What Sort of Feminist Are You?
It was interesting to read Maggie’s's blog, the other day, “Has Feminism Gone Too Far?”. And, yes, I know it could get confusing – with Maggie and Majjie! I rushed over here to express my indignation and very much empathised with Ann’s description of herself, in her response, as an “old fashioned, rat bag feminist”. I don’t actually think Maggie’s examples were cases of feminism gone too far but certainly back in my own rat bag days there was a man-hating element, amongst radical feminists.
Maggie’s blog prompted me (with Sarah’s encouragement) into thinking a bit more about the relevance of feminism today.
So – what sort of feminist are you?
- First Wave,
- Second Wave,
- Rat Bag,
- Third Wave,
- Lipstick,
- Post-Feminist
- Or not a feminist at all?
I would actually contend that the vast majority of women are feminists; whether they like being called one or not. The “I’m not a feminist but …” principle is well known (does anyone ever actually say that?) and I can’t imagine a woman disagreeing with the principle of equal opportunities for her gender. We just disagree on what that entails.
- Image via Wikipedia
One thing’s fairly certain. You’re unlikely to be a First Wave feminist. They were the ones who campaigned to get women the vote … to allow women to formally participate in society at all. It might surprise some of you to know that, in Switzerland, that was as late as 1971 (it was 1918 in England) … and in a few Middle Eastern countries, women still don’t have equal voting rights.
Second Wave feminism is my era (from the 1960s to the 1980s). It was all about: getting equal access to jobs and equal pay for equal work; preventing legalised sex discrimination (independent taxation only happened in 1990); confronting sexual abuse and providing refuges for women who suffered from it; insisting on access to contraception and legal abortion; and getting equal access to education for girls.
I think it’s probably difficult for younger women to realise what it was like, before all of these things were confronted … and how a certain amount of radical feminism was necessary to get the changes made. Some criticism of those days is justified. The original movement was very white and very middle class; it took very little account of different cultural backgrounds; women were often portrayed as victims … and men were often regarded as the enemy. It can be hard to remember, though, how oppressive a woman’s traditional role could be, when it wasn’t a matter of choice.
Women have been considered to be irrational, emotional, incapable of argument and incapable of following many careers. Married women were regarded as being financially dependent on their husbands, even if they brought their own money to the marriage. In those days, it was useful, indeed necessary, to create some distance from men … in order to find out what women really did want and what they really did feel. That’s what “consciousness raising” groups were all about, … although the one I joined was more about going out, arguing and getting drunk (funny that) … and my husband at the time had no objection to me going at all.
There were a wide range of different opinions, even then. A lot of radical feminists were lesbians, so were understandably less tolerant of male privilege. I was never in favour of glorifying womanhood and all things female just because they were associated with women. Making a virtue of what society had forced upon us whether, or not, those attributes had any intrinsic value, always seemed wrong to me … but whatever did happen to placenta-eating celebrations?
Third Wave feminists appeared in the 1990s. They tend to be younger, more individualistic and less political. As I understand it, they don’t value the “sisterhood” and are less likely to reject the idea of stay-at-home mothers, or traditional feminine interests, such as fashion, make-up, cooking and home-making. They’re also much more likely to talk dirty, drink a lot, be sexually adventurous and be accepting of pornography and sex working (especially in modern forms like lap dancing). This has been called feminism-lite and it’s protagonists have been labelled lifestyle feminists, lipstick feminists or pop-feminists (girl power and all that). You can see why older “sisters” (who could be the mothers of these youngsters) might feel uncomfortable with some of their choices.
It does stand to reason that – when given the choice – some women might actually choose to be subservient to their men, or to dedicate their whole lives to their children, or to act like lager louts … or even to clothe their bodies from head to toe and peer out through eye slits. It’s actually having the choice that matters. I would staunchly defend any woman’s right, to make even those choices … if she has made them freely and rationally … I just hate it when she does!
Post-Feminists reckon that it’s all been done; that feminism as a political movement is no longer necessary. Some would answer Maggie’s question with a resounding yes. Men, in particular, might say that feminism has gone too far … but then they would, wouldn’t they?
