Question:
How do you define feminism?
Junie
2007-06-22 19:59:58 UTC
How would you define the difference between "classical" feminism and "modern" feminism? Or do you prefer first wave, second wave, and third wave feminism? Or do they all have the same definition and/or the same goals?

What defines whether a person is a feminist, in your view?
21 answers:
Rio Madeira
2007-06-22 20:05:59 UTC
Classical: The right to the vote and higher education.



Modern: Eliminating stereotyping and securing already-won rights.



A person is a feminist if they believe that men and women are/should be equal, and that neither sex should have special privileges over the other (unless biology makes them inevitable).
anonymous
2016-11-10 01:40:04 UTC
Classical Feminism
anonymous
2015-08-06 23:54:52 UTC
This Site Might Help You.



RE:

How do you define feminism?

How would you define the difference between "classical" feminism and "modern" feminism? Or do you prefer first wave, second wave, and third wave feminism? Or do they all have the same definition and/or the same goals?



What defines whether a person is a feminist, in your...
Ronin
2007-06-22 22:31:44 UTC
I read a book by Tammy Bruce called "The New Thought Police". She considers herself a classic feminist and she is a lesbian as well. Her contention in her book was that "modern" feminism isn't feminism at all. It's just very angry women that blame men for everything that's wrong with the world and their primary obsession is keeping abortion legal and totally unrestricted. I'm paraphrasing here and she is obviously more articulate than I am but it's an interesting book and I recommend it to those here with an open mind.
Laela (Layla)
2007-06-23 13:49:08 UTC
I define feminism as women who believe they can have it all and that they can do everything that man can do. I believe in none of it. Rounding it all off, yes they all have the same goals; the newer sects have only picked up where the earlier sects have left off, pruning those practices that were failing and enhancing those that seemed to be working The only thing that defines whether or not a woman is a feminist is whether or not she believes in the feminist idealology. She believes in the feminist idealogy she's a feminist.
anonymous
2007-06-23 20:47:26 UTC
"Feminism is the radical notion that women are people."



I don't remember where that quote is from but I like it! I think a feminist is just somebody who wants to make sure that women are treated as well as men are.
Jeff B
2007-06-23 17:14:34 UTC
Sometimes it seems like sexism, racism or fascism,

there is so much intolerance and disregard for true equality within the context of many feminist views...

It is like women want to be a seperate united force to initiate change based on varied views about women and men.

I say these things as a general point of view.

I am for true equality for all of life on earth, as was given to us. We take life and all of existence for granted.
Deirdre O
2007-06-23 17:07:44 UTC
Modern feminism or third wave feminism consists of garnering equal rights for ALL women no matter what race, class, age etc.

Feminism is a diverse collection of social theories, political movements, and moral philosophies, largely motivated by or concerning the experiences of women, especially in terms of their social, political, and economic situation. As a social movement, feminism largely focuses on limiting or eradicating gender inequality and promoting women's rights, interests, and issues in society.

In the 1960s and 1970s, much of feminism and feminist theory represented, and was concerned with, problems faced by Western, white, middle-class women while claiming to represent all women. Since then, many feminist theorists have challenged the assumption that "women" constitute a homogeneous group of individuals with identical interests. Feminist activists emerged from within diverse communities, and feminist theorists began to focus on the intersection between gender and sexuality with other social identities, such as race and class. Many feminists today argue that feminism is a grass-roots movement that seeks to cross boundaries based on social class, race, culture, and religion; is culturally specific and addresses issues relevant to the women of that society (for example female genital cutting in Africa or the alleged glass ceiling in developed economies); and debate the extent to which certain issues, such as rape, incest, and mothering, are universal.

According to the United Nations Human Development Report 2004: Section 28, Gender, Work Burden, and Time Allocation, women work on average more than men, when both paid employment and unpaid household tasks are accounted for. In rural areas of the developing countries surveyed, women perform an average of 20% more work than men, or an additional 98 minutes per day. In the OECD countries surveyed, on average women performed 5% more work than men, or 18 minutes per day.



