Jelly Wrestling's Sexist, Guys

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**Valion**

From Huffington Post:

Cambridge University Jelly Wrestling Competition Canceled After Petition Calls Event 'Sexist'

The annual female jelly wrestling competition at Cambridge University was canceled Tuesday after an online petition called the event “sexist,” “misogynistic” and “completely inappropriate,” the BBC reports.

The event, which involves women wrestling in a pool of jelly for cash, the petition explains, is typically organized by an all-male drinking society called Wyverns and takes place at the group's end-of-exams party. Student Nina de Paula Hanika started a Change.org petition protesting the affair.

The petition, which garnered more than 1,000 signatures in 24 hours, says the event is “clearly sexist, misogynistic and completely inappropriate as entertainment for 2013. Paying women to wrestle half naked is not entertainment.”

Wyverns canceled the event -– which would have taken place next month –- on Tuesday night.

The group commented that, "In the light of the recent petition The Wyverns have decided to cancel the ‘jelly wrestling’ at this year’s garden party. We, as a society, are committed to ensuring all party-goers have the best time possible and understand the concerns of some of them," according to a post on the the Cambridge University Students' Union Women’s Campaign's Facebook page.

As the Independent notes, since the decision, a counter-petition protesting the event’s cancellation has garnered at least 590 signatures.

It reads:
Jelly wrestling at the Wyverns' Garden Party is a great bit of fun and should not be cancelled. The contestants participate of their own free will and are observed by both male and female spectators who enjoy the event for what it is; harmless fun.

One commenter on the petition, noted that, “This has simply gone too far. We as girls should be allowed to do what we want, when we want. We do what we like.”

However, in an interview with the BBC, de Paula Hanika explained that her petition was not "an attempt to judge the women who have taken part in the past, nor ban jelly wrestling itself as an activity.” She said that she does not believe that women should tell other women what to do, and that the petition was an attack on the event’s male organizers.

Wyverns will still hold an end of the year party but without a jelly wrestling component. In a statement, the president of Wyverns told Cambridge student newspaper The Tab that the organization is “keen to maintain our reputation as the biggest, loosest, naughtiest, silliest party that Cambridge has to offer.”

I believe that the quote, "Paying women to wrestle half naked is not entertainment," is in desperate need of a Wikipedia [citation needed] tag.

**H.B.M.C.**

That's ludicrous. If you don't like it, don't attend. As long as everyone is a consenting adult, who really cares?

**Bullockist**

Wyverns sound awesome. In order to keep their image i think it would be a great move to arrange male jelly wrestling and invite Nina De Paula Hanika as a judge.

**KalashnikovMarine**

Sounds like Da Paula Hanika is the gal to go to on Cambridge's campus for all the fun parties... seriously I get where she's coming from, but if it's consensual and everyone's having fun... it's time to remove the telephone pole from your donkey cave. Or at least bugger off and let everyone else have fun.

**Bullockist**

Why is it ok for women to jelly wrestle but not for men to organise or watch it?
If your on about sexism, then differentiating between the sexes in regard to an activity seems counter productive, but who knows what runs through killjoys minds.

**azazel the cat**

Hooray for oppressive 2nd-wave feminists appropriating the voice of all women!

Having said that, it does sound gross, and I've never understood the appeal of pretty girls covering themselves in jelly. Aren't pretty girls enough of a draw as-is? I'd far rather talk to one that doesn't look sticky.

**Valion**

'Jelly' in Britain is 'Jell-o' or 'gelatin' in the States, right?

**Cheesecat**

azazel the cat wrote:
Hooray for oppressive 2nd-wave feminists appropriating the voice of all women!

I don't think that's what 2nd wave feminism is even about.

Having said that, it does sound gross, and I've never understood the appeal of pretty girls covering themselves in jelly. Aren't pretty girls enough of a draw as-is? I'd far rather talk to one that doesn't look sticky.