Mind you, it’s not just women who have changed over the years; men have changed too. Many men now have the opportunity to get more involved with their children, to express their feelings more, to take on more caring roles, if they want them, and to train for traditionally female careers, such as nursing and hairdressing and cleaning. Of course, those jobs don’t pay well … but that’s equality for you. I think that men and women should now work together to bring about a more just society. The difference in pay between a senior nurse and a senior banker should concern us all.
A Fourth Wave of feminism has been suggested so many times already, that it gets confusing – and the term is sometimes used to describe what I would still call mindless glorification of attributes traditionally regarded as feminine. Perhaps we need to call the feminist future something completely different. Any suggestions? And please, whatever it’s called, don’t entirely reject the idea of political feminism. The pay gap is now increasing not decreasing, services for women are being cut during the recession, there are new threats like sex slavery and religious fundamentalism … and there’s a perennial need for better and more affordable childcare for working mothers.
So – will you concede my point – that you are indeed a feminist? And let us know what sort that is? The fight needs to go on sister!
Majjie
Majjie is the online presence of rat bag feminist Marion John.
She’s an independent kitchen designer with her own business: Advanced Kitchen Design. Marion also likes eating, gardening, tropical fish, eating and being single … oh, and eating.
About Sarah ArrowSarah Arrow is the managing editor of Birds on the Blog, in real life she is the communications director of a same day courier service. She is an enthusiastic UK based pro-blogger and co- author of the soon to be published Zero to Blogger
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39 Responses to What Sort of Feminist Are You?
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Very good analysis, Majjie
I suspect that whole “I’m not a feminist but” scenario comes about because the media did a very good job of making everyone believe that feminists were all miserable man-hating killjoys – although you’d think the whole bra burning idiocy would have pleased at least some men
I was taken in by it myself as a youngster at school, and was amazed when I got around to reading some of the feminist writers for myself how moderate and sensible and fun most of them actually were – not to mention being horrified by the inequalities which persist to this day, in one form or another
Of course there were some extremists – the radical feminist lesbian separatists – but although they were vocal they were a minority. Some of that rage too ( Andrea Dworkin’s writings and Susan Brownmiller’s work on rape springs to mind ) – came out of personal experiences of horrific abuse and is perhaps understandable in that light, even though it does contine to cause problems with the whole image of feminism being about man-hating.
I do worry about this whole post feminism idea – the claim that it is empowering by to be free to embrace pole dancing and sex working. I have few problems with sexual behaviour that is freely chosen, but I have difficulties in seeing any choice as free that is contaminated by market forces… Oops, there’s my old marxist feminist roots slipping out
The recent outing of Belle Du Jour and the revelations about her personal family background make me even more doubtful about the issue of free choice.
Equality and freedom from all those gender stereotypes, and true freedom of choice in how to live and work and love and play – all these things should surely be equally attractive to men and women.
Maybe it’s time to stop calling it feminism? It’s not just for women, after all.
Ann
Very good analysis, Majjie
I suspect that whole “I’m not a feminist but” scenario comes about because the media did a very good job of making everyone believe that feminists were all miserable man-hating killjoys – although you’d think the whole bra burning idiocy would have pleased at least some men
I was taken in by it myself as a youngster at school, and was amazed when I got around to reading some of the feminist writers for myself how moderate and sensible and fun most of them actually were – not to mention being horrified by the inequalities which persist to this day, in one form or another
Of course there were some extremists – the radical feminist lesbian separatists – but although they were vocal they were a minority. Some of that rage too ( Andrea Dworkin’s writings and Susan Brownmiller’s work on rape springs to mind ) – came out of personal experiences of horrific abuse and is perhaps understandable in that light, even though it does contine to cause problems with the whole image of feminism being about man-hating.
I do worry about this whole post feminism idea – the claim that it is empowering by to be free to embrace pole dancing and sex working. I have few problems with sexual behaviour that is freely chosen, but I have difficulties in seeing any choice as free that is contaminated by market forces… Oops, there’s my old marxist feminist roots slipping out
The recent outing of Belle Du Jour and the revelations about her personal family background make me even more doubtful about the issue of free choice.
