It’s pretty bloody hilarious. I purchased two vintage Dolly magazines from an antique store in Melbourne and spent a bewildered evening reading from the chronicles of the youth of the eighties. I have to say that some of it is rather frightening… and I’m not just talking about the hair.
In the April 1987 issue of Dolly there is an article called ‘Boys On… Girls Drinking’. This is where they ask boys with New Kids on the Block-esque hair what they think of girls drinking. Here is what they had to say…
Dave, 16 – “When girls are drunk, they look foolish and will often let guys take advantage of them. I think if girls are going to drink themselves into a state, they should do it somewhere where no one is going to see them and be put off by their behavior”
John, 16 – “Drinking doesn’t suit girls, but it suits guys. Alcohol is for guys!”
Roy, 20 – “I think girls look even more like idiots than boys when they drink. This might seem sexist, but I think girls should look lady-like, and this means not holding a can of Fosters and then vomiting everywhere just because they have drunk too much”
Right. I understand that I was three years old when these boys shot their wads at the editor of this magazine but because I love to stir up shit here’s my response to their ridiculous statements.
Dave – Sweet heart. Love. Angel. You are an idiot. Girls do not LET guys take advantage of them, whether or not they are drunk. Men TAKE the advantage, they do not receive it. Your statement that women should get drunk in private is not only antiquated but also offensive. Even for 1987. God help your poor wife if you somehow managed to snag one in the last twenty years.
John – Are you still a virgin? Or did all the ‘guy alcohol’ render you impotent?
Roy – That statement doesn’t SEEM sexist. It IS sexist. I don’t think it’s appropriate for ANYONE to drink in excess (especially canned Fosters… ew) and vomit everywhere but in this land of equal oppurtunity (and don’t give me that ‘times have changed’ crap. Feminism was RIFE in the eighties…) I fully support a woman’s right to do so. Why is it acceptable for men to do as they please? If the sight of a women swigging from a can of beer offends you then look away. It’s your problem, not hers.
Just a little trip down memory lane for those past and present readers of Australian Dolly. Lets hope the opinions of our fellow drinkers truly have changed. Stay tuned… there is more Dolly goodness coming your way this week!
Love Lady Smaggle
xxx
5 Comments
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<3 <3 <3
I think I learned most of what I know about Fashion, Boys, Sex and Drugs from laughing hysterically at DOLLY with my best friend while we were eleven.
Whenever I visit her we always see if we can get our hands on the most recent DOLLY Quiz Book, so it can tell us the type of people we are.
I’m so excited you’re posting about Dolly!
Xx
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I do wonder where these jack asses are today. I heart joey forever!
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If you think Dolly is hilarious, you should watch Puberty Blues.
Would love to hear your opinion on how the retro 80’s look compares to the genuine 80’s look. I remember the look being whatever was in at Sportsgirl or Portmans or Esprit, and everyone had a Country Road tote bag.
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You know, you think it seems antiquated but my ma (who is in many other respects a died-in-the-wool feminist) still blahs on about how it’s unladylike for girls to drink. To which I say:
[hiccup] wha??? pash me the boozshe. -
Grant – These mags gave me hours of pleasure over the weekend.
Jocelyne – They were a little before my time but next door neighbor (who I thought was awesome!) loved Joey too!
Emma – Oh totally! And everyone had those white sportsgirl t-shirts with the rainbow logo on it! I remember that book! I wonder if our school librarians ever figured out why there was always a waiting list for that book…
Na – Really? YOUR mother? Where did ever go wrong…
