Question about Feminism Please Help

[ashjohnson80]

Hi, I'm in a women's studies class and I got a "field research" assignment and I was wondering if anyone would like to answer my question to help me out. I only need answers from women.

The question is-

Do you consider yourself a feminist? Why or why not?

There aren't any right or wrong answers, it is just to see what people think of the term. If anyone would like to PM me with the answer that will be fine as well. I will also need a first name and an age. Thank you!

 

[bananiem]

Ann, 40 years old
Interesting question. I've never really thought about it. I feel women should be whatever they want to be and in the work place should be paid the same as a man for the same job, yet I left a career to be a SAHM. I think if some women want to be on the front lines in a war, let them. Just don't include me in that group. (Not saying I wouldn't serve, just not on the front lines.)
I am pro-choice, though I could never have an abortion myself. Just because I wouldn't do it doesn't give me the right to tell others what to do.
So I guess I believe in some of the feminist ideals, but don't practice them in my life. What does that make me?

 

[ashjohnson80]

Thank you for your response!

 

[helenabear]

Elaine, 28

considering that I think feminist is that all men and women should be treated equally, then yep, I'd say I am

 

[Aidensmom]

Well, I would consider myself to be, but there other people that call themselves feminists that would say I am not.

I believe there should be no discrimination based on sex, they should be able to do all the same things a man does, and with equal access and equal pay. I don't think a woman that chooses to be a SAHM is any less a feminist than one who is an executive, as long as it was her choice to do so. However, I have a religious belief that the husband is the head of the household (without going into too much detail, that DOES NOT mean that the husband orders the wife around or is superior, just that he is the spiritual leader), and that belief will cause most feminists to tell me I am not one.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I'm in the middle. I'm a Christian and anti-abortion or pro-unborn baby. Probably strongly so. But I believe women should be able to be whatever they want to be, they should receive equal pay for equal work, should be treated with respect in the work force, etc.
But I think women should put their children and families first in whatever is the best way for them. If you are able to it's much better to stay home with your children before they go to school and to try to be home with them in the summers. I understand there are reasons why some people can't but if it's possible by just giving up some vacations or a new car, etc.
Some feminists therefore would consider me the enemy. But if feminism was just about equality in the world I would be considered a feminist.

 

[ashjohnson80]

these are really great answers. could you guys pm me your ages i need them for my research, that would be great thanks!

 

[va32h]

Yes, I am a feminist.

My interpretation of the feminist movement is that women are inherently equal to men - that is; we have equal value as human beings.

Economically; neither gender should be denied a job opportunity based soley upon their sex (women can be forklift drivers, men can be secretaries).

Pay scales should be based on experience and work performance, not gender.

In terms of legal/civil rights - of course women should not be denied any of their constitutional rights by virtue of being women.

That's what feminism means to me.

Barbara, 34.

 

[miste76]

I used to consider myself a feminist... First I will tell you why I had considered myself a feminist and then I will tell you why I no longer feel that way!!!

I felt I was a feminist because I believe that women and men are equal in most ways (other than the physical parts). In general men are considered to be stronger, but I have run in to several men that were either too weak or too lazy to contribute their share.
I was brought up to believe that I could do anything I wanted to do... not anything that I wanted to do as long as it was meant for a woman. I have spent 4 years in the army and now I am a year away from earning my doctorates degree. I honestly believe that I can have anything I want - as long as I'm willing to do the work to get it. Those that are highly successful (financially) did not get that way because they were simply lucky or they were handed their success on a silver platter - those successful people have something that made them stand apart from the people that did not climb the financial ladder as quickly.

Then... a rude awakening!!! I took a class during my undergrad studies (required for graduation) "Issues of Feminism" or something like that. It was a class full of about 50 women and 4 men. Many of the women (including the professor) whined and complained during every class about how they have been held back in life simply because they are a woman. I felt that if they would spend as much time trying to overcome obstacles as they do whining about them... they may not have hit that glass ceiling.
That was when I realized that I was not a feminist... feminists seem to like to sit around and talk about why they are held back rather than actually doing something to help themselves!!!

Edited to add: I'm 29 years old

 

[ashjohnson80]

This is really great. I must request NO FLAMES at all on this thread. It is simply to see how different women percieve the term. Thanks to all of you I think I'm going to get a good grade!

 

[mtblujeans]

Susan. Age 49. I don't consider myself a feminist. I think the term is outdated.

Women have had a great deal to do with the history of our country; beginning with wives and mothers that traveled from the Old World to the New and the hardship involved there, rode in the covered wagons to the outermost parts of a new country and held down the homestead for months (possibly years) while the husbands hunted or traded to keep them alive.

Then, there are the World Wars where the women did everything while the men went to where ever the battleground was ~ including, but not limited to, running the farm or family business, raising the children, possibly taking an addition paying job in the community, producing the hardware or weaponry needed for the war, etc.

