A father asks, what's up with feminism in 2007?
In recent weeks we've seen several guests provide from the "canonical topics in feminism."
I would love to hear some of the uncommon topics in feminism hear at the Cafe. Or discuss why the atypical topics are not worth talking about.
Some of these topics are ones I have alluded to in my comments at the Cafe.
Topics like:
Is there evidence of an overly politicized agenda in womens studies? Suggested speaker: Daphne Patai
Why do there seen to be so many outcasts and former feminists? How does mainstream feminism handle critique?
What is the "individualist" take on feminism and how does it differ from a "progressive liberal" take: suggested speakers, Cathy Young or Wendy McElroy (and wiki)
Why do so many young women consider themselves empowered, yet refuse to identify themselves as feminists? And if that is a real trend, does that have anything to say about how mainstream feminism is off course?
I have no answers to any of this. I have my suspicions.
I have considered myself a feminist since the early 70s. I am a father of girls who I want to be able to accomplish anything they desire. But I think feminism is off course, and I think critiquing it is the third rail of the liberal world, and the third rail of our progressive blogosphere.
Great questions. I will not pretend to be "up" on current feminist thought or even various personalities and agendas. But I - as a modern self-described "feminist" - will take a stab at some of the issues you bring up.
IMO, feminism has been about struggling to bring power and opportunity to repressed groups. At one time, that was all women and people of color. We have truly come a long way. So far that most young women do have an exponentially expanded horizon ahead of them compared to their female ancestors. But activist soul of feminism is the same today as it was 30 and 50 and 80 year ago. The difference is that the groups that are suffering the greatest repression today are GLBT and women in the highest ranks of various fields. This is where 90% of modern "feminist" effort is directed.
Feminism has always been two steps ahead of social comfort. The same is true today - and the emphasis on sexual orientation makes many people uncomfortable. This leads to modern women identifying themselves as "empowered" but at the same time backing away from the feminist label (well, that and abortion). And probably contributes to the waxing and waning of various feminist's populariy.
Do you suppose "mainstream" feminists through the ages have ever been completely supported and greeted with approval? I don't.
FWIW - I agree with you that there is certainly room for new ideas and directions in feminist thought/effort/activism. And I suspect that that is part of the natural evolution of the dialogue.
March 28, 2007 9:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree with much of what you say, but I disagree that young women are hesitant to call themselves feminists due to the support of feminism to the GLBT community and abortion.
I think young women are enjoying what feminism has provided them, but feel there is something about "modern" feminism that is alienating to them. I read at one blog a message that sounded right to me, though of course, I have no way of knowing, but the message was that to younger women, modern feminism is like instead of having men tell you everything you need to do and believe and what your worth is, now you have a group of women telling you everything you need to do and believe and what your worth is, and younger women like the freedom they have and the intelligence to just like doing what they want.
And I think that is tied in with what I perceive as mainstream feminism's inability to accept critique, and so one answer as to why there are so many "former feminists" or outcasts.
I have no idea if any of that is true -- I don't study the area. But it is something I would love to hear a wide range of feminists discuss.
But there are aspects of feminism that do directly affect my life and the lives of other fathers in a very negative manner, and that I believe are very self-defeating for feminism itself, and so I find it frustrating that very few liberal blogs have the ability or courage to be able to publically critique feminism. I will get more into that in a later blog entry.
And I almost think that feminism is unique in that manner in the liberal progressive blogosphere agenda. The other planks of our platform have a wide variety of fews and a healthy debate. But feminism seems to be thought of as the third rail.
Anyway, that was long enough, and I really do appreciate your time and your response. So thank you!
March 28, 2007 11:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
My experiences with young women (I'm a 30-something, but I work on a college campus so whichever demographic counts as "young"...lol) is that the efforts of modern feminism are devoted to extreme social positions - GLBT and anti-abortion being two. But coupled with both of those areas is the perception of a very anti-male sentiment. I have experienced women distancing themselvs from the feminist moniker because of the associated perception of being anti-male, anti-hetero marriage, even anti-child (in the extreme). Some women are having a hard time fitting in so-called "traditional" desires for marriage, family, and leaving the workplace with goals of "modern" feminism.
On the one hand, I hear women laud the efforts of past feminsts for giving them the ability to "choose" not to live the power-woman role and then turn around and distance themselves from the movement today because of too much emphasis on liberal social issues and an implied disdain of "traditional" female roles (wife, mother, etc).
I think the inability to be open to critique is simple fear of repression in disguise. But like I siad, I think there is plenty of room for evolution in the feminist discussion and women (and men!) of all backgrounds and desires have something to contribute. I proudly call myself a feminist and am a definite career-gal. Yet I am also a proud wife and mother and can apreciate the desire for greater incorporatin of all areas of female life into feminist discussion rather than such an intense focus on social issues and isseus of power that are largely directed outside of the home.
Just my thoughts....
March 29, 2007 7:41 AM | Reply | Permalink