I went on Mumsnet looking for the truth about motherhood, but it taught me far more about men | Tabitha Lasley

I read so many horror stories I started to see potential abusers everywhere - it was time to log off

There are few places on the internet as misunderstood as Mumsnet. To the uninitiated, it is a safe space where home counties housewives bicker about the correct way to slice an avocado. But people who've actually been on the site know it for what it is: a forum where desperate, often disadvantaged, women go for help.

If you ever want to get an idea of how many mothers in this country are living impecunious half-lives, with the boot of an abuser on their necks, spend an hour on the Mumsnet relationship boards. It's eye-opening, and not in a good way. Small wonder that the feminism espoused there is pretty hardline. There is very little in the way of girl-boss, all-choices-are-great cheerleading on Mumsnet. The women who write back to posters are feminists of the radical kind. They have experienced the sharp end of male entitlement. Their wisdom is hard-won and their advice is tough and practical.

Tabitha Lasley is the author of Sea State

Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a letter of up to 250 words to be considered for publication, email it to us at observer.letters@observer.co.uk