noun {U}
the belief that women should be allowed the same rights, power and opportunities as men and be treated in the same way, or the set of activities intended to achieve this state:
- She had a lifelong commitment to feminism.
feminist
noun {C}
a person who believes in feminism, often being involved in activities that are intended to achieve change:
- All her life she was an ardent feminist.
- a radical feminist
feminist
adjective
- the feminist movement
- feminist issues/literature
There is often a lot of - how shall I put it? - aggro, about the words "feminist" and "feminism", because they mean different things to different people, or groups of people.
Above is the simplest way to describe it really. Of course, it doesn't particularly take into account the various strands of feminism, but that is besides the point.
I know that some people do actually believe that feminism is about trying to achieve female supremacy, or that feminists are man-haters. Maybe for some, it is; maybe some are.
However, just speaking for myself here, my feminism is, put in the simplest possible way, my belief that women should be allowed the same rights, power and opportunities as men and be treated in the same way. I care about people, men and women, but particularly women. Until I feel that women really, genuinely, are equal (and this means socially, not just legally), I will continue to prioritise women in my concerns.
To delve a little deeper, I guess I do, in most respects, identify with radical feminism, in that I look for possible explanations about the current social system, and I see that it is hierarchical according to gender, and that males are superior in this system. This social gender class system, my friends, is called Patriarchy.
The Patriarchy - this system - is the dominant ideology, that of the (white, middle class) male default.
Patriarchy affects everyone, male and female, partly through the socialisation processes into the norms and values of our gender roles, otherwise known as "femininity" and "masculinity", the traits each gender is expected to adhere to. (And yes, I do believe that gender is socially constructed.) I sometimes see "femininity" and "masculinity" as twin pillars holding up the Patriarchy, which is partly why I would like to get rid of these concepts, so that there is no longer a patriarchy, and thus, no hierarchy based on gender.
This doesn't mean I don't like being a (young) woman, or female, because that is my sex, not my gender.
As for other feminists? I don't believe that being pro/anti porn makes you a better feminist. OK, so I tend to read mainly anti-porn blogs, and feminist anti-porn theory and whatnot, but that's partly because that's my own personal leaning, and partly because it's more prevalent, especially in the blogosphere. However, I am also interested in hearing from the other side of the debate.
I don't particularly like the whole "more feminist than thou" attitude. It makes me really sad reading blogs where feminists are arguing in this fashion. I like sisterhood, OK?! Sisterhood Is Powerful! It's always interesting to hear other feminist perspectives, and feminism is pretty damn diverse, with a large and wonderful range of feminists. I'm interested in feminism, in the theories and concepts and the writers. This blog isn't an Idiot's Guide to Feminism.
Feminism is fucking important to me. I think about it a lot. I see so many aspects of my life, pretty much everything, from a feminist perspective. Feminism, at its best, exhilerates me.
SAY IT OUT LOUD, I'M FEMINIST AND I'M PROUD.
P.S. Some other posts about patriarchy and whatnot which really made me think.
http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/04/14/some-notes-on-revolution/
http://witchywoo.wordpress.com/2007/02/11/we-each-pick-our-battles/
http://witchywoo.wordpress.com/2006/12/13/im-a-radical-feminist/
P.P.S Male Entitlement/ Male Privilege Checklist can be found here
http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2007/04/14/some-notes-on-revolution/
http://witchywoo.wordpress.com/2007/02/11/we-each-pick-our-battles/
http://witchywoo.wordpress.com/2006/12/13/im-a-radical-feminist/
P.P.S Male Entitlement/ Male Privilege Checklist can be found here
8 comments:
While I have been reading your blog for a long time, and understand a lot of the basic principles, I still do not see the Patriarchy thing.
We might ask ourselves still, what would the world look like if both genders were treated the same way? I think it would be better.
I'm very honest here. I also believe that what I search for personally is my inner masculinity, instead of these culturally accepted norms that float through society. Those I consider rather weak. And a lot of what I have been told as i grew up simply contradicts what I know I am.
As you know, I respect your views as always Amy, and if your beliefs makes you happy then truly no problem. :)
I would greatly appreciate it though if you could give me an example on patriarchy, as I would really like to understand it. Yet I have a feeling that I know what it is.
