Feelings are good. Feelings are passionate, and passion is what gets people motivated to actually do shit. :) I'm proud of you, for all the thought you've put into this. Because even though you say you "just" have feelings, these feelings have clearly inspired a lot of thought and reflection.
I enjoyed reading this. ;-; I realize how hard it is for me to keep up with theories on feminism when I'm not assigned readings in class or have to do a research project. :( I'm glad I still have you in my life to remind me of the important things, when I'm all wrapped up in myself.
♥
Now on the content of your post, I don't know what to say, because a lot of me was just going IA! lol Because I do.
I struggled with universalist and culturalist theories, as well - and ultimately I kind of decided the same as you. Though culture is important and the context in which we live defines what we consider to be "universal values" - culture is not an excuse to continue practices that withhold rights from women.
The definition of rights implies inherency. It's not the same as laws, which are ever-changing. And I consider cultural norms more like laws - because *culture* is always changing. But there are some things about the way we treat other people that *should* always be constant.
Now, not all cultures will agree with this. Because TRADITION! VALUES! THINK OF THE CHILDREN AND THEIR FUTURE IF WE INTRODUCE THESE RADICAL IDEAS! But of course they can't, because culture is so deeply embedded in us that we believe what we know *is* the only right way.
I also agree that women's rights isn't about telling women what they *should* want for themselves. It's about leaving that choice open to them. Not all women are the same - of course not all women want the same things. I am reminded of Sojourner Truth's speech (I think that was her, anyway) "Ain't I a Woman?" It's always what I turn to, to point out to people just how different women can be, even if it's just between classes or race.
I enjoyed reading this. ;-; I realize how hard it is for me to keep up with theories on feminism when I'm not assigned readings in class or have to do a research project. :( I'm glad I still have you in my life to remind me of the important things, when I'm all wrapped up in myself.
♥
Now on the content of your post, I don't know what to say, because a lot of me was just going IA! lol Because I do.
I struggled with universalist and culturalist theories, as well - and ultimately I kind of decided the same as you. Though culture is important and the context in which we live defines what we consider to be "universal values" - culture is not an excuse to continue practices that withhold rights from women.
The definition of rights implies inherency. It's not the same as laws, which are ever-changing. And I consider cultural norms more like laws - because *culture* is always changing. But there are some things about the way we treat other people that *should* always be constant.
Now, not all cultures will agree with this. Because TRADITION! VALUES! THINK OF THE CHILDREN AND THEIR FUTURE IF WE INTRODUCE THESE RADICAL IDEAS! But of course they can't, because culture is so deeply embedded in us that we believe what we know *is* the only right way.
I also agree that women's rights isn't about telling women what they *should* want for themselves. It's about leaving that choice open to them. Not all women are the same - of course not all women want the same things. I am reminded of Sojourner Truth's speech (I think that was her, anyway) "Ain't I a Woman?" It's always what I turn to, to point out to people just how different women can be, even if it's just between classes or race.
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