My Views on Feminism (In Another's Words)

[windscryer]

So this actually came from tumblr, but this has been on my mind SO MUCH lately-partially as I think and plot an original 'verse I've had in the back of my mind for many years now, and partially just thinking about life in general-and I just think it's really important for me to put out there. Because while I don't condone the attitude of "[insert bullshit grouping here] can't do [insert activity that, really, ANYONE can do]", I also don't condone the attitude of "[member of said bullshit group who chooses not to do activity] is anti-[bullshit group]".

Not everyone CAN do everything-and that's OKAY. Even if they can, sometimes they choose not to and that's ALSO okay. Why can't we all just respect that we're human beings born with the right to choose what we want to make of our lives and let it go at that? As long as you're not denying someone else their right to choose, it's YOUR life to make something or nothing of.

/soapbox

*insert original quote by planets-bend-between-us:*

can I just voice a few unpopular opinions regarding my take on feminism?

• the idea of a damsel in distress is not anti-feminist until the need for saving becomes the sole purpose of the character. while stories of women who don’t need saving are groundbreaking and empowering, it’s, in my opinion, anti-feminist to place the character so high up on a pedestal that they will never need saving. feminism isn’t about glorifying a gender; it’s about equality. so a woman (who is defined outside of being a damsel in distress) that needs saving at some point is, therefore, not anti-feminist.

• the structure of marriage, family, and what may be viewed as the stereotypical lifestyle that follows is not anti-feminist. some women choose this lifestyle. some women want to be stay at home moms and raise a family and do household work while their husband provides financially, versus being a career woman. and there is nothing wrong with any of those choices.

• while many of us agree that slut shaming is anti-feminist, the girl who chooses not to engage in a sexual lifestyle is not anti-feminist either, unless they are participating in slut shaming themselves. some women will choose to remain abstinent, some may even choose to wait until marriage or at least until they’re in a long-term relationship to have sex. that’s perfectly acceptable. shaming them for that choice is defying feminism.

• females and female characters do not need to be doctors, lawyers, scientists, physicists, linguists, psychologists, intellectual creatures, or super heroes with super powers to be strong women. this idea in itself is anti-feminist, as it implies that anything mediocre or below is shameful. feminism is an inclusive cause, meaning that every person of every background, belief, status, orientation, and intellectual level are represented equally.

disclaimer: I don’t claim to represent everyone’s ideas of what feminism is and should be. the only person I’m representing is myself and my own opinions. and if you just happen to agree with me, that is fantastic!

Just putting this out there for consideration. *nudges and then sits back and politely sips her cocoa*