Feminism and the Ignorant Woman
Feminism: 1. Belief in the social, political, and economical equality of the sexes; 2. The movement organized around this belief (http://www.dictionary.com)
Don’t get me wrong. I’m a woman through and through, and the idea of equality in society, goverment, and the world in general is appealing to me. I don’t particulary want to spend my life working for a man, having my ass grabbed and being ordered to take dictation, make his coffee, and answer his phones. Luckily, this is the new millenium and not the 1950s, so I guess I don’t have anything to worry about, right? Well….depends on how you look at it.
The other day I read a short blog about a self proclaimed feminist who was angry about the fact that her employer had offered to explain the maternity leave policies to her upon her hire. From the short rant, I did not gather that she was of a size that pregnancy was an issue, nor did I take it that she was being sexually harassed in any form. The girl made it quite clear that she wasn’t pregnant. Apparently, the man’s mistake had been in assuming that she’d ever want children in the first place, and that it was highly sexist of him to assume that just because she was female that she was automatically required to understand how the company could help her were she to decide to ever carry a child. My own sarcastic nature, a bit outraged, decided that it would be great if she took that to court. Not only would it make her feel justified, but then all the poor women in the workforce who actually did want children at some point could be left completely in the dark when it came to their own employer’s pregnancy leave polices. Feminism at its ignorant best.
Sometime ago, my boyfriend decided to wear a highly offensive sweatshirt in public. While walking out of the student union at his campus, he was cornered by a self proclaimed feminist who lit into him about not respecting woman and blaming his sense of humor for the problems with today’s society. Apparently, freedom of speech is only allowed if you’re a woman. He laughed, which served to piss her off even more and lead into another tirade about equality and women’s rights. (For the record, I was not offended by the shirt one bit and I would have had the most reason to be).
The definition of feminism seems so varied anymore, much of it built up by political correctness and a few women who’ve “paved the way for others with their activism.” Sure, I’m grateful I can have a job, vote, and run for public office if I wanted to. I don’t take those liberties lightly. But I’m also grateful for the fact that I can have a baby if I want to, or be a stay at home mom, or make my boyfriend, someday husband, a great meal. I’m completely fine with paying for my own movie, bringing home a paycheck, and paying my own bills. I’m also fine with the man taking me out, contributing to the house fund, and buying me a nice piece of jewelry every once in awhile.
From what I’ve seen, feminism has begun to turn into nothing more than tyrannical womanhood. Why give up that part of us which made us a woman in the first place? Why not enjoy a man’s attention, his touch, or his offer to be a man? I’m a feminist in my own mind. I hold a job, work to make myself better, and wouldn’t want less pay than a man for the same job. But being a feminist doesn’t mean I have to stop being feminine. Men should feel free to pamper me, hold the car door open for me, and ask me if they can buy me dinner. It’s that little bit of manliness thrown my way that reminds me of the true and natural power I have as a figure born with breasts.
And please….bring on the maternity policies.
