On Feminism

[desertvixen]

I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a door mat or a prostitute. ~Rebecca West, "Mr Chesterton in Hysterics: A Study in Prejudice," The Clarion, 14 Nov 1913

Feminism is the radical notion that women are people. ~Cheris Kramarae and Paula Treichler
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 So, I read something today that set me off.  tepintzin and garpu can probably guess what.

 Feminism is a big concept, and a lot of people have different opinions about what it does and does not cover.  It is complex, both politically and socially.  For me, however, feminism can be defined quite simply.

 Feminism is about women having choices.  Having real choices, not just picking the least bad choice. 

 It is not about women being superior to men, but it is about women not being inferior to men.  Men and women have differences, such as physical and biological differences, but those differences do not make one gender better.  It just makes them not the same.

 It is not about every woman having a high power career, or bashing stay-at-home moms, or making all women earn their own money.  It is about ensuring that women who need to work can have access to good, reliable, and not break-the-bank expensive so that they can work, whether they work because they need to or because they want to.  It is about women being able to freely choose to stay home because they want to, or because it makes the best economic sense for their situation.

 It is about women's sexual health not being politicized.  If a woman needs access to birth control, that access should not be constrained by what the government decides she should have access to, or a pharmacist who doesn't like her prescription or where she recieves her medical care.  If a woman needs an abortion - whether because it is medically required or because she simply does not feel she is in a place where she can raise a child - she should be able to get one.

 It is not about "getting even" with men, but it is about getting things right.


 DV

Comments

[cynthia1960.livejournal.com]

Nice capsule summary; I'm assuming that the "good, reliable, not break-the-bank expensive" is referring to child care, yes?

[desert-vixen.livejournal.com]

That would be a bingo.

We pay more for childcare than we do for a car payment - or would, if I was only making the minimum on my car payment.

Thanks!

DV

[kishiriadgr.livejournal.com]

The poster to whom you are referring is a new one to surface in catholicism. I notice that she took advantage of the moderator's being off to have a baby to flaunt the "no abortion discussion" rule. Nice! I took a look at her LJ and she's the biggest example of why women need feminism that I've seen in a long time. See her stress about turning 30! See her stress over whether or not men like her!

I had some more comments on this in my own LJ.

[desert-vixen.livejournal.com]

The whole "we're not supposed to talk about this but I'm going to anyway because I'm special" bit irritates me.

Then again, there are days when I wonder why I even read the comm.

DV

[kishiriadgr.livejournal.com]

Yeah, me too.

[domesticjulie.livejournal.com]

Well said.

[desert-vixen.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

DV

[rockahulababy.livejournal.com]

I couldn't agree with you more or have said it better myself. So many people don't understand what feminism is really about and there are some feminists themselves who have a warped view of it, as well. I constantly hear people - men, in particular - talk about how women want "special treatment" and that is all feminism is about, and it's not. It's so hard to discuss these points with them, too, because they always branch out into another and it's just insane. (And I also find it difficult to have a discussion with someone who is so adament about being a damn "victim" that it's impossible for them to stop and see your point.)

I'm ranting now and preaching to the choir. :)

[tygerr.livejournal.com]

You rock. :-)

I'm quite sure I haven't said that in rather too long.