I like seeing attractive women in skimpy outfits covered in messy food, but then again I'm OK without the messy food as well as both turn me on.

**Hordini**

Valion wrote:
'Jelly' in Britain is 'Jell-o' or 'gelatin' in the States, right?

Yeah, that's right.

**Sigvatr**

1000 jealous and sexually frustrated females repre-seeeeeeeeeeent!

**Valion**

Hordini wrote:
Valion wrote:
'Jelly' in Britain is 'Jell-o' or 'gelatin' in the States, right?

Yeah, that's right.

Alright, then. That's fine. Jell-o wrestling's awesome. Jelly wrestling would probably be a lot like the creamed corn wrestling I was unfortunate enough to witness while bartending in Missouri once.

**Cheesecat**

Valion wrote:
Hordini wrote:
Valion wrote:
'Jelly' in Britain is 'Jell-o' or 'gelatin' in the States, right?

Yeah, that's right.

Alright, then. That's fine. Jell-o wrestling's awesome. Jelly wrestling would probably be a lot like the creamed corn wrestling I was unfortunate enough to witness while bartending in Missouri once.

Why was that unfortunate?

Automatically Appended Next Post:
I don't think jelly wrestling is sexist as long as everyone is having fun and people aren't using it as a opportunity to belittle others, that being said Nina de Paula Hanika sounds kind of joyless unless these events are actually full of abuse (but that was never mentioned so there's no reason to

assume such until there is proof that this is happening).

**sebster**

Well, of course its sexist. That's the kind of the point of the jelly, trying to move about in it is pretty undignified, meaning the girl is not only a sexual attraction but also just a little bit demeaned.

The second point being that it's okay to have sexism in some situations. I think in general we've got to the point now where we accept that both sexes just want to have some good, dirty fun time to time and a society that gets all shocked and bothered every time it happens would be a boring place.

And that leaves the question of whether or not its okay to be sexist in this particular situation, and that in turn depends on who you're asking. Ask society at large and the answer is it probably isn't okay, given the party seems to have been open to all to attend, but that it really wasn't so bad as to justify shutting it down (which we can tell by the simple fact that the party was not shut down by authorities). Ask the people hosting this party and the answer seems to be that it was okay, but then when people made a big deal about it they agreed that it wasn't okay (which means the whole thing wasn't that big of a deal, and so when it looked like it might hurt their chances to have sex in the future, they just let it go).

**notprop**

And there's me thinking the Oxbridge boys were clever?

Easy get around, have an all girl fight card except the final round where you get the drunkest two hooray-henrys there to fight for the chance to wrestle for the chance to have a drink with the Queen wrestler. The add something in the small print about it being all for charity!

To think these posh gakkers are going to run the country one day and they can't think their way out of some online petition made up by a grade A prude.

Sort answer throw Miz (I'm guessing

) de Paula Hanika in the JEEEL-LLLLEY! Once she had been put in a half-nelson by some nubile jelly wrestles I be she'd soon be on side!

**Valion**

I doubt your last point, sebster, to quite an extent. Having been in a frat in college that was involved in way 'worse' activities than clothed Jell-o wrestling, and having seen its fair share of complaints, I can say with certainty that the concern that the women who disliked it would not want to have sex with us never crossed our minds. Plenty of other women very much go for this sort of thing, and they're the ones you want around for a party, anyway.

**Cheesecat**

sebster wrote:
Well, of course its sexist. That's the kind of the point of the jelly, trying to move about in it is pretty undignified, meaning the girl is not only a sexual attraction but also just a little bit demeaned.

The second point being that it's okay to have sexism in some situations. I think in general we've got to the point now where we accept that both sexes just want to have some good, dirty fun time to time and a society that gets all shocked and bothered every time it happens would be a boring place.

