Feminism - discussion

[perSue]

Do you consider yourself a feminist?
If so, what type - if any at all?

What makes you one and why did you choose to be labeled as such?

I ask for general discussion and out of personal curiosity as to my own values and wondering if *I* am or not.

thanks

[miss_thrifty]

the right to open property(years ago couldn't), the right to work or not work along with men and do similar jobs. I am not a true feminist where I belive a woman can do anything a man can do, nor cana man do anything a woman can do.
there are some distinctions that most value in one another whether f/ m.
The right or empowerment to belive one can do anything one believes she/ or he can percieve to want to do in life.
The right to ones own body , and protection against violence or ownership from anyone.

[acidcookie]

Feminism should really be called "equalism" because it is, as I do believe, the simple idea that women can do anything men can do and are entitled to the same rights as men. Hard-wired biological differences aside, there is NO reason for me that this isn't true. Sure I'm a feminist. I don't know how any woman couldn't be. To say "No, I can't do what men can do." Really?

I just don't get hung up on the things that make people afraid of feminism, like a constant analysis on the patriarchal dominance in our society, or the gendered language (well, in blatant cases where it can be changed, this does concern me).

[powerfm1]

I was an organizer in the Women's community locally and nationally for over 40 years. I helped start a group in Cleveland called Hard Hatted Women to help women get non-trad jobs - this was back when there were only men police and fire etc. I'm very proud of the work we did and continue to do to empower women economically and emotionally.

I stayed in the venue of women's employment in my professional life and always worked for my heart - what was important to me.

I claim the name feminist for women because it is important to understand that we have the power within us to change ourselves and the world. The world becomes a better place when we understand the power and beauty we encompass and engender.

[many houseapes]

Respectively,I believe that a woman should have the right to vote,own property & get paid as much as a man for the same job-providing that she can truly do as well.
But that is as far as my feelings of equality for women go.
What had began as a great organization has become very twisted as to what a woman should be-how women should think-how they should live(I'm talking about the radical feminists). Not to mention that it has become downright disrespectful of men in general. In my honest opinion- I feel that is wrong & I do not consider myself a feminist.

[rachelMcK]

I believe in feminism as choice. The right for a woman to chose what she wants to do in her life. If a woman chooses to have a career, she should be able to do that. But theres a flip side. If a woman chooses to be a stay at home mom, all the power to her. I've heard of many "feminists" who think stay at home moms degrade woman. I totally disagree, because 100 years ago, women didn't have the choice, they HAD to be a SAHM, a housewife and that was it. Now they can choose and that, I think, is the essence of feminism.

[toile]

Im sort of feel like I am a conservative rep feminist at times LOL.
What does the term really mean these days though.

I worry about women world wide. The struggles they have, the violence they often suffer....
I even adopted from a country for some of these reasons but not totally for that ..

However I teach my daughters how to be sucessful and reach ANY goal they desires. Work or not work...whatever she feels is right.

At the same time, I dont sweat it if my girls want to wear pink or talk about princesses.
I have taught them that no man will rescue you on a white horse and move you to a castle to live and everylasting easy life LOL.

Life can be tough for woman so Im trying to prep them without squashing our girliness.

We are totally ok with our girly hair, nailsm fashion, but we still talk and think about the big issues in life.

Not sure if that makes me a feminists or not.

[Bethany]

Feminism is the radical notion that women are equal with men. We are fortunate in the US to have come to a point that folks view "radical feminists" as annoying. I bet those women in Iran and Pakistan wish they had the choice to be viewed as such.

[perSue]

First, thanks everyone for responding.

Your responses have given me a better practical knowledge of what "today's feminist" may perhaps be.

I know there's no ONE definition for it, and after doing some research I found there are MANY types. (Who knew?)

But, I guess I can be a feminist without being 'radical' - so to speak.
I don't necessarily agree with everything that feminism may stand for, but who does I guess?

Perhaps it's the same as some people take religion... you dont' have to agree 100% to everything that's said... your interpretion is as important as anyone else's. (I hope that doesnt offend anyone.)

Thanks again.

[Mamaof2rugrats]

I do certainly believe in a woman's ability to vote or other similar rights. I don't however believe that women and men are the same and have the same ability to do the same job. Sorry but take a job like police work. You can't tell me a 5'1'' 110 lb woman could fight with a criminal the same way a 6'0'' 200 lb man could.
I personally believe in stay at home wives, stay at home moms. I think that is the best choice a woman could make. Do I think a woman should be able to have the choice to work? Sure, single moms like me have to but in general I don't think it's the best decision although people can do as they please.

