Is Feminism Good or Bad?

[Pangur Bán]

I had a conversation with a female friend of mine a few days ago. She was saying that traditional feminism was a bad thing because it devalued the natural differences that woman have from men. She wasn't attacking feminism in general, but the particular aspects of it where a woman's traditional role (staying in the house, bringing up children, etc) are undermined by over-emphasis on a woman's right to compete with men in their own environment. Now we have women, like Lisa Simpson for instance , who refer in disgust to the "traditional woman" as a "baby machine" as if the acts of having and bringing up a child.
were inherently lower than pursuing a professional career.

I'm not going to say what a woman's role should be, but I will say that I agree that this kind of feminism is disgustingly insulting to the fairer sex. After all, reproduction and motherhood are much more important than any professional career is. We need human beings first if we're going to have doctors, lawyers and teachers.

But, feel free to have your say

 

[Fez_Monk]

There is more than one type of feminism.

 

[MrPresident]

Let me put it this way.

Bra-burning = Good.

Blaming men for everything = Bad.

 

[gr8ful wes]

Women should be proud to be women, and men should be proud to be men. We are sexual beings and should not supress the feelings we have. We have seen 30-40 years of feminization of the male, and frankly it is dangerous. (not healthy, or good for society)

 

[Hitro]

Contrary to you I think the traditional Feminism is a very good and necessary thing, because I think women should indeed have the same rights, duties and opportunities as men. Traditional roles are usually just ways of ensuring that the less talented can put down the more talented.

What I don't like is the Feminism we see in today's Western societies. It's no longer about equality, but rather about putting women in a better position than "the evil men who destroy the world"...

 

[andrewgprv]

Like any ideaology points always become crossed or confused or misconstrued.

The feminist movement is not about saying that a women should work or that being a house wife is a demeaning life.

It is saying that women should have the right to work and should not be looked down on for not wanting to be a housewife.

The point is that a women should not be pinned into a pre-determined role and life with no choice. If she wants to stay at home and clean and cook and have kids then she can but if she wants to start a Fortune 500 company or be a General of the Armed Forces she should be able to as well, with no discremination put on her due to being female.

It's about being who you want without having to conform to a pre-determined role.

 

[andrewgprv]

Double Post

 

[Boba Fett]

what is feminism

 

[Zarn]

Feminism in general is a good thing. Woman should be able to have oppertunity just like men. Correct me if I am wrong, I think that is what feminism is about. Some extreme forms of feminism and their followers are ridiculus. They are almost as bad as my grammar and spelling. I am talking about taking rights away from men, mostly. I feel they give feminism a bad name, and people (male or female) shouldn't pay heed to them. So it is both good and bad. Hopefully the bad eventually quiets down.

 

[jack merchant]

Originally posted by calgacus

I'm not going to say what a woman's role should be, but I will say that I agree that this kind of feminism is disgustingly insulting to the fairer sