Poll: Are you a feminist?

[alias_sqbr]

So, I've always had a certain amount of interest in women's rights, but always felt a bit put off by feminism for reasons I couldn't articulate. I eventually decided to dig a bit and either get over it or figure out what the problem was. In the process I've become convinced of two things:
(a) I am a feminist, and feminism still has a lot of important work left to do
(b) There are a bunch of things I don't really like about the feminist movement as it actually works

And I got curious about you guys experiences and identities.


If you're not sure what the definition of "feminist" is, well... afaict there isn't a completely agreed upon one, but here's a bunch, afaict the consensus is along the lines of "Thinking society deals with gender in a way that, on balance, harms women, and that this should be corrected".

[Poll #1169959]

I'm especially interested in women who don't identify as feminist: do you have an issue with feminism, or do you think it's ok but just don't see any particular need to identify yourself that way? Other people's povs (including mens!) are also welcome, though.

And yes, vegetus, this does give you leave to rant a bit :) Though I would remind everyone to be civil, openminded, and tolerant. Keep in mind that we have some very different POVs here, any one of which will probably strike at least one person as Wrong And Dumb. Please take any narky arguments outside and try not to start any!

As for myself, well, you can see my (mixed) opinions on this lj. ithiliana's post Racism Imbroglios, White Feminist Bloggers, RWOC, and deja vu inspired me to make this poll, I particularly liked the line:

Within feminist discourse sisterhood became simultaneously an unquestioned assumption, an unexamined bond, and a mode of controlling behavior and containing difference.

Comments

Re: Answering dot points: Part 2

[alias_sqbr]

But the baby bonus was touted as a way the government was helping families and working mothers- very feminist ideas.

Working mothers, sure, families, no. Not that feminism is against families per se, but imo the last governemnt was All About harking back to 50s ideals of Old Skool Family Values.

I think that in some cases that abortion should be the way to go to prevent the suffering of the child.

Ah, ok, that makes sense. I think having an abortion against her will would have to be an unbelievably horrible experience for a preganant women (admitedly, knowing your baby was going to die anyway would make a difference), so I'd tend to be against it, but I can definitely see where you're coming from. I assumed you weren't in favour of compulsory abortions for everyone :)

And yet I have never heard of any feminist organisation complaining about the "Men's" Domestic Violence hotline and the fact all of the advertising for it was aimed at heterosexual men

Yeah, I'm not denying that the vocal feminist organisations have some Serious Issues, especially in terms of heterosexism and racism. Did I mention that people suck? :/

Also, thankyou for speaking up, I think it's vitally important to test ones ideas against people who disagree with them (or at least, don't agree with them entirely) It's too easy to surround youraself with people who agree with you and let your ideas get stagnant.

Re: Answering dot points: Part 2

[vegetus.livejournal.com]

"Working mothers, sure, families, no. Not that feminism is against families per se, but imo the last governemnt was All About harking back to 50s ideals of Old Skool Family Values."

And the new government is all about working families which is very 1970s/80s idea of having it all.

"Yeah, I'm not denying that the vocal feminist organisations have some Serious Issues, especially in terms of heterosexism and racism. Did I mention that people suck? :/"

Agreed. You'll always find people who suck regardless of the movement/organisation/ideology :/

"I think it's vitally important to test ones ideas against people who disagree with them (or at least, don't agree with them entirely) It's too easy to surround youraself with people who agree with you and let your ideas get stagnant."

Not a problem- I like a good rant and I like the way you question and the ideas you put forward. You are one of the few people I can have a well reasoned debate with and I quite enjoy it :)

Re: Answering dot points: Part 2

[alias_sqbr]

Happy to help, and same to you :)