Tired and happy,
- Martin.
I can relate to some of your ideas.
My idea of women having choices that are outside of being a mother and homemaker makes me a feminist too in some respect.
But, Feminism has gone overboard and that is why alot of women, men, community groups and political parties are unhappy with it especially in western countries. (This is from my findings)
You should be proud to be a female and want what is best for you (as long as you don't hurt anyone in the process)and you should like your sisters. You sound normal to me.
If I could give a little advice it would be that you look at other aspects of life, history and control of world domination.
Most of the problems in the world have nothing to do with the Patriarchy and never had.
Destroying the Patriarchy is against what many women want and well, it WAS destroyed decades ago.
Didn't solve the problem of women getting assaulted nor of men getting assualted nor of either being killed by the other. And besides, many of the first feminists and leaders stayed happily married.
so as a Feminist interested in EQUAL rights, why aren't you screaming about how men are being treated unfairly?
It's because feminism isn't about equality.
"my belief that women should be allowed the same rights, power and opportunities as men and be treated in the same way."
The ex-pat nods and agrees. It's the whole fashion/porn thing that brought on the "ex". Shrug.
Why did you delete my comment?
Ah well, fuck it. I agree with most you say anyway.
- Martin.
Martin, I didn't delete your comment, I was just really lazy about moderating, and left a few to sit for a couple days. It's now been published, as I'm sure you can see!
An example of patriarchy?
Just look at how women are presented in the media. It's not just about stereotypes.
1) Women have been allocated a limited range of roles
2)Women are less visible in the media than men (After all, in a patriarchal society, they're inferior)
3)Women have been presented as ideals - Ferguson's "cult of femininity" still exists -
4)Women have been selected to appeal to men
etc etc
Female issues are marginalised by the media. To use Tuchman's words, women are "symbolically annihilated" by the media.
If there wasn't a patriarchy, why would women be presented like this by the media, which, by the way, I personally believe is an incredibly powerful institution.
I personally believe that traditional images are deliberately transmitted by male-dominated media to keep women in a narrow range or roles, thus reproducing patriarchy.
"[Patriarchy] WAS destroyed decades ago.
Didn't solve the problem of women getting assaulted nor of men getting assualted nor of either being killed by the other."
Julie, first up, thanks for commenting.
Secondly, I don't believe that patriarchy was destroyed decades ago. True, women do have a lot more freedom and rights and whatnot, which is great. There have been some amazing legal changes for women. But legal changes aren't enough. They weren't revolutionary enough.
Supercop dude, "There are vast biological differences between men and women," yes there are some biological differences, but femininity and masculinity often exagerrate these differences, and even create some which are not natural (such as, femininity promoting hairless legs on women).
"Also, what's really wrong with femininity and masculinity? Why should they be abolished?"
Like I have said, I personally believe that masculinity and femininity are designed to maintain the patriarchy. I don't believe in a society in which there is a hierarchy based on gender. That is why.
Amy,
Hehe, yup. Seeing that now. I've been drinking all night but I'll try to assert my oppinion.
10 years ago I would have agreed on your observations on patriarchy, yet now I know how MRA's view the whole thing.
To them, the women represented in the media is'nt there by mens choice - but rather to assert power over them with their sexuality.
I believe both things to be true to some extent. So I will always argue that both factors should be taken into consideration.
- Martin
Im not so sure why people actually look for hard evidence, or examples of the "patriarchy". Im not trying to dismiss anyone’s views by saying that, but I dont think you cant fully understand it unless you look at it from the right kind of angle.
I wont lie, Im not entirely comfortable with the use of the word myself. Why? Because every time I see it used, especially in certain contexts, it gives me a vision of a group of old men in an underground bunker manipulating the world to their own devious ends. Silly really, but thats probably just my sugar addled brain.
What I really think about the patriarchy though, when I actually seriously try to understand what it is, I see it as sort of like an unconscious mind set in many people, kind of like all that privilege stuff being a good way to describe it. I dont think there is any focused driving force behind it, not beyond an individual persons actions.
Still, Its hard for me to explain my view on it, and perhaps I shouldn’t even try as I dont really consider myself a feminist.
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