Women own only 1 percent of the world's wealth, and earn 10 percent of the world's income, despite making up 49.5 percent of the population.



Women are underrepresented in all of the world's major legislative bodies (see Women in National Parliaments, November 2004). In 1985, Finland had the largest percentage of women in national legislature at approximately 32 percent (P. Norris, Women's Legislative Participation in Western Europe, West European Politics). Currently, Sweden has the highest number of women at 45 percent. The United States has just 14 percent. The world average is just 9 percent. In contrast, half of the members of the recently established Welsh Assembly Government are women.
not yet
2007-06-23 08:31:33 UTC
I agree with Rio and Richard of Fort Bend.



And I plan to read "The New Thought Police" at Ronin's suggestion.
?
2007-06-24 10:31:06 UTC
The belief in the equality and full humanity of both women and men. A feminist is someone who believes in that equality and has made it their cause to work towards it.
Sebastian Flight
2007-06-22 20:32:15 UTC
I am in the third wave with shrek the third on that wave and you add that up twice in the first wave because in the first wave you can get cold in the winter months especially if it is your birthday and you are out on the piste without your ski trousers on the snow is very cold and it is does not bare any resemblance to when you are in the second wave and have had a warm shower and the third wave then becomes more interesting because you have had chance to relax in the warm shower before you have your birhday suit off and you start in the first wave again and being thirsty before breakfast is part of the experience and a banana smoothie is suprisingly good for grown up girls when they are twenty one especially on an empty stomache and I am hungry for a feminine cuddle - does that define a person who is a feminist in your view ?
anonymous
2007-06-22 20:04:03 UTC
i think classical feminism worked on getting women noticed instead of back ground people, like those in a play that are there but arent important, and modern feminism works on getting women respected like having them the main actors and bosses and etc. on the wave thing, i think they have the same definition, but different goals. They both are all about femine pride though. rock. on.
Richard of Fort Bend
2007-06-22 20:44:50 UTC
Rio Madiera said it before I could get here. I'll add that IMHO feminism frees both women and men to be themselves, unbound by gender stereotypes.



Women can be strong, opinionated and stand firm w/o being labeled as 'butch,' and guys can be sensitive and nurturing w/o being labeled as 'fems' or 'wussies.'



We all get to be human - that's a good thing.
johnny
2007-06-22 20:12:08 UTC
well honestly feminism was a good cause, originally. It brought about the much needed equality between men and women. It brought about new doors and oppurtunities for women that were previously inaccessible. But of late, i dont know. Has it become a tool to bring dysfunction to society by isolating the sexes and in fact creating this big rift by creating this illusion that there are far too differences for the sexes to function together. so really modern feminism is just far more radical in comparison to classical feminism
anonymous
2007-06-22 20:49:37 UTC
Well, Juniper, I think you know where I stand. Equality before the law and not forcing people into doing things they do not want to. Equality of opportunity and not equality of identity or outcome. That would mean I am vehemently opposed to what are referred to as " gender " and " difference " feminists. Just on their scientific record alone I oppose them.



PS What is with this calligraphy I see everybody sporting on their avatars lately.
anonymous
2007-06-22 21:21:30 UTC
feminism-sweet to boys, fights with boys. you can be very girly and act so polite, but you like to hang out in lounge pants and a tank top with junk food. you simply need to be able to flip-flop yourself. flirty to tough. just show that you are smart, beautiful, and well....i guess, superior. (but not in a bad dictator sort of way i guess)
katydid13
2007-06-22 23:29:25 UTC
"I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat. "



Rebecca West, 1913
anonymous
2007-06-22 20:08:06 UTC
a better q. how do u realize when the feminist has crossed over to a radical feminist. X-)
anonymous
2007-06-22 20:01:52 UTC
I define feminism as penis envy.
sharpie
2007-06-22 20:02:03 UTC
feminism-n, fe^mean-is-u^m, a joke.
skateboardboi
2007-06-22 20:07:50 UTC
i would describe it as girly. ha


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