A couple weeks ago in the STAR an opinions piece stated, “While I’m at an immediate loss for what exactly feminism should do, I certainly have a few thoughts on what feminism shouldn’t do.” This well-written article raised many important points. For instance, the article stated that feminists should not shame housewives and should not degrade men. Feminism should not be a plea for attention nor serve as an encouragement for violent acts. In response to this list of shouldn’ts I completely agree.
However, as I read all of the above statements I felt a pang of injustice since these attributes of feminism serve to further the stereotype that feminists are bra-burning radicals who seek to dominate and belittle men. Therefore, I feel compelled to now write on a few things that feminism should do by making mention of what it has done.
First, though, it is worth noting that feminism is not a new concept, nor is it a movement only for and about women. It originated, not as a radical movement spawned by the sixties, but much earlier as an important issue of fundamental human rights. In 1869, in one of the first radically feminist published works, The Subjection of Women, philosopher John Stuart Mill wrote, “The principle which regulates the existing social relations between the two sexes- the legal subordination of one sex to the other- is wrong in itself, and now one of the chief hindrances to human improvement; and that it ought to be replaced by a principle of perfect equality, admitting no power or privilege on the one side, nor disability on the other hand.”
Without feminism of the 1900s, women would not be able to vote. Anyone holding an archaic view of voting rights which would deny women the vote might refute the feminist movement; however, any man or woman who supports voting equality must recognize this right as rooted in and supported by feminism.
What other benefits do my peers and I enjoy because of feminism? The list is long. Somewhere between earning women the right to vote, pushing through legislation, opening up universities to female students and advancing the civil rights movement, feminism has made life much better, not just for American women, but American men as well. Partly because of the efforts of feminists, women have the option of working outside the home, and can now enjoy more equity in pay and job opportunities in fields ranging from business to science to politics.
Far removed from the stereotypical and inaccurate image of the bra-burning activist, feminists have proven time and time again that women’s rights are human rights that benefit everyone. Largely because of feminism, sexual discrimination is not just a natural and to-be-tolerated product of the “old boys’ network.” Recently, Title IX is working to ensure that campus sexual assault is not the inevitable and to-be-tolerated product of a culture in which it is assumed that a woman who presents herself as sexual is “asking for it”.
Last semester a peer asked me if I was a feminist. Though I have always identified myself as such I paused when asked this question. Then, I spoke. Yes I said. Yes, I am feminist. However, I was reluctant – not because I didn’t know what feminism meant but because I didn’t know what the other person meant. If my peer meant do I want equality for both genders well then yes of course, I am a feminist. If, however, the peer thought feminism meant women should dominate/belittle men then no I would not be considered a feminist, however that is not what feminism is. Feminism is an advocation for equality.
Yet, our culture as a whole is sadly not on the same page. Our culture needs to understand the true calling of feminism- a call for equality. To be sure, there may be differences of opinion on particular issues, even among men and women who embrace the self-descriptor of feminist. Not all feminists, for example, are in favor of pro-choice legislation. Definitions of what it means to be a feminist may differ on the particulars, but to suggest that we are not indebted to the feminist movement for very important benefits that we enjoy on a daily basis seems both shortsighted and even ungrateful.
With brief support given as to what feminism has done and should continue to do the reader thus understands the truth of the feminist cause: advocacy for equality between both women and men economically, socially, and politically.
Lastoria described his relationship with the college as “a good marriage.” “The college invested in me along the way for those 33 years, and I think I gave back on that investment,” he said. An example of this is the family studies minor, “a popular minor,” said Lastoria, which was co-created by Lastoria after Houghton gave him support to pick up the specialty of marriage and family therapy at the University of Rochester. Lastoria said that while many people may disagree over the state of the college on LGBTQ concerns, he has “been instrumental in at least shaking the tree” in terms of how LGBTQ topics are approached in discourse on campus. It is a conversation familiar to Lastoria who has published various research over the years on the sexual behavior of college undergraduates including a 2013 study surveying 19 Christian campuses nationwide.
