Thinking about reading Lean Out by Dawn Foster, but want to know a little bit more about the book before you by a copy?

If so, check out my review where I’ll be sharing a bit about what to expect inside the book and my own thoughts on it.

 

This page includes affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Thank you to Repeater Books for sending me a free copy of the book.

 

CONTENTS

Chapter 1: Leaning In

Chapter 2: Lehman Sisters

Chapter 3: Having It All

Chapter 4: Hiring and Firing

Chapter 5: Trickledown Feminism

Chapter 6: Can You Be a Feminist and …?

Chapter 7: Backlash

Chapter 8: Conclusion

 

On the back of Lean Out the blurb talks about how Lean Out ‘unpicks how the purportedly feminist message of Sandberg’s book neatly exempts patriarchy, capitalism and business from any responsibility for changing the position of women in contemporary culture’.

In case you don’t know the Sandberg’s book referred to is Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg (COO of Facebook). Published in 2013, Lean In became a best seller and inspired women across the world to join Lean In circles (myself included). Whilst lots of women loved the book, not everyone agreed and interestingly in Lean Out Dawn mentions that “Amazon Kindle listed it [Lean In] as one of the books least likely to be finished”.

One of the major issues Dawn had with Lean In is that it “points all blame inwards and ignores structural inequality”. Lean In focuses on what women can do to change their future and level of achievement.

Dawn argues that “A woman may be as ambitious as she wants, but the people hiring and firing have their own preconceptions, in a society that maintains that women are less decisive, logical and driven”. Her belief is that we need structural change.

Then Dawn goes on to look at feminism from a number of angles. She writes that “we focus on equality at the top rather than at the bottom” and this is evident from the focus there is on women reaching the C-suite, starting companies, being on boards etc. However, Dawn wants there to be a bigger focus on equality for all women regardless of class, race, and / or socio-economical position.

With that in mind, Lean Out looks at the reality of women outside of well-paid jobs. There are discussions about mothers on minimum wage, the reality of zero-hour contracts, child-care and austerity.

There is a discussion around trickledown feminism and how getting women into higher positions is better for everyone. However, both research and history has shown it isn’t true. The book talks about Margaret Thatcher and how having a female prime minister doesn’t automatically mean policies will be put into place that supports women. In addition, in the workplace, it can be difficult for women to hire other women. Dawn writes that “Daring to hire from outside the traditional pool whilst non-traditional yourself merely ensures the prejudicial stereotypes applied to your race or gender come back to haunt you”.

In the second half of the book there are discussions around the different types of feminism and how currently the focus is on choice feminism – “Choice feminism turns feminism into a lifestyle rather than a radical emancipatory politics.”

In the conclusion, Dawn writes that “Much of the focus for feminism over the past decade or so has been either from the top down, or by the individual” and instead we need to focus on being a collective. She also adds that “Rather than leaning in… they’re leaning out and refusing to play the game anymore”. She makes it very clear that she believes rather than working within the system for there to be equality for women the system needs to be changed.

 

FINAL THOUGHTS FROM CHARELLE

Overall I enjoyed reading Lean Out. As you would expect from a journalist Lean Out is well researched and written. At just over 80 pages it was a super quick read and it talked about issues that I haven’t read in other books.

This book was read as part of PropelHer’s Book Club because it is labelled as an anti-Lean In (by Sheryl Sandberg) book. Personally, I don’t think it is the anti-Lean In book and so wouldn’t recommend you read it purely for that reason. Instead, Lean Out looks at feminism from a collective perspective and talks more about the structures that are stopping equality.

WHO WOULD I RECOMMEND READS

I would recommend Lean Out to anyone who is interested in reading books on equality and feminism. In addition, since Dawn Foster is a British author and some of the books explore issues specific to British life, it would be great for someone based in the UK.

If you like the sound of you Lean Out by Dawn Foster you can buy a copy for yourself by clicking here.

 

     

 

Lean Out was read as part of PropelHer’s Book Club in March 2020. To find out more PropelHer’s Book Club click here.