Are you a feminist?

[Switch]

Feminism is a word that means many different things to - and provokes varied reactions amongst - many different people. This thread does not propose to issue either a definition or a verdict on the matter, but merely seeks to explore the propensity for BBS members to self-identify as feminist, irrespective of what that actually means to them.

 

[Miss Chicken]

I am a female and consider myself a feminist.

I remember what it used to be like for females. I remember when women could lose their jobs when they got married. when certain jobs were not available to women (i.e bus driver for our government owned metro) and when husbands could not be charged if they raped their wives etc.

 

[Roger Wilco]

I don't know, I'm not not a feminist, but I wouldn't label myself positively as such.

 

[Kelthaz]

I'm a male and I consider myself a feminist. Equality between sexes is a good thing.

 

[Switch]

and when husbands could not be charged if they raped their wives etc.

Speaking of which, there was a story here a few days back about an elderly man whom a court has ruled is able to face charges of raping his wife some 50 years ago, before it was a crime to do so. I don't really know what to think about that.

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

Male. Not feminist. To me feminism implies more of a philosophical viewpoint that holds the subjective experience of a woman at its center. Since I am a man and I am not switching anytime soon that isn't possible for me.

 

[cultcross]

and when husbands could not be charged if they raped their wives etc.

Speaking of which, there was a story here a few days back about an elderly man whom a court has ruled is able to face charges of raping his wife some 50 years ago, before it was a crime to do so. I don't really know what to think about that.

The possible precedent of doing so (that you can be charged with something that was not a crime when you did it) cannot be in the public interest, in my view. That is too dangerous a precedent to set in any legal system.

 

[RJDiogenes]

^^ I agree. That's completely contrary to American principles.

Being an American myself, of course I'm a Feminist by definition. Everybody has equal Rights and society and the government must recognize that.

Now, here in our current age of extremism and reversal, there are many who call themselves Feminists who promote gender separation and stereotyping, who think that sexuality is sexism and so on; but they're not real Feminists, just another flavor of nutjob.

 

[Amaris]

I am male and quite the feminist*.



*Feminist being defined in the classical sense of the word, where one treats women as equals, and advocates equal rights for all.

 

[Switch]

I imagine one would have difficulty finding anyone today who would argue that women should not have the right to vote. This being the struggle that defined first-wave feminism, we are thus all feminists, yes? But if we are all feminists, then what function does that label serve?

 

[RJDiogenes]

Feminism goes back centuries further than the Women's Suffrage movement of the early 20th century. There have been women advocating Feminist principles of equality and sexual freedom throughout History.

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

^^ I agree. That's completely contrary to American principles.

Being an American myself, of course I'm a Feminist by definition. Everybody has equal Rights and society and the government must recognize that.

Now, here in our current age of extremism and reversal, there are many who call themselves Feminists who promote gender separation and stereotyping, who think that sexuality is sexism and so on; but they're not real Feminists, just another flavor of nutjob.

I don't know why but your post reminded me of this Al Franken line.

"Limbaugh was railing about how feminists believe that all heterosexual sex is rape. The thing is, though, I know a lot of women, almost all of whom consider themselves feminists, and I know of only one who actually holds this belief. And we've been married nearly twenty years."

 

[Switch]

Feminism goes back centuries further than the Women's Suffrage movement of the early 21st century. There have been women advocating Feminist principles of equality and sexual freedom throughout History.

SPONGE CAKE

3 eggs
1/2 cup castor sugar
3/4 cup self-raising flour
1/4 cup cornflour
15g (1/2oz) butter
3 tablespoons hot water

Beat eggs until thick and creamy. Gradually add sugar. Continue beating until sugar completely dissolved.
Fold in sifted SR flour and cornflour, then combined water and butter.
Pour mixture into prepared lamington tins 18cm x 28cm (7in x 11in).

Bake in moderate oven approximately 30 mins.
Let cake stand in pan for 5 min before turning out onto wire rack.

 

[Cheapjack]

I believe in equality.

I make Mrs Cheapjack dig the garden.

With a teaspoon.

Then, cut the grass.

With nail-scissors.

 

[SiorX]

I am a feminist. No ifs, ands or buts.

And I still think there's lots of work for intersectional feminism to do.

 

[Nociod]

I believe in equal rights between men and women.

I believe in equal pay for the same positions, if a man and a woman have the same job, then they should get paid the same as well.

However, I do not support that certain occupations should get paid more, because it’s typically a woman occupation. I’ll take an example, in Norway, there was a discussion were feminists argued that nurses should get paid the same as engineers. Their reasoning?, nurses are mostly female, and engineers are mostly men, and therefore men get paid more than women, and that’s inequality.

 

[SiorX]

^I'm not familiar with the politics of it in Norway in this particular case.

I would say that it's worth remembering that in the past, as particular jobs have come to be seen as 'feminine', they've tended to lose prestige. And this has been reflected in salaries.

This is still a problem in nursing. Think about the way prime time TV makes fun of "murses". That's a gendered prestige issue - making fun of male nurses because they're somehow seen to be lowering themselves by engaging in what is perceived to be women's work. It's a stupid narrative, but it's still a powerful one.

So taking a history of gender discrimination into consideration reconsidering the pay-scale of nurses mightn't be as counterintuitive as you might first think. It's not exactly feminism gone mad.

 

[Switch]

I think it's worth noting in this context that Norway is one of the least unequal nations in the world according to UN Gender Inequality Index.

 

[Australis]

I was a feminist. Supported feminist causes when my gf was in college. Even hosted the feminist radio show when she couldn't make it one night (I didn't speak, just played records about lesbianism).

These days, I don't think of myself as a feminist, I just let women get on with it, providing they don't make a big fuss about it.

That said, I watched a couple of eps of Mad Men, and was just appalled at how the women were treated, it's actually one reason I can't watch it. Also seen a couple of old TV shows and movies from those days, it's an eye opener. No wonder women get so angry at men!

 

[Tora Ziyal]

I am a female and consider myself a feminist.

I remember what it used to be like for females. I remember when women could lose their jobs when they got married. when certain jobs were not available to women (i.e bus driver for our government owned metro) and when husbands could not be charged if they raped their wives etc.

Amen. The young women today who ridicule feminism -- and there are some -- need a history lesson.

That said, I watched a couple of eps of Mad Men, and was just appalled at how the women were treated, it's actually one reason I can't watch it. Also seen a couple of old TV shows and movies from those days, it's an eye opener. No wonder women get so angry at men!

Yup.