Meg
So bin ich eben
This thread is made by request. SO! Talk about feminism. What do you like about it? Dislike? What do think feminism needs to spend more/less time on? Basically, talk about feminism! 
Care to discuss feminism?
- Thread starter Meg
- Start date
Storyofmylife
The watchful protector.
I am a fan of it, although I am a woman myself. I think we need to spend more time on things that matter. The recent stupidity of reality tv shows, media, and our generation have not done well in our gender's favor, were putting ourselves back a good 60 years. Especially with the way were more accepting of negative behavior from males. It seems as though some of these "internet jokes" like "Get back in the kitchen" and what have you are beginning to be taken seriously and I just don't like it.
I went on a date with a Catholic male a few months back and what he said astonished me. He doesn't think women should be anything more than a vessel for babies. This infuriated me, as he also said that we shouldn't have a right to an education, drive, or our own opinion. "You should respect your man and stay quiet and obedient to him." Ummm I told him "Not only am I going to say no to this, but hell no.
" and I paid for my half of the meal and left. No one should have to listen to that gibberish. Were equal, were both HUMANS. We should have all the same rights as men do.
It's also highly offensive that the average woman gets paid $1 less than the average male, even if she works more than him... It really says something about this country that needs a change. I voted on Hillary, but I'm also glad this nation is accepting of our first African American president... That is a good change, but they're still not ready for a woman obviously. I feel as though she would've been a better Candidate than Obama given her experience within the white house, and I would've absolutely loved him as the Vice President on that ticket.
Anywho this is my view on feminism... Thanks for making the thread Meg!
I went on a date with a Catholic male a few months back and what he said astonished me. He doesn't think women should be anything more than a vessel for babies. This infuriated me, as he also said that we shouldn't have a right to an education, drive, or our own opinion. "You should respect your man and stay quiet and obedient to him." Ummm I told him "Not only am I going to say no to this, but hell no.
" and I paid for my half of the meal and left. No one should have to listen to that gibberish. Were equal, were both HUMANS. We should have all the same rights as men do.It's also highly offensive that the average woman gets paid $1 less than the average male, even if she works more than him... It really says something about this country that needs a change. I voted on Hillary, but I'm also glad this nation is accepting of our first African American president... That is a good change, but they're still not ready for a woman obviously. I feel as though she would've been a better Candidate than Obama given her experience within the white house, and I would've absolutely loved him as the Vice President on that ticket.
Anywho this is my view on feminism... Thanks for making the thread Meg!
Jay
K.I.N.G.
I dislike when women think they can smack, beat, and hit us guys just because they're a woman. But as soon as we lay a single finger on them they call the cops. I've never hit a woman before and never will. I just hate seeing that happen.
Storyofmylife
The watchful protector.
Jay
K.I.N.G.
Lol. Women should have the same rights as everyone else though.
rondachewarrior
I'm not predjudiced, I hate everybody equally.
I find it weird how women say they want to be treated as equals yet the problem is if a girl says a guy has nice abs or a cute butt, THAT'S okay. If a guy says a girl has nice boobs or a cute butt THAT'S not. Or when girls say "Only guys are assholes. I'M NEVER DATING ANOTHER GUY AGAIN!" girls can be bitches too...That's the thing a guy can't insult a girl without being called a misogynistic pig but a girl can insult a guy. I think some feminists can go too far but otherwise guys can be gentleman and open doors, give us gifts (which would be polite to return! xD), pay for our **** and watch our torturous chick flicks when we don't have to watch a single sports game for them also when we wear LOW cut tops or things where our asses are hanging out ...We tell men to NOT stare =_=
Angel
I make good toast
Wimmenz...hehehehe....
Wait, they iz real?
Wait, they iz real?
La Femme Fatale
The Queen
I don't want to be treated as an equal. I want to be put on a pedestal and worshiped.
Just me though, not everybody.
Would I call myself a feminist? Yes. I'm not militant by account however - I don't have a stack load of 'off with his balls' signs, but I do believe in the principles of equality proposed by feminist scholars. I know I do and say a lot of things that would make most feminists cringe, but I feel oppression is what you make of it or how you perceive it. As a labour student, I know that some of the talk that goes at work between desk agents could probably be charged as sexual harassment. But I'm not remotely offended by it - I know it's all in good fun and I know nothing is meant to be taken seriously, not to mention as I've gotten older I've gotten less insecure with regards to sexuality, so I truly don't give a hoot.