And that leaves the question of whether or not its okay to be sexist in this particular situation, and that in turn depends on who you're asking. Ask society at large and the answer is it probably isn't okay, given the party seems to have been open to all to attend, but that it really wasn't so bad as to justify shutting it down (which we can tell by the simple fact that the party was not shut down by authorities). Ask the people hosting this party and the answer seems to be that it was okay, but then when people made a big deal about it they agreed that it wasn't okay (which means the whole thing wasn't that big of a deal, and so when it looked like it might hurt their chances to have sex in the future, they just let it go).

OK that makes sense.

**sebster**

Valion wrote:
I doubt your last point, sebster, to quite an extent. Having been in a frat in college that was involved in way 'worse' activities than clothed Jell-o wrestling, and having seen its fair share of complaints, I can say with certainty that the concern that the women who disliked it would not want to have sex with us never crossed our minds. Plenty of other women very much go for this sort of thing, and they're the ones you want around for a party, anyway.

It isn't about appeasing the people who've set and signed the petition. As you say they're probably a lost cause.

But there's plenty of women between the ones who are happy to be in the jelly wrestling and the ones signing the petition. In fact, that group in between contains most women.

Now, it isn't that those women in the middle will be instantly turned off on hearing that you were involved in organising a jelly wrestling competition, if they were you might as well just go ahead with the competition, the damage has been done. The point is that once the petition has been written and it becomes a talking point around campus, you don't want to be the guy standing up to defend this.

It just never, never helps to get in to an argument with a feminist. Not because they're right, or because girls will agree with them, but just because it never, ever looks good being in that argument.

And what's more. 'your side' will very quickly be joined by a whole bunch of other people, and many of them will be sexist and just plain weird. Even if you continue to make your points with wit, wisdom and no trace of sexism at all, you will be dragged down by the numpties that rose up to help your case. You will just be one of them.

So it's basically better to just say "In the light of the recent petition The Wyverns have decided to cancel the ‘jelly wrestling’ at this year’s garden party. We, as a society, are committed to ensuring all party-goers have the best time possible and understand the concerns of some of them" and move on.

**CthuluIsSpy**

Cambridge University Jelly Wrestling Competition Canceled After Petition Calls Event 'Sexist'

“Paying women to wrestle half naked is not entertainment.”

This line bothers me on so many levels...I don't even know where to start.

I'll try though. Here's the three first thoughts that popped into my head:

Its offensive to female wrestlers, who make a living wrestling "half naked" (see: Divas). The irony is that its actually a sexist thing to say; if men are allowed to wrestle half-naked (and they do), then shouldn't women be allowed to as well if they want to? Who is Paula Hanika to say what is and what isn't suitable entertainment?

The second reason why is because its just illogical. If it were not entertainment, then why does it exist as a medium of entertainment, a long surviving one for that matter?

The third reason is that is also implicitly offensive towards male wrestlers; the reason why she's calling out women wrestling half-naked is because it is indecent, and yet it is not indecent for men to do the same? I see a double standard.

I know the third one is a bit odd...I have a strange way of thinking.

Anyway this whole thing reeks of that moral crusader crap about metal/D&D whatever from during the 80s / 90s.

**Valion**

sebster wrote:
It just never, never helps to get in to an argument with a feminist. Not because they're right, or because girls will agree with them, but just because it never, ever looks good being in that argument.

Now this I can certainly agree with. And I don't believe it's at all a good thing.

**Medium of Death**

No pics?

What kind of thread is this!?!?!?!

If the ladies are happy to do (of their own free will) it and they make money, what's the problem?

**Valion**

Medium of Death wrote:
No pics?

What kind of thread is this!?!?!?!

If the ladies are happy to do (of their own free will) it and they make money, what's the problem?

They aren't happy to do it. A sexist patriarchy has made them think they're happy to do it.

Or so goes the arguments I've read.

**HiveFleetPlastic**

It's a choice that isn't free of coercion. You can do it, or you're one of

1000 jealous and sexually frustrated females

By the way, pretty sure studies have shown feminists have the best sex!

**Sigvatr**

HiveFleetPlastic wrote:

By the way, pretty sure studies have shown feminists have the best sex!