[Missourimom]

I probably shouldn't touch this subject. First, let me be clear, I think we should have the right to be educated, vote, own property and to work. However, I do not, nor have I ever, believed we are "equal" with men. I do not believe we can do anything a man can do. We aren't built the same and we aren't hardwired the same. God created us differently to serve different purposes. Radical feminism has hurt our society.

How has it hurt our society?

Look at the number of divorces. Since the 1950's there has been an astronomical increase of the number of single mothers. (Yes, I was one.)

We have a fatherless generation.

We have a deterioration of family values.

We have an epidemic childhood obesity problem. (Can it be because women are too busy trying to juggle everything else and they don't have the time, nor the desire to make healthy and nutritious meals for their families?)

We have women who are tired and stressed from trying to take on too much because they feel that's what they're "supposed" to do.


A lot of women have a problem accepting their husband as the head of the household (it isn't always easy, I know!) and the fact that we were created to be a helper. We shouldn't feel degraded or ashamed of this.....this is the way God intended it to be. This also doesn't mean we should be a doormat or allow ourselves to be abused in any manner, but that we should embrace what we were created to do.

O.K.....now let the atheists and the feminists start flogging me!

BTW, I think my husband is more of a feminist that I am! He doesn't necessarily agree with the things I mentioned and I'm fine with that. I'm not sure my husband has ever read a passage from the Bible, let alone studied it, so he couldn't possibly form the same opinion I have based on scripture.

[Jerseygirl]

In most circles I'm simply considered a feminist, I guess here a bit of a radical. I believe in equal rights for all people.
I do not consider dh head of household, I consider him my partner, in life, in homeownership and in parenting, it's 50/50.
I teach my girls the idea of "girl power" very early on. You can look pretty, dress beautifully, but still be independent. One of the things I truly hope my daughter will do is live on her own for a few years before settling down with anyone.

[powerfm1]

First of all I will reiterate that I am a radical feminist.

Why - because when I first became an activist it was a radical thought for women to have a seat at the table.

Don't confuse radical feminism with man hating. I don't hate men, there are many men I love and respect.

Don't think that because someone is a feminist they think that women "have" to work and not stay home to raise their kids. That's a ridiculous assumption. Everyone knows that SAHM mom's have the hardest job in the world. Every mom wants what is best for their children. If that is the best choice for you and your family, a "real" radical feminist will be the first one to say you have every right to do so.

Mothers are raising the next generation of world citizens and instilling values and morals into children almost inevitably winds up being moms.

As for women being equal in the workforce - here's a radical thought and it's one I used to help get employers to start hiring women for non-trad jobs. Why is it that nurses and nurses aides can lift and maneuver 250 lb. comatose or immobile patients but don't have lifting capabilities? There are almost no mothers who can't carry a 40 lb. toddler and two bags of groceries. Women have long term stamina, men have short term stamina. Women have lower body strength, men have upper body strength. It's all in how you look at it.

I will tell you that a 110 lb. woman can throw down a 250 lb. man. My daughter teaches self-defense. Go watch, better yet, take one of these classes. These are skills every woman should have. Go to a karate school. Don't just assume it can't be done. Go see for yourself.

Don't assume a lot of the hype you hear is true, ask a "real" feminist, she'll tell you.

As far as the breakdown in the family - it's not due to women working, we've always worked. There are huge economic and political systems in play that are reeking havoc on the American family. The media feeds the "feminists are bad" hype to the public so that we don't get together but distrust each other.

Before the women's movement, many women wouldn't have "been allowed" to handle the finances or even participate on a board like this.

By the way, I wear pink and shave my legs and arm pits. Even wear makeup when I go out.

[McD]

[QUOTE=Missourimom;831695]
O.K.....now let the atheists and the feminists start flogging me!
QUOTE]

I'm not going to flog you just because I don't agree with what you are saying. But I'm not going to live 'my life' based on 'your' religion. I'm not saying that you are asking me too---just making that as a general statement.

[Edna_E]

I'm more in agreement with you, so not flogging. I don't agree with all of your ideas here, but it seems to me that what began as an idea that women are entitled to CHOOSE to compete in traditionally-male activities, has somehow morphed into a disrespect toward women who don't want to - and, for what it is worth, I DO work in a predominantly male field and always have and I do NOT take any stuff from anybody about being female.