To be honest, I hate to see young girls backtalk feminism - because let's face it, without the first wave of this movement, half of us at REN here still wouldn't be able to vote. Nevermind that, we'd still not be people in the strictest sense of the word. We'd be property of our husbands or fathers. I think it would be nice for more women to be thankful of or acknowledge those who made this happen - but I understand that part of history has long been forgotten.
I've seen a few people here post about how feminists would snap at them for holding doors open for them - but genuinely, how often does this happen? You have extremists in every group - they unfortunately give the group a bad rap because they're often the loudest. I've never seen anyone snap at anyone for holding open a door - I certainly don't mind it when people - men or women, do it for me because I see it as a curtesy. I know that whomever is holding that door knows I can open it myself - that's not what its about. Likewise, I've given up my seat on the bus for older men with walking aids before.
Most fair and reasonable person in the world.
Just me though, not everybody.
Would I call myself a feminist? Yes. I'm not militant by account however - I don't have a stack load of 'off with his balls' signs, but I do believe in the principles of equality proposed by feminist scholars. I know I do and say a lot of things that would make most feminists cringe, but I feel oppression is what you make of it or how you perceive it. As a labour student, I know that some of the talk that goes at work between desk agents could probably be charged as sexual harassment. But I'm not remotely offended by it - I know it's all in good fun and I know nothing is meant to be taken seriously, not to mention as I've gotten older I've gotten less insecure with regards to sexuality, so I truly don't give a hoot.
To be honest, I hate to see young girls backtalk feminism - because let's face it, without the first wave of this movement, half of us at REN here still wouldn't be able to vote. Nevermind that, we'd still not be people in the strictest sense of the word. We'd be property of our husbands or fathers. I think it would be nice for more women to be thankful of or acknowledge those who made this happen - but I understand that part of history has long been forgotten.
I've seen a few people here post about how feminists would snap at them for holding doors open for them - but genuinely, how often does this happen? You have extremists in every group - they unfortunately give the group a bad rap because they're often the loudest. I've never seen anyone snap at anyone for holding open a door - I certainly don't mind it when people - men or women, do it for me because I see it as a curtesy. I know that whomever is holding that door knows I can open it myself - that's not what its about. Likewise, I've given up my seat on the bus for older men with walking aids before.
Most fair and reasonable person in the world.
Angel
I make good toast
Given the amount of misconceptions that are apparently prevailing when it comes to these sorts of discussions, why don't some of you feminists put here a modern definition that you yourselves live by so that everyone can see and reference to when making their points?
It might help to clear things up and keep things in perspective a bit more, perhaps?
Also - no one answered my question. Wimmenz r real?
It might help to clear things up and keep things in perspective a bit more, perhaps?
Also - no one answered my question. Wimmenz r real?
La Femme Fatale
The Queen
*pokes boobs* Well, obviously...
Storyofmylife
The watchful protector.
Yep we exist, even on the INTERWEBZ OMGZ. And I agree there can be extremists in every group. I personally love to be treated like a princess and have the door opened for me, I don't understand the women who get offended by that. I love the attention! I just like to be treated as a human that's all!
I just like to be treated as a human that's all!
Meg
So bin ich eben
Oh good gosh. I hate it when women do that. -_-' Men have to put up with so much crap, but if he dares to spend a day play CoD with his friends, so help him. Personally, if a guy I was dating wanted to play Call of Duty all day I would be like, "can I comez? @.@" And yes, I would bring chips and popcorn and it would be awesome. And I'd make him play Dark Souls with me the next weekend.
Well, here's a modern day definition of feminazism for anyone interested. Feminism is the belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes. That's all it is. The great thing about modern day feminism is that it really is for everyone. We are concerned with men's issues as well as women, people of any color, GLBTQ issues, global issues, etc. We just want everyone to be treated equally.
Most of my friends are feminists and we're a close bunch. They're some of the most understanding and accepting people I know. None of us care if you're weird (because we're all weird ourselves). and we have been building the reputation of "do you need help protesting some injustice? Ask us for help!
" So yeah, that's pure feminism. No extremist crap. No misguided nonsense. Just equality for everyone.
Angel
I make good toast
Can I ask a question in that case? If modern feminism is about equality for all, why call it feminism now? If it's no longer emphasising women, would it be better served with a different title?
Or have I got the wrong end of the stick there?
Or have I got the wrong end of the stick there?
La Femme Fatale
The Queen
Probably because they haven't found another 'ism' to call it. I think its mainly the fact that feminism is an established movement that now serves as allies to other movements for equality. They do still primarily identify themselves as proponents of women's rights, and its this kind of group identity that mobilizes them to get behind other movements. You see feminists being part of other movements for equal rights - probably most predominantly for LGBT and labour rights.
