Lately the word “femminist” has become a dirty word. This is strange, because I consider myself a femminist, yet I do not hold the “every male on earth is consciously dedicated to opressing women and we must go to extreme measures to stop that” viewpoint that people use the word “femminst” to refer to.
Here is a rundown on my beliefs.
I think sex is an important part of humanity. I think that a lot of times women get the short end of the stick (ack! bad expression) sexually. I would like women to like and understand their bodies more, and become more empowered sexually. I find it very sad that so many females do not like their bodies and are unable to have satisfying sex. I hate the idea that sex is something that men always want and women grudgeingly give up…women should want sex,too! And having sex should be a positive thing- not an experience of “going through” or “giving up” something. They should have the option of being sexually adventureous and having those be a postive experience in their life. That said, I don’t think that women should act unethically sexually, and seek out men with predatory intent.
I am cool with make-up, dressing nicely and dressing provacatively, as long as they bring personal joy to the person doing that. However, I don’t think anyone should dress for other people, or for the specific purpose of being attractive to the opposite sex. Dress how you like it, not how other like you. I also think that one should avoid expensive, painful, or impractical alterations to one’s appearence. This means one should wear shoes one can walk in, not get plastic surgery in most cases, and that sort of thing. The sheer impractically of most women’s clothing bugs me, as do rail-thin women who are not naturally rail-thin.
I think rape is a major problem and is an act of terrorism. The havoc it wreaks in our lives is so subtle that many do not notice it is there, but the threat of sexual violence looms over women’s lives and decisions. Women are in a state of seige and are unable to dress, travel and live freely without the very real threat of violence and humiliation.
I think the media portrays women badly. But I also think the media is a lost cause, and do not seek to force it to change.
I have no problem with pornography, and I wish their was more of it that was aimed towards women, and that they could enjoy it more.
I think that women face a lot more problems in the workplace than men. Their choices of fields is often limited (a de facto limitation created from societal expectations) and it is harder for them to get ahead.
I think females often feel a sense of “otherness”, as if males are the standard and women are a deviation. For example, their are few female musicians, and the ones that exist are always considered “female” first- and all their other attributes come after that. I think that “he” as a generic pronound enforces that sense of otherness, and it bugs me. I could think of a million other situations where my femaleness has made me feel “different” and a little uncomfortable, like I don’t belong.
Spending your time raising children is a perfectly acceptable way to spend your time. Sitting on your ass is not. I don’t think women are either obligated to be a “house wife” nor do I think that they should never be “house wives”. I think they should strive to live a meaningful life- one that is personally satisfing and one that helps the world as a whole. I think men also fall under that obligation, and a man stuck in a terrible job to support his family is in as bad of a spot as a women stuck being a housewife who wishes to do something else.
So am I a “femmist”? am I a “femminazi” (lord that term bugs me!)? Is my femminism out of line? Do I hate males (I don’t think I do)? I need to know!