Equality and freedom from all those gender stereotypes, and true freedom of choice in how to live and work and love and play – all these things should surely be equally attractive to men and women.
Maybe it’s time to stop calling it feminism? It’s not just for women, after all.
Ann
Excellent article Majjie! Unfortunately the one thing it brought to mind is that the more things change, in some cases the more they stay the same. The fight for women’s refuges in (I think) the 60s and 70s was a very worthy cause and one which needs ongoing support. In our current climate many refuges can’t afford to stay open and are not getting the financial support from government that they need. We may have come a long way in the fight for equality but there are still women and children, suffering and in some instances dying, at the hands of abusive partners.
Excellent article Majjie! Unfortunately the one thing it brought to mind is that the more things change, in some cases the more they stay the same. The fight for women’s refuges in (I think) the 60s and 70s was a very worthy cause and one which needs ongoing support. In our current climate many refuges can’t afford to stay open and are not getting the financial support from government that they need. We may have come a long way in the fight for equality but there are still women and children, suffering and in some instances dying, at the hands of abusive partners.
I was thrilled to read this blog Majjie and so glad you wrote it.
I discovered ‘Feminism’ late. I had a mum who tried in her way to empower me the best she could and I never felt I couldn’t or wouldn’t be allowed to do something for merely being female.
When I worked with those unemployed termed ‘harder to help’ I met an amazing American woman called Debra Angel and it was she who told me that women where only recently ‘allowed’ to do certain types of jobs and no longer needed their husbands permission to obtain a loan. I was stunned.
To me the feminist movement was Ms Pankhurst making sacrifices so we could vote and some mad women burning their bra’s and not shaving their armpits – the exact picture of feminists that men would want us to believe.
I try an empower my daughter to continue the work done by the sisterhood, youngsters these days… they have no idea what it is to have no rights, no votes and no bra
we now need to tackle pay inequality and persuade more women to vote.
I was thrilled to read this blog Majjie and so glad you wrote it.
I discovered ‘Feminism’ late. I had a mum who tried in her way to empower me the best she could and I never felt I couldn’t or wouldn’t be allowed to do something for merely being female.
When I worked with those unemployed termed ‘harder to help’ I met an amazing American woman called Debra Angel and it was she who told me that women where only recently ‘allowed’ to do certain types of jobs and no longer needed their husbands permission to obtain a loan. I was stunned.
To me the feminist movement was Ms Pankhurst making sacrifices so we could vote and some mad women burning their bra’s and not shaving their armpits – the exact picture of feminists that men would want us to believe.
I try an empower my daughter to continue the work done by the sisterhood, youngsters these days… they have no idea what it is to have no rights, no votes and no bra
we now need to tackle pay inequality and persuade more women to vote.
I come from the “second wave” group as I grew up across that period (1960-1980) not only facing the inequality issues of the era, but growing up with pressure at home, too. That consisted of a father who didn’t think it was worth spending money to educate girls “because they just get married and have kids” … and a mother whose education and possible career were sadly cut short by WW2 (she lived in Nazi occupied territory) and was bitterly jealous of anything I achieved beyond doing a low-paid routine job and looking for a husband.
I was lucky, though, because I got into the creative side of advertising (as a copywriter) which had always been pretty fair in terms of jobs and pay for men and women, although promotion for women was harder to come by.
I went freelance fairly early on and throughout my entire career, only once have I been subjected to a chauvinistic remark … “and tell me, Suzan, what is it like to be a woman working in a man’s world?”
I couldn’t really muster much anger though … the man who asked me was the chairman of the client company, got into the office at 07:00 hrs every day, ruled the place with a rod of iron – and he was 84 years old!
Twitter: SuzeStMWrites
I come from the “second wave” group as I grew up across that period (1960-1980) not only facing the inequality issues of the era, but growing up with pressure at home, too. That consisted of a father who didn’t think it was worth spending money to educate girls “because they just get married and have kids” … and a mother whose education and possible career were sadly cut short by WW2 (she lived in Nazi occupied territory) and was bitterly jealous of anything I achieved beyond doing a low-paid routine job and looking for a husband.