Not sure if clever game of words or not

**Kilkrazy**

CthuluIsSpy wrote:
Cambridge University Jelly Wrestling Competition Canceled After Petition Calls Event 'Sexist'

“Paying women to wrestle half naked is not entertainment.”

This line bothers me on so many levels...I don't even know where to start.

I'll try though. Here's the three first thoughts that popped into my head:

Its offensive to female wrestlers, who make a living wrestling "half naked" (see: Divas). The irony is that its actually a sexist thing to say; if men are allowed to wrestle half-naked (and they do), then shouldn't women be allowed to as well if they want to? Who is Paula Hanika to say what is and what isn't suitable entertainment?

The second reason why is because its just illogical. If it were not entertainment, then why does it exist as a medium of entertainment, a long surviving one for that matter?

The third reason is that is also implicitly offensive towards male wrestlers; the reason why she's calling out women wrestling half-naked is because it is indecent, and yet it is not indecent for men to do the same? I see a double standard.

I know the third one is a bit odd...I have a strange way of thinking.

Anyway this whole thing reeks of that moral crusader crap about metal/D&D whatever from during the 80s / 90s.

It's offensive not because men aren't allowed to do it, but because it is men, who are the power elite of modern society, making women do it. That is the psychological theory, at any rate.

Jelly wrestling isn't going to cause the downfall of western civilisation yet.

**CthuluIsSpy**

Wouldn't the psychological theory be technically sexist as well, as its implying that the women could not make choices of their own?

**Ardaric_Vaanes**

HiveFleetPlastic wrote:
It's a choice that isn't free of coercion. You can do it, or you're one of

1000 jealous and sexually frustrated females

By the way, pretty sure studies have shown feminists have the best sex!

How could a study possibly prove how good someone gets it in bed? I mean do they actually go into the bedroom and watch them all at it and rate them or something?

Hell....if they go off words and re-assurances alone, then I had a threesome once with keira knightley and Liv Tyler! < See what I did there?

Sorry, but anyone can claim to have had good sex, a bunch of on-paper statistics and studies doesn't prove anything.

**Sigvatr**

I think he used "sex" as in "gender" to setup a clever game of words - as all feminists would consider their very own gender the best gender

**purplefood**

No they wouldn't.
A feminist (A proper feminist) believes their gender to be equal to the other.
Hence the entire point of feminism.
Some take it too far.

**Ardaric_Vaanes**

I guess for jelly wrestling they could just do the event in private if they really wanted to, it'd be expensive but if everyone pitched in for some jelly and a paddling pool. It's not like anyone can stop them if it's at they're own expense, because it's no longer a public event and everything. It'd just be a matter of cost if anything.

**Steve steveson**

CthuluIsSpy wrote:
Wouldn't the psychological theory be technically sexist as well, as its implying that the women could not make choices of their own?

Ohhhh... Never bring that one up... Feminist removal of agency is a good way of seeing some "feminist" go very red in the face and angry (I use the word speach marks to differentiate between people who want freedom and equality for all and those who wish to push an idea of what they see as "right").

Anyway, I see no problem with jelly wrestling, or women (or men) doing what they want as long as they have free choice in the matter. However, this kind of partying really dose not help with the image Oxbridge undergraduate students have (Navie kids with too much money and to little sense).

Unfortunatly it is not something that many have going in. They get it there. Postgrad students are generally not affected by this, so it must be something in the culture. Its always the undergrads doing dumb things like the oh so "funny" Turl Street Dash in Oxford, where one collage has a cycle rage against another yet always "forgets" to invite them. This often then ends up in fights or trying to brake in to the neighbouring college. Or two other neighbouring colleges where the undergrads often brake in to the other, vandalism and fighting. For those people who do not know, this fighting is not on some out of town campus, but in the middle of the city. It is not all the time, or even regular, that it spills over to this level, but so many of them act like spoilt brats.