Decades ago now, I had an abortion. I wasn’t happy about it. I felt it was deeply unfair. My partner and I had been responsible: we had been using contraception but, as it occasionally does, it …
Jane Caro: Why the Gonski funding model is right for education
I have been listening with interest to the statements Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne has been making in the past 24 hours. And, while I confess I had very little faith in the ‘unity…
It’s nice to be nice but much more important to be brave
I want to be liked, of course I do. I want people to think well of me and say nice things about me. I find conflict difficult. It sends my anxiety levels up and makes me feel tense and defensive. Howe…
Jane Caro: The budget’s $245 million to put the fear of God in schools
Last week I was in Brisbane promoting my latest book, as authors are wont to do. The book is called For God’s Sake, an atheist, Christian, Jew and Muslim debate religion‘ and my co-author …
Jane Caro: How the world reacts when a woman expresses a dangerous idea
I don’t think housewives or stay at home mothers are prostitutes, okay? After all, I have looked after a house and stayed home to look after kids. I don’t think married women are prostitutes, I don’t …
Mother Courage: Jane Caro on the tragedy in Rosie Batty’s triumph
No doubt everyone who has had the honour of being named Australian of the Year has done much to deserve it. I am sure that to a man and a woman they have been people who have done much good and little…
It’s not Credlin, it’s credibility
On January 22nd I sent the following tweet. ‘Hi Peta Credlin, u know that feminist thing? Some of the things I’m reading hint u’r being set up 2 take fall 4 TA. If so, we’re here to help’ January 22 w…
The hypocrisy is blatant & barefaced: Why Jane Caro can’t stand Mother’s Day
I was brought up to be repelled by sentimentality. I am suspicious of public declarations of emotion. I am uncomfortable about the solemn pronouncements made by the great and the powerful around Anzac…
Jane Caro: Can Justin Trudeau be a feminist?
Recently at the UN meeting on Gender Equality, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said “I am going to keep saying loud and clear that I am a feminist until it is met with a shrug.” His declaration…
Jane Caro: Why are we afraid of feminising boys and men?
A few years ago I was on the 5pm Friday night Qantas flight from Melbourne to Sydney. It was full of tired, grumpy business people in a hurry to get home. As we came in to land at Sydney airport there…