I was lucky, though, because I got into the creative side of advertising (as a copywriter) which had always been pretty fair in terms of jobs and pay for men and women, although promotion for women was harder to come by.
I went freelance fairly early on and throughout my entire career, only once have I been subjected to a chauvinistic remark … “and tell me, Suzan, what is it like to be a woman working in a man’s world?”
I couldn’t really muster much anger though … the man who asked me was the chairman of the client company, got into the office at 07:00 hrs every day, ruled the place with a rod of iron – and he was 84 years old!
Twitter: SuzeStMWrites
Well said, Majjie.
Maybe this’ll put the cat amongst the pigeons yet I don’t see myself as any kind of feminist per se. It’s not that I don’t see and appreciate the results of the work of the pioneers. It’s more that, having fought for and gained our right to a voice and a hearing, I think it’s bigger than and goes beyond the issue of women.
Have I ever been discriminated against purely because of my gender? As far as I’m aware only by neanderthal blokes who don’t count and, sadly, other females and that’s a far worse indictment.
What does get my goat is when I see or hear of what I perceive to be injustice in any way. Granted, that may be different to different people depending on their perspective – and while I try, it’s not always easy to be neutral, especially when emotions kick in – and they do
!
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
Well said, Majjie.
Maybe this’ll put the cat amongst the pigeons yet I don’t see myself as any kind of feminist per se. It’s not that I don’t see and appreciate the results of the work of the pioneers. It’s more that, having fought for and gained our right to a voice and a hearing, I think it’s bigger than and goes beyond the issue of women.
Have I ever been discriminated against purely because of my gender? As far as I’m aware only by neanderthal blokes who don’t count and, sadly, other females and that’s a far worse indictment.
What does get my goat is when I see or hear of what I perceive to be injustice in any way. Granted, that may be different to different people depending on their perspective – and while I try, it’s not always easy to be neutral, especially when emotions kick in – and they do
!
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
my hate to the word feminism stems from the fact that the whole feminism idea was hijacked by some radical feminists and post feminists…. where some radical feminists adopt very musculine attitude and looks, therefore they lost the cause while fighting for it… we call for equality based on minds and merits and no need to look or behave as men to prove ourselves.
the post feminists think sexual freedom means to behave as loose women and to expose their flesh, they lost harder than the radical ones…
i belong to the second wave and i, for sure, will support a decent future for future feminism in its name and nature. shall we say: reclaiming feminism?? or reinventing a feminin feminism?? i like the fact that i am a femal, a very feminine one, i enjoy my womanhood, my dresses, my high heels, my long hair, my jewellery without having my looks being the focus..my personality, performance and my mind are still there working even better than any other man. i am not up for competition here but i wont accept underestimation….
like Sarah, my mother was great support to all of us, sent sisters and brothers equally to pursue our higher education (my dad passed away when i was few months old) and we all received the same treatment, however, the society and gov policies took care of the discrimination…
Majji thanks for a lovely blog and analogy…. S
my hate to the word feminism stems from the fact that the whole feminism idea was hijacked by some radical feminists and post feminists…. where some radical feminists adopt very musculine attitude and looks, therefore they lost the cause while fighting for it… we call for equality based on minds and merits and no need to look or behave as men to prove ourselves.
the post feminists think sexual freedom means to behave as loose women and to expose their flesh, they lost harder than the radical ones…
i belong to the second wave and i, for sure, will support a decent future for future feminism in its name and nature. shall we say: reclaiming feminism?? or reinventing a feminin feminism?? i like the fact that i am a femal, a very feminine one, i enjoy my womanhood, my dresses, my high heels, my long hair, my jewellery without having my looks being the focus..my personality, performance and my mind are still there working even better than any other man. i am not up for competition here but i wont accept underestimation….
like Sarah, my mother was great support to all of us, sent sisters and brothers equally to pursue our higher education (my dad passed away when i was few months old) and we all received the same treatment, however, the society and gov policies took care of the discrimination…
Majji thanks for a lovely blog and analogy…. S
Thanks Ann, Maggie, Sarah, Suze, Linda and Suhad … for your comments. I’ve been out delivering some plans and have only just got back. I really enjoyed writing about something other than kitchens, for a change. The trouble with being self employed is that other interests tend to fall by the wayside.
