For once, my default pic is especially relevant
There is no singular definition of feminism, no one correct way to be a feminist.
There are Marxist feminists, who believe that we should focus on the intertwined issues of sex and class. There are eco feminists, who believe that we should focus on the intertwined issues of sex and the environment. There are feminism who believe that we should focus on the intertwined issues of race and sex, or sexuality and sex, or any number of different combinations.
There are feminists who believe in protest as in marches as the way to go about feminism. There are academic feminists too, who write ginormous treatises on the topic.
There are feminists on every side of every issue. There are Liberal and Labor feminists (for Americans, Republican and Democrat feminists). There are feminists on both sides of the porn argument (see Porn Wars).
There are feminists (or those that call themselves feminists) who believe that men are actually inferior to women, although the majority of feminists as far as I can see, those that I associate myself with, believe that men and women are inherently equal. Different, but equal.
I hate when people react to my labelling of myself as a feminist with comments like "So you hate men then" or "you think women are better than men". Other frustrating as hell comments include things like "Why bother, we already have equality", because it's complete bullshit.
When women anywhere in the world are being paid less than men for the same or equivalent work, that is wrong. Often these people are refering to my country, though, rather than the whole world - and they're still wrong! Women in Australia are being paid, on average, 83 cents to the men's dollar. How is this right?
While women are still regarded as commodified sex objects, we do not have equality (unless all men are too, in which case we have equality, but it probably sucks anyway).
The toys and clothes available for our children, especially our daughters (although those shirts for guys about beavers etc don't help), contribute to the sexualisation and commodification of women. Nobody under the age of 10, minimum, needs a g-string*, ESPECIALLY not toddlers. Nobody really needs a shirt with the slogan across the breasts "Your boyfriend bought this for me", especially given that it was sighted in the 8-14 year old clothing section. Children's underwear shouldn't have sayings like "too hot" or "hotstuff" or similar across the bottom - and nor should their pants!
Toys contribute even more, especially the hated Bratz dolls. These dolls come with their faces plastered in makeup. Their hair is always straight, and usually if not always features dyed highlights. They all wear sexualised clothing - tight and small. They're only interested in fashion and having fun, which is concerning when the "lifestyle" seems to be what's being sold. (See here: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/raim0007/gwss1001/2007/03/the_only_girls_with_a_passion.html#more and here: http://www.bratz.com)
Katy Perry's song I Kissed A Girl (And I Liked It) is concerning too (going multimedia on y'all, watch out!). It seems to suggest the idea that her sexuality (Katie's) should only be toyed with to titillate boys (especially her boyfriend). YOUR SEXUALITY IS FOR YOU, DAMNIT.
There sure is a whole lot else to say, but I got on the computer for "fifteen minutes" almost forty-five minutes ago, so I have to go. Don't worry, I shall return.
*Having said that, I recall hearing something about dancerchildren of 8-10 wearing g's as part of a costume? Or rather, to fit the costume? Something like that.
There are Marxist feminists, who believe that we should focus on the intertwined issues of sex and class. There are eco feminists, who believe that we should focus on the intertwined issues of sex and the environment. There are feminism who believe that we should focus on the intertwined issues of race and sex, or sexuality and sex, or any number of different combinations.
There are feminists who believe in protest as in marches as the way to go about feminism. There are academic feminists too, who write ginormous treatises on the topic.
There are feminists on every side of every issue. There are Liberal and Labor feminists (for Americans, Republican and Democrat feminists). There are feminists on both sides of the porn argument (see Porn Wars).
There are feminists (or those that call themselves feminists) who believe that men are actually inferior to women, although the majority of feminists as far as I can see, those that I associate myself with, believe that men and women are inherently equal. Different, but equal.
I hate when people react to my labelling of myself as a feminist with comments like "So you hate men then" or "you think women are better than men". Other frustrating as hell comments include things like "Why bother, we already have equality", because it's complete bullshit.
When women anywhere in the world are being paid less than men for the same or equivalent work, that is wrong. Often these people are refering to my country, though, rather than the whole world - and they're still wrong! Women in Australia are being paid, on average, 83 cents to the men's dollar. How is this right?
While women are still regarded as commodified sex objects, we do not have equality (unless all men are too, in which case we have equality, but it probably sucks anyway).
The toys and clothes available for our children, especially our daughters (although those shirts for guys about beavers etc don't help), contribute to the sexualisation and commodification of women. Nobody under the age of 10, minimum, needs a g-string*, ESPECIALLY not toddlers. Nobody really needs a shirt with the slogan across the breasts "Your boyfriend bought this for me", especially given that it was sighted in the 8-14 year old clothing section. Children's underwear shouldn't have sayings like "too hot" or "hotstuff" or similar across the bottom - and nor should their pants!
Toys contribute even more, especially the hated Bratz dolls. These dolls come with their faces plastered in makeup. Their hair is always straight, and usually if not always features dyed highlights. They all wear sexualised clothing - tight and small. They're only interested in fashion and having fun, which is concerning when the "lifestyle" seems to be what's being sold. (See here: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/raim0007/gwss1001/2007/03/the_only_girls_with_a_passion.html#more and here: http://www.bratz.com)
Katy Perry's song I Kissed A Girl (And I Liked It) is concerning too (going multimedia on y'all, watch out!). It seems to suggest the idea that her sexuality (Katie's) should only be toyed with to titillate boys (especially her boyfriend). YOUR SEXUALITY IS FOR YOU, DAMNIT.
There sure is a whole lot else to say, but I got on the computer for "fifteen minutes" almost forty-five minutes ago, so I have to go. Don't worry, I shall return.
*Having said that, I recall hearing something about dancerchildren of 8-10 wearing g's as part of a costume? Or rather, to fit the costume? Something like that.