Angel
I make good toast
I suppose I'm curious because of the negative association with the word Feminism now...whether re-branding of some sort had been considered at one time or another?
La Femme Fatale
The Queen
I'm not sure about that.
Angel
I make good toast
Sorry, but for some reason I imagined Forrest Gump's voice when I read that (I know it's not quite the line but still...)
So is there more than one branch of feminism now? Say, those who campaign more for the rights of women in countries, cultures and societies where there are still major issues? Also, another pointless question (because I'm that sort of person) - do any of you think that feminism is more of a western thing and as such, pushes (it's the only word I could think of but I don't mean it negatively) a more western agenda when campaigning in the areas I've just mentioned? If so, is that a good thing or a bad thing? Or somewhere in-between? Do those who argue for equality within cultures that do not practice it as we do first ensure they have an understanding of what those cultures are and why they do what they do?
So is there more than one branch of feminism now? Say, those who campaign more for the rights of women in countries, cultures and societies where there are still major issues? Also, another pointless question (because I'm that sort of person) - do any of you think that feminism is more of a western thing and as such, pushes (it's the only word I could think of but I don't mean it negatively) a more western agenda when campaigning in the areas I've just mentioned? If so, is that a good thing or a bad thing? Or somewhere in-between? Do those who argue for equality within cultures that do not practice it as we do first ensure they have an understanding of what those cultures are and why they do what they do?
La Femme Fatale
The Queen
Oh, of course. Feminism is a relatively Western construct - and although there are some movements towards gender equality in what we would consider more oppressive societies, you can't take the Feminism we have here and assume it applies universally - at least not at the same time. Its obviously easier to apply in a democracy than a totalitarian regime or something to that effect.
And then you have to consider cultural practices as well. When we talk about genital mutilation, we are talking about a practice we see as completely immoral and degenerate. I've had guest speakers in class though, who come from these countries and have considered it honourable. Who is wrong and who is right? If she believes it isn't oppressive, is it or isn't it? Or does it not matter what they think, because they are the Other and we know what's right for them?
It all comes down to whether one believes morality is universal or not.
And then you have to consider cultural practices as well. When we talk about genital mutilation, we are talking about a practice we see as completely immoral and degenerate. I've had guest speakers in class though, who come from these countries and have considered it honourable. Who is wrong and who is right? If she believes it isn't oppressive, is it or isn't it? Or does it not matter what they think, because they are the Other and we know what's right for them?
It all comes down to whether one believes morality is universal or not.
Meg
So bin ich eben
That's basically it. Feminism is predominately about women's rights, but we do help other movements as well. There's a lot of overlap between feminism and GLBTQ and even racial issues. We all work together. You meet a lot of great people this way.
I know on my campus some people have considered the name "Genderism." I doubt the name will ever change because it is just a name. I would rather do good work and lead by example. That way more people will see what I'm doing and be like, "hey that's cool."
Branches? You mean like how there's ecofeminists and animal-rights feminist type things? If so then yeah.
One thing I think needs to be looked at is how feminism acts on a global scale. I think that it's great people want women in other parts of the world to have the same opportunities as they do. However, other countries have religions and cultures that influence how men and women are treated that are different from more Western religion and culture. The Western world has been trying to force it's beliefs onto other parts of the world for centuries. What I don't understand is how you tell a person their culture/religion/way of life is wrong.
A lot of countries don't have a lot. I think it would be better if feminism aided those countries to make sure everyone had clean water, food, medicine, and an education (that is relevant to those people) first. Once that happens I bet you these countries will go through social changes on their own.
Angel
I make good toast
Very interesting - thank you
It's been an interest of mine lately, cultural differences and interpretations thereof. I suppose I've always considered the possibility that when in the media (TV, films etc) the characters cite the whole "you come into our country and try to force your ways on us" thing, it may just have some truth to it.
It's also interesting to me that what is considered the norm or acceptable or even honourable in some cultures is verging on anathema for others. Tradition is strong in a lot of countries - something I think perhaps more than a few people in the west don't fully appreciate because there's just not the same level of adherence to tradition, if at all.
It's been an interest of mine lately, cultural differences and interpretations thereof. I suppose I've always considered the possibility that when in the media (TV, films etc) the characters cite the whole "you come into our country and try to force your ways on us" thing, it may just have some truth to it.
It's also interesting to me that what is considered the norm or acceptable or even honourable in some cultures is verging on anathema for others. Tradition is strong in a lot of countries - something I think perhaps more than a few people in the west don't fully appreciate because there's just not the same level of adherence to tradition, if at all.