Feminism
Since half way through college I have been looking for the correct words on why female using their sexuality isn't feminism. Today I found those words...literally. Here is an opinion article from The Kansan...I think it's great and it even disses Britney Spears. Oh and I promise I didn't write this...even though it really sounds like I did.
What is a feminist? Are you a feminist? It is amazing to me just how many people answer no to this question. Upon further inquiry, I find it is mainly because of the misconception of what a feminist is. Let me set the record straight.
A feminist believes in the equal opportunity between both male and female. A feminist does not believe that one is better then the other or that all males should be exterminated from off the face of the earth.
A feminist does believe that men and women should receive the same amount of pay and opportunity for education and advancement based upon skill and not gender. There are of course different levels of extremes, but in all reality, a feminist simply believes in equality. Both men and women can be feminists, and both should be.
This leads me to my next point, there is a misconception that a woman who claims to be strong and independent is either a butch lesbian, or sexually promiscuous in both action and appearance. After explaining what feminism is, I hope the first misconception can be done away with.
This second misconception, which can be attributed to various pop culture icons, such as Madonna, or characters like Kim Catrall's character on Sex and the City, sends the message that turning one's body into a walking sex object is an expression of freedom and independence. This is counter productive to true feminism for the following reason. A woman who chooses to use her body as a tool is merely playing into the hands of a patriarchal society that would like to keep her in submission by confusing her with various ads and products that proclaim that it is her body that gives her power and respect rather then her intellect and ability.
Women who use their bodies rather then their brains have done nothing but play into the hands of men by giving them what they want in exchange for power and control. At first, this may seem intelligent and smart on their part because they were able to use their sexuality to manipulate and achieve their goals, but that kind of manipulation has been going on since the creation of men.
Sampson and Delilah is a good example, or more recently, how about Britney Spears? This is an example of someone who used her sexuality to create a nice bank account, but at the end of the day, what is she really known for?
How many people here respect Britney Spears? How many people think, "Oh, now there is a very intelligent and able woman?" There is nothing special about using ones sexuality to get ahead. That is not admirable or progressive. Covering your cleavage, dressing and conducting oneself in a manner that demands respect and forcing the world to look into your eyes rather then down at your chest, now that is something to be admired.
To be respected because of your ability rather then your appearance is what women's liberation was really all about. It was not about turning women, who were for a time private sex objects, into public sex objects.
I am not advocating that women should start wearing nothing but burkas or pantsuits or anything, but I am advocating the rejection of the idea that the sexually-explicit and provocative woman is something to be admired. This kind of woman is not independent, or even a feminist. By using her body as a way to gain control she is still relying upon men and the patriarchal culture around her to give her validation and success through the acceptance of her body rather then her ability.
A true feminist rejects this kind of physical dependence and uses her intellect and ability to achieve her goals and desires. Feminism is not about sex. It is about equality and this equality cannot be achieved while either male or female still rely so heavily upon the differences and appearances found between the opposing sexes' bodies. Sexually-provocative women are not admirable and strong, but rather they are weak. They do nothing but hinder and hurt our nation's battle cry for equality.
What is a feminist? Are you a feminist? It is amazing to me just how many people answer no to this question. Upon further inquiry, I find it is mainly because of the misconception of what a feminist is. Let me set the record straight.
A feminist believes in the equal opportunity between both male and female. A feminist does not believe that one is better then the other or that all males should be exterminated from off the face of the earth.
A feminist does believe that men and women should receive the same amount of pay and opportunity for education and advancement based upon skill and not gender. There are of course different levels of extremes, but in all reality, a feminist simply believes in equality. Both men and women can be feminists, and both should be.
This leads me to my next point, there is a misconception that a woman who claims to be strong and independent is either a butch lesbian, or sexually promiscuous in both action and appearance. After explaining what feminism is, I hope the first misconception can be done away with.
This second misconception, which can be attributed to various pop culture icons, such as Madonna, or characters like Kim Catrall's character on Sex and the City, sends the message that turning one's body into a walking sex object is an expression of freedom and independence. This is counter productive to true feminism for the following reason. A woman who chooses to use her body as a tool is merely playing into the hands of a patriarchal society that would like to keep her in submission by confusing her with various ads and products that proclaim that it is her body that gives her power and respect rather then her intellect and ability.
Women who use their bodies rather then their brains have done nothing but play into the hands of men by giving them what they want in exchange for power and control. At first, this may seem intelligent and smart on their part because they were able to use their sexuality to manipulate and achieve their goals, but that kind of manipulation has been going on since the creation of men.
Sampson and Delilah is a good example, or more recently, how about Britney Spears? This is an example of someone who used her sexuality to create a nice bank account, but at the end of the day, what is she really known for?
How many people here respect Britney Spears? How many people think, "Oh, now there is a very intelligent and able woman?" There is nothing special about using ones sexuality to get ahead. That is not admirable or progressive. Covering your cleavage, dressing and conducting oneself in a manner that demands respect and forcing the world to look into your eyes rather then down at your chest, now that is something to be admired.
To be respected because of your ability rather then your appearance is what women's liberation was really all about. It was not about turning women, who were for a time private sex objects, into public sex objects.
I am not advocating that women should start wearing nothing but burkas or pantsuits or anything, but I am advocating the rejection of the idea that the sexually-explicit and provocative woman is something to be admired. This kind of woman is not independent, or even a feminist. By using her body as a way to gain control she is still relying upon men and the patriarchal culture around her to give her validation and success through the acceptance of her body rather then her ability.
A true feminist rejects this kind of physical dependence and uses her intellect and ability to achieve her goals and desires. Feminism is not about sex. It is about equality and this equality cannot be achieved while either male or female still rely so heavily upon the differences and appearances found between the opposing sexes' bodies. Sexually-provocative women are not admirable and strong, but rather they are weak. They do nothing but hinder and hurt our nation's battle cry for equality.