Ooooo this could be controversial! Saw this in the Guardian and thought it was an interesting read, but wasn't really sure what to make of it:
http://m.guardian.co.uk/education/m...0/why-i-started-a-feminist-society?CMP=twt_gu
I do sympathise with the writer but I don't think she is differentiating between what is worthy of attention and what isn't. For example, the men who threw the coffee at her is a clear example of a lack of respect for women, but I some of the other comments are clearly just men goofing off. Yes they are intended to be a joke at the feminist's expense, but is a joke against the opposite sex always something to take as an attack against the cause?
Referring to the photos with statements on them, with comments like these I don't really see the relevance:
"...if she belongs in the kitchen then so does he" - pardon my ignorance but does any man actually believe this? I struggle to believe it exists as anything more than a joke in today's society, as evidence but the enormous amount of woman in the workforce. I just find it an odd thing for the statement maker to make, clearly coming from such a privaledged background.
"... because groping is not OK" - this is again universally accepted, that's why we have laws to deal with it.
"... a woman should have the power and confidence to say no" - agreed, but it's a statement of pretty much nothing.
"... my vagina is my business and nobody elses" - well, obviously.
"... I feel like I shouldn't have to wear make-up in this photo" - then don't.
Some of them however I do think are on the right lines:
"... because people still ask what the victim was wearing"
"... because men should have to factor their kids into their career too"
"... I don't want to feel scared when I go out by myself at night"
"... women should have equal opportunities in the workplace" - I agree to this one but would make the additional comment that having children, to extents, will obviously disrupt careers
I guess I find it hard to believe that some feminists such as these actually know what they are fighting for. Instead, it's just a flag to rally behind and something to be a part of. Maybe that's just a blinkered male perspective.
What do you think?
http://m.guardian.co.uk/education/m...0/why-i-started-a-feminist-society?CMP=twt_gu
I do sympathise with the writer but I don't think she is differentiating between what is worthy of attention and what isn't. For example, the men who threw the coffee at her is a clear example of a lack of respect for women, but I some of the other comments are clearly just men goofing off. Yes they are intended to be a joke at the feminist's expense, but is a joke against the opposite sex always something to take as an attack against the cause?
Referring to the photos with statements on them, with comments like these I don't really see the relevance:
"...if she belongs in the kitchen then so does he" - pardon my ignorance but does any man actually believe this? I struggle to believe it exists as anything more than a joke in today's society, as evidence but the enormous amount of woman in the workforce. I just find it an odd thing for the statement maker to make, clearly coming from such a privaledged background.
"... because groping is not OK" - this is again universally accepted, that's why we have laws to deal with it.
"... a woman should have the power and confidence to say no" - agreed, but it's a statement of pretty much nothing.
"... my vagina is my business and nobody elses" - well, obviously.
"... I feel like I shouldn't have to wear make-up in this photo" - then don't.
Some of them however I do think are on the right lines:
"... because people still ask what the victim was wearing"
"... because men should have to factor their kids into their career too"
"... I don't want to feel scared when I go out by myself at night"
"... women should have equal opportunities in the workplace" - I agree to this one but would make the additional comment that having children, to extents, will obviously disrupt careers
I guess I find it hard to believe that some feminists such as these actually know what they are fighting for. Instead, it's just a flag to rally behind and something to be a part of. Maybe that's just a blinkered male perspective.
What do you think?