You’re right, of course, Ann, to say that a lot of the radical feminists wrote from bitter experience … I’m afraid I was never a fan of Andrea Dworkin. My personal favourite author was Janet Radcliffe Richards – she was very reasonable indeed. And I’m in two minds about the more easy going attitude to sex workers that younger feminists have.
Espousing the feminist cause helped to bring me out of my shell – when I was a shy young woman (wow – that was a long time ago) … although, like Suze I didn’t really suffer from too much discrimination at work.
Perhaps it is time to talk about justice for everyone – and not just for women. I’m a lot more tolerant than I was in my youth. Tolerance does also extend to those women who want to dress and act in a masculine way, though. They’ve just as much right to choose their own style as more feminine women.
Thanks Ann, Maggie, Sarah, Suze, Linda and Suhad … for your comments. I’ve been out delivering some plans and have only just got back. I really enjoyed writing about something other than kitchens, for a change. The trouble with being self employed is that other interests tend to fall by the wayside.
You’re right, of course, Ann, to say that a lot of the radical feminists wrote from bitter experience … I’m afraid I was never a fan of Andrea Dworkin. My personal favourite author was Janet Radcliffe Richards – she was very reasonable indeed. And I’m in two minds about the more easy going attitude to sex workers that younger feminists have.
Espousing the feminist cause helped to bring me out of my shell – when I was a shy young woman (wow – that was a long time ago) … although, like Suze I didn’t really suffer from too much discrimination at work.
Perhaps it is time to talk about justice for everyone – and not just for women. I’m a lot more tolerant than I was in my youth. Tolerance does also extend to those women who want to dress and act in a masculine way, though. They’ve just as much right to choose their own style as more feminine women.
It’s so hard for us even to recall what life was like before “modern” (ie Second Wave) feminism, we take so much for granted nowadays.
I do remember when I first started working in tax in the late 1980s. Do you know, I never even thought about the significance of the introduction of independent taxation until I read your post today, Majjie. To us, it was the independent taxation that was weird, not the fact that it had been combined beforehand.
Back in 1990, I bought (as a single woman) a house in France and got a mortgage for about £16,000. My elderly French friends were astonished that I was allowed to do so. I thought they were a bit strange in saying this, but I was raised by a sensible feminist mother, who never ever taught me that women should be subservient to men. And so why should I not be able to get a loan?
One point I have made sure my boys are aware of is the reason for women changing their surnames on marriage: it’s because they have always been considered a chattel, to be “given away” by one patriarchal head of the household to the patriarchal head of the new household.
Whilst I do not advocate any strident feminism, I do think it is very wise for us to recall how fast and how recently things have changed. For the better. As you say, it is all about choice.
Absolutely, Morag!
It’s so hard for us even to recall what life was like before “modern” (ie Second Wave) feminism, we take so much for granted nowadays.
I do remember when I first started working in tax in the late 1980s. Do you know, I never even thought about the significance of the introduction of independent taxation until I read your post today, Majjie. To us, it was the independent taxation that was weird, not the fact that it had been combined beforehand.
Back in 1990, I bought (as a single woman) a house in France and got a mortgage for about £16,000. My elderly French friends were astonished that I was allowed to do so. I thought they were a bit strange in saying this, but I was raised by a sensible feminist mother, who never ever taught me that women should be subservient to men. And so why should I not be able to get a loan?
One point I have made sure my boys are aware of is the reason for women changing their surnames on marriage: it’s because they have always been considered a chattel, to be “given away” by one patriarchal head of the household to the patriarchal head of the new household.
Whilst I do not advocate any strident feminism, I do think it is very wise for us to recall how fast and how recently things have changed. For the better. As you say, it is all about choice.
Absolutely, Morag!
An interesting post Majjie and an educational one for me – I had no idea how feminism was fragmented down to these levels and how much stereotyping is applied to the various “types”.
