'Victoria Smith is a brilliant writer who every feminist should read' Sharron Davies'This brilliant book shows how demands for compassion and generosity can be a mask for sexist ideology' Susanna Rustin(Un)kind is a coruscating account of the ways in which deeply-held beliefs about women's 'kind' nature have been repackaged for today's culture wars, in a society that remains dependent - socially, politically, economically - on female self-sacrifice.

Kindness culture is sold to women and girls in a multitude of guises: from play to self-help, social justice activism to empowerment. Victoria Smith argues that the pressure on women and girls has been incorporated into the 'work' of feminism.

A compelling account of the backlash against feminism, (Un)Kind is essential reading for anyone affected by the endless exhortations for women to #BeKind.

'Brilliant... compelling' Lucy Mangan, The i 'Erudite, blisteringly smart and profoundly compassionate' Dr Rachel Hewitt