I have two questions for you. What would you tell me if I asked you explain to me what feminism is? Would you give the same response I feel all over in my body when I hear the word? I have this tenseness in my body that comes over me and I immediately to think of women who hate men and would do anything to rid the world of the hated man species.
This semester I needed to take a class that would fulfill the Interdisciplinary portion of my required credits. Since I am taking my classes on line I had two options. American Indian Studies or Women Studies. My first reaction was that I would take the American Indian Studies class because I could at least swallow most of the things discussed in forums and our required readings. However, there was something that was calling to me from the Women's Studies. As I get older, I understand that in order to truly be able to refute what someone believes I need to understand where they are coming from. So I signed up for this class.
The first assignment was an overview of exactly my first question. The perception that feminism has. Of course, feminism much like religion, has received somewhat of a bad rap because of those who would take something further than necessary. If it hadn't been for women to stand up I would live in a completely different society. I would never be able to voice my opinion in a public forum, I wouldn't be able to excel to a higher education, own my own property or vote for who I want to see in office.
These are rights that seem like they are rights that have been allowed to women for a long time. It only makes sense right? But if you take a look back in just the one hundred years of our history really we have only just begun to earn these privileges. Privileges that are now available to us because of matriarchs of feminism that forged a path to equality for all of us.
Are there some "feminist" who are out there who overshadow the good that has been done? Absolutely! Otherwise, we wouldn't forget about the good that feminism has done for us. It's always concerning to a conservative to think of themselves as a feminist. Some of the biggest debates that feminism is currently involved directly conflict with what a conservative such as myself believes. For instance, I believe marriage is for one man and one woman. I also believe that abortion is killing a life regardless of what stage of pregnancy a woman is in. These are two major issues that the feminist movement lobby and fight for. At this time it is the week for local and state elections. These two issues are highlighted in ads, commercials and debates.
However, after reading quite a bit of the literature I do believe there is good that feminism has done for women as a whole. I also believe that there is still a place for feminism for today's society. After all, I believe that the true purpose of feminism is to promote equality.
So, my second question to you is what wouldn't you have today if it hadn't been for feminism?
