Do you call yourself a feminist?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by L.L. on March 8, 2009 at 5:01pm

I think the word feminist has been highjacked.

If you are asking if I am a feminist in the sense that I feel I deserve to be treated equal to a man in the workforce, than ya, maybe I'm a feminist.

However - I think the more militant feminist don't want women to be equal to men, they want to be better than men, and will take any opportunity to slam men at any turn. That, I simply cannot get behind.

Feminism won us the right to vote, the right to hold office, to work, to be paid fairly, etc. But it has destroyed the rights of fathers in family courts. Is that right? I don't think so.

I guess I really don't think of myself as a feminist - I have too much respect for both sexes. It sort of eliminates me from the club.

Permalink Reply by Sarah on March 8, 2009 at 5:13pm

I certainly agree that the word has been highjacked by people who want to give feminists a bad name in an effort to undermine their work towards equality.

As far as I'm concerned, feminism simply means equal rights and opportunities for men and women. Therefore, someone who wants women to have more rights than men, is not a feminist.

You make an interesting point about the rights of fathers in family courts. In what way do you think feminism is responsible for that?

Permalink Reply by Muppet on March 8, 2009 at 5:41pm

Complete agreement that the word has been highjacked..

A lot of people envision "man hater" or someone who is overly sensitive.

I think feminism just means that women want the right to be any kind of woman that they want to be... Which I'm 100% on board with.

And sure I get offended by certain things and feel the inequality/double standard, and G-d knows I get angry on any minority-groups behalf. And if we lived by the old-school standards of what women are 'supposed to be' I would probably be at the top of the list of "offensive".

But I also listen to Howard Stern & find it amusing, wear make-up, and cringe any time I see a book about how to 'conquer' men or 'figure them out'.

Just think it's about being the woman that you want to be.

Permalink Reply by Sarah on March 8, 2009 at 7:31pm

Absolutely.
Feminism doesn't mean tearing down men or always wearing pants or something. It's just about having the same choices and opportunities and respect.

Permalink Reply by Charlee on March 8, 2009 at 7:07pm

Yes, I do!

I totally agree that the term 'feminist' has taken on negative connotations in the post-feministic era.

That said...I think it is kind of sexist in itself that just because a women is ardent in her support of women, people assume she's a man hater or whatever. And I mean I don't really care, I laugh about it with my friends when they make fun of me for being such a lunatic when it comes to women's issues, but it's rather unfortunate that people are so close-minded when it comes to the idea of feminism...because I happen to love men!! I actually get along better with most men than most women BUT give me a break if you don't think men are crazy supportive of each other without even thinking twice about it--I don't think you can say the same for women. We need to learn to support each other in the world the way that men do!

Well this is quite inarticulate, I am under the influence of excessive caffeine, but if you want to hear more of my raving on this issue (fat chance) then you can hit up my weblog entry wherein I rant and rave and have a great time!!

Permalink Reply by Sarah on March 8, 2009 at 7:28pm

haha. I'll absolutely check out your blog.

I'm always surprised (and kind of fascinated) when people recoil from being called feminists, even if they believe in equal rights for men and women.

It's funny, I'm always keeping an eye out, but I've never actually come across any of these "man-hating feminists" I hear so much about.

Permalink Reply by Sarah on March 8, 2009 at 7:40pm

Lipstick feminism definitely gets into some tricky areas. While I don't believe it's anti-feminist to wear makeup or embrace and enjoy your sexuality, I don't know that I buy into the idea that using sex as a commodity does anything to contribute to equality and respect between the sexes.

In what way(s) do you think feminists decide to make themselves into victims?

Permalink Reply by Sarah on March 8, 2009 at 9:02pm

I have to disagree with the concept that by complaining, feminists cast women as victims. To me, making yourself a victim would be staying silent and just accepting whatever fate is handed down to them. Complaining feminists were the people who fought for and gained the rights women do enjoy today.

The other side of your argument that many women go into low paying fields by choice, is that many of the jobs women do are undervalued and underpaid because they are or have been typically performed by women. I think it also has to do with the fact that young women have fewer role models to look up to in higher paying positions, although I hope this is slowly changing.

Permalink Reply by Sarah on March 9, 2009 at 11:49am

So those men and women who complained about women not having the right to vote should have just quietly accepted it? People who complained that only men could be soldiers should have kept quiet? Where would you be today without their complaining?

While they are certainly different kinds of work with different skill sets, In my mind there's no way someone running a big business is doing more valuable work or contributing more to society than someone taking care of,raising, or teaching a child.

You do bring up an interesting point about role models. I agree, a woman's role model doesn't have to be a woman. I definitely look up to many men as role models, but I don't think you can dismiss the idea that it's easier for many people to see themselves in a role that hasn't been traditionally occupied by one gender, race etc. if someone like us has achieved success there before. It's easier to be the zillionth female surgeon than it is to be the first.

Sorry, that was a little garbled, but I hope you get what I'm trying to say. I'm just having a tough time putting it into words.

Permalink Reply by Lisa on March 9, 2009 at 12:18pm

I think you put it into words very well!

Permalink Reply by Sarah on March 8, 2009 at 10:37pm

I just checked out your blog (which I enjoyed, btw), but I'm a little confused now. If feminism is a hoax, why do you have a "feminist fitness" blog?

Permalink Reply by Lisa on March 9, 2009 at 12:14pm

I'm a feminist and I'm pretty fit. I do triathlons and adventure races and I lift weights (not to tone up but to be strong). But no, I don't tell women they have to be fit. I encourage them to be healthy (I'd encourage anybody to be healthy) but I don't tell them what to be.

The woman in your post was wrong to say that having a fit body means you're not a "real woman". However, skinny doesn't equal healthy just as fat doesn't equal unhealthy, lazy, over eating, couch potato. Check out this blog on fat acceptance.

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