I could go on and on. Women have always played a substantial part in the history of this world, as have other minorities. There came a time when each group had to fight for the rights they desired at the time. I think women have more power than they realize and it is wrong to listen to societies' opinions as reported in the media. Sometimes, women feel they have to get tougher than their counterparts to get what they want out of life or their careers and I don't think there is anything wrong with that. But, I think the term "feminism" has gone by the wayside and people, for the most part, expect everyone to take what they want when they want it nowadays. Women don't need to cluster in a large group or make a spectacle to achieve something as it was once thought/believed.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

I do consider myself a feminist, although some people now give the term negative connotations.

My SO is a little bit older than me, but he seems to be into the new-wave of feminism. I mean he knows I would never just parrot what he says, I have my own opinions, and all of that stuff. I can't imagine ever being a "follower" or labeling myself as part of a "weaker sex." In a perfect world, we would all be equal, but unique.

 

[caitycaity]

Caity, 26

I'm a feminist because I believe women should have equal rights. end of story. To me, feminism is just the belief that women should have the same legal rights as men. Who can disagree with that?

 

[luvmydogs]

Kim, 38, non-denominational Christian, SAHM, pro-choice; and I absolutely consider myself a feminist.

The definition of feminism, for me, means equal pay for equal work, non-sex-based discriminatory hiring/promotion practices, equal educational opportunities, equal respect for contributions made as a SAHM or work-outside-the-home mom, and equal respect for my intelligence, common sense and ability to assess situations and make the appropriate judgements. I don't want to be expected to acquiesce to my husband's decisions or will (or any man's) *just because* he's a man.

I will say that as a graduate of a women's college, I had the exact opposite experience of the poster who said that she saw a lot of feminists sitting around complaining and doing little. As a campus of only women (and I hazard to guess the majority were feminists), we ran everything. I saw amazing examples of strong, intelligent and independent women everyday (and the male professors that gave them respect and helped instill such independence and strength in them). It was a far cry from the way I was raised, with a mother who said that yes, I could go to college, but a woman's real job was to marry and have children. Now, I have absolutely no problem if that is a woman's goal--raising happy, healthy, well-adjusted children is probably the most important thing a person can do (and quite difficult, as I am a mom, myself). But it is imperative that our young girls see being a SAHM as a valid option, along with also being doctors, lawyers, plumbers, carpenters, etc...

Women contribute positively to society politically, economically and socially, and I credit past 'feminists' for laying that foundation for us to do so. I consider myself in pretty good company.

Hope this helps, Ash!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Without reading replies first....

Do you consider yourself a feminist? Why or why not?

Jeannine-40

No.
I see a feminist as someone who is "actively" seeking change for females within our government, healthcare, schools, & communities. I view it strictly as a "political" term.
I see it as a difference between "wanting change" and actively seeking it.

Right now I am not doing anything so I cannot make that claim. I am a SAHM. I couldn't get any less "feminist" than that.

I am not against feminism. I applaud the the works of many of our women that have go on to make a real difference. Maybe one of these days....

 

[KittieKat]

Stephanie, 18.

I most definitely consider myself to be a feminist. I think that women and men should be treated equally. That means equal job opportunities, equal rights, equal PAY. Which still isnt true. I hate how men rule the world. I would love to see a woman president, see how someone with a heart and emotions deals with conflict. Im pretty much fed up with men. They dont like me. I dont need them. I once had this brilliant plan that we should kill off all the men in the entire world, ha, and then make robotic men equipped with sperm so the circle of life can continue. But...it was just a plan.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

43, definitely a feminist.

Old enough to remember when jobs were listed in male and female.
Remember when women could only work for Time magazine as a researcher/ fact checker but were not allowed to be hired as a reporter.
Remember when radio stations DJs were ordered not to play two female performers in a row.
Had to take sewing and cooking in Middle school even though i already could do both. Boys had to take wood shop and metal shop.
My older brother got the chemistry set that i wanted. He is now a nurse in an institution for the criminally insane and wonderfully patient. I have a degree in Chemical Engineering, worked before children and will return to work shortly.
Remember when women were thought of as defective men!

 

[Sandy V.]

Age 46, and I don't really consider myself a feminist per se. I'm more of a humanist (respect and regard for both men and women).

That being said, I do remember wanting to get out of the male-dominated farming community I grew up in. And I did as soon as I finished high school. So I've probably got some "baggage" that gives me some feminist leanings.

 

[Crankyshank]

Jenn - Age 30

I'm a member of both NOW and LWV so I guess you could say I'm a feminist;although I find the term has more negative connotations now. I consider myself more of a humanist as I believe in equal rights no matter race, sex, creed, or sexual preference.
I do feel many women are afraid or ambivalent about using their political voice to promote issues that affect them and I find that pretty sad.

 

[ahutton]

Amy, 34

I don't consider myself a feminist. I do believe that I can do many things, but there are some things I believe men are generally better equipped for, and other things women are. I do believe that anyone should be allowed to try something. I do believe in equal pay for equal work.

I do not believe that there should be a second set of standards that are lower to "allow" a different gender to do a job. For example, take a fire fighter - if the rule is they have to be able to carry 150 lbs. for 100 yards, than that is the rule. No lowering the standard because not a high enough percentage of women candidates who can meet a standard, as long as that need is applicable to a job.