It’s also rather sad to see how many comments are made about certain groups within the feminist movement, criticising them not just for their extremeness or the radical nature of their views, but even for how they look, which seems to me to rather defeat the object of coming together to address the issues. Suhad I suspect that the ‘masculine’ appearance of the group you mention may have had nothing to do with the feminist cause and everything to do with the fact that this is the way they feel most comfortable ‘being’ They might equally criticise you for pandering to the male ideal by dressing in high heels etc and that this might lose the cause too, but I happen to think both views are rather unhelpful to the cause itself.
I believe that generally it’s the extremists in a cause who do the most to propel it forward; they are the ones that create the headlines, incite comment and generally promote awareness of the issues – they are brave enough to stand up and shout their beliefs even knowing what kind of reaction it will generate – and though the extreme nature of those beliefs might not be held by the majority, the noise they make is what often propels the resultant move towards a middle ground.
In terms of attitudes towards feminism over time, the quote below was made as recently as 1992:
“Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians”
- Pat Robertson, US Politician
I haven’t managed to tick all those boxes yet, but failing that I think we should do as Ann suggests and move on from the term feminism completely.
“Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians”
- Pat Robertson, US Politician… Darn it Elaine a few on there have eluded me too any suggestions on the destroy capitalism one?
I don’t dress masculine, I dress like me, I look good in a suit and even better in a Tux
The day someone tells me my cowboys boots are feminine is the day I hang them up for good (well that may be soon actually some other mums at the school have started to wear them).
Come to think of it, Witchcraft has yet to kill anyone… or it’s yet to be proved
Any chance of a pic – preferably with the tux and the cowboy boots!!
The practice of Witchcraft may not have actively killed anyone … but the suspicion that someone was practising it certainly resulted in a lot of women dying!
Religious fundamentalism (of all types) is, I believe, the biggest threat to the achievements of feminism. Why is it that these people feel they can tell everyone else how they should live their lives?
Believe what you like and live your life how you like but … unless their actions are causing you actual harm … accord other people the same courtesy.
Oh … and I entirely agree with your point about extremists … they provide easy ammunition for opposing groups … but I believe they’re absolutely essential to take any movement forward.
An interesting post Majjie and an educational one for me – I had no idea how feminism was fragmented down to these levels and how much stereotyping is applied to the various “types”.
It’s also rather sad to see how many comments are made about certain groups within the feminist movement, criticising them not just for their extremeness or the radical nature of their views, but even for how they look, which seems to me to rather defeat the object of coming together to address the issues. Suhad I suspect that the ‘masculine’ appearance of the group you mention may have had nothing to do with the feminist cause and everything to do with the fact that this is the way they feel most comfortable ‘being’ They might equally criticise you for pandering to the male ideal by dressing in high heels etc and that this might lose the cause too, but I happen to think both views are rather unhelpful to the cause itself.
I believe that generally it’s the extremists in a cause who do the most to propel it forward; they are the ones that create the headlines, incite comment and generally promote awareness of the issues – they are brave enough to stand up and shout their beliefs even knowing what kind of reaction it will generate – and though the extreme nature of those beliefs might not be held by the majority, the noise they make is what often propels the resultant move towards a middle ground.
In terms of attitudes towards feminism over time, the quote below was made as recently as 1992:
“Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians”
- Pat Robertson, US Politician
I haven’t managed to tick all those boxes yet, but failing that I think we should do as Ann suggests and move on from the term feminism completely.
“Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians”
- Pat Robertson, US Politician… Darn it Elaine a few on there have eluded me too any suggestions on the destroy capitalism one?
I don’t dress masculine, I dress like me, I look good in a suit and even better in a Tux
The day someone tells me my cowboys boots are feminine is the day I hang them up for good (well that may be soon actually some other mums at the school have started to wear them).
Come to think of it, Witchcraft has yet to kill anyone… or it’s yet to be proved
Any chance of a pic – preferably with the tux and the cowboy boots!!
The practice of Witchcraft may not have actively killed anyone … but the suspicion that someone was practising it certainly resulted in a lot of women dying!
Religious fundamentalism (of all types) is, I believe, the biggest threat to the achievements of feminism. Why is it that these people feel they can tell everyone else how they should live their lives?
Believe what you like and live your life how you like but … unless their actions are causing you actual harm … accord other people the same courtesy.
Oh … and I entirely agree with your point about extremists … they provide easy ammunition for opposing groups … but I believe they’re absolutely essential to take any movement forward.
Well, I grew up in a society where equality was taken for granted – that is, women were expected to have an education, to work and so on, but at the same time people have always somehow assumed that it was strictly women’s job to cook, clean, etc… I have to wonder why – and whether our days consists of 48 hours to find time for everything.
My husband helps me with everything – he knows I won’t take the crap of “cooking is no men’s job”. In fact he even enjoys it.
As for the rest of it, I don’t care for makeup, wear trousers (jeans) most of the time, hate men who abuse women or treat them as lesser beings, but also hate women who abuse their husbands. I don’t think mush of men who prefer stupid girls to clever ones or tell me that a high IQ for a woman is a handicap (life has proven otherwise to me, and I’m sure that men who talk like this can’t be very clever themselves). I believe in equal opportunities in everything (including politics), but don’t believe in abortions. And I definitely wouldn’t want to estrange men – too many of them are my great friends: loyal, caring, funny, always ready to help when I’m in need of that. My own husband is the best of all, and since the first days of our marriage the lifestyle of true equality came naturally to us.
I don’t know which category it puts me in, but this is how I am. I think I am a feminist, but not too radical.
I agree with most of what you say Irina … and I haven’t worn a skirt for years either.
I would never have had an abortion personally (in the days when pregnancy was more likely!) … but I still think it should be freely available to any woman who wants one.
Well, I grew up in a society where equality was taken for granted – that is, women were expected to have an education, to work and so on, but at the same time people have always somehow assumed that it was strictly women’s job to cook, clean, etc… I have to wonder why – and whether our days consists of 48 hours to find time for everything.
My husband helps me with everything – he knows I won’t take the crap of “cooking is no men’s job”. In fact he even enjoys it.
As for the rest of it, I don’t care for makeup, wear trousers (jeans) most of the time, hate men who abuse women or treat them as lesser beings, but also hate women who abuse their husbands. I don’t think mush of men who prefer stupid girls to clever ones or tell me that a high IQ for a woman is a handicap (life has proven otherwise to me, and I’m sure that men who talk like this can’t be very clever themselves). I believe in equal opportunities in everything (including politics), but don’t believe in abortions. And I definitely wouldn’t want to estrange men – too many of them are my great friends: loyal, caring, funny, always ready to help when I’m in need of that. My own husband is the best of all, and since the first days of our marriage the lifestyle of true equality came naturally to us.
I don’t know which category it puts me in, but this is how I am. I think I am a feminist, but not too radical.
I agree with most of what you say Irina … and I haven’t worn a skirt for years either.
I would never have had an abortion personally (in the days when pregnancy was more likely!) … but I still think it should be freely available to any woman who wants one.
Majjie, excellent insights! I agree with Elaine – for as much as I call myself a conscious feminist of the 2nd wave, I wasn’t aware of the specific labeling for each of the various feminist waves, although I’ve experienced all of them with various women (and men).
A woman that has surprised me with her ability to bridge all waves is Rosemary Trible. I recently read her book Fear to Freedom and was surprised that even though we are very different women in religious beliefs and lifestyle that we both care deeply that women are treated equally and with respect. I highly recommend it.
Here’s the link to Rosemary’s website and book. Fear to Freedom. Lots of great information on it.
Thanks Kate … I’ll add Rosemary’s book to the hundreds I’m going to read when I have the time!
Majjie, excellent insights! I agree with Elaine – for as much as I call myself a conscious feminist of the 2nd wave, I wasn’t aware of the specific labeling for each of the various feminist waves, although I’ve experienced all of them with various women (and men).
A woman that has surprised me with her ability to bridge all waves is Rosemary Trible. I recently read her book Fear to Freedom and was surprised that even though we are very different women in religious beliefs and lifestyle that we both care deeply that women are treated equally and with respect. I highly recommend it.
Here’s the link to Rosemary’s website and book. Fear to Freedom. Lots of great information on it.
Thanks Kate … I’ll add Rosemary’s book to the hundreds I’m going to read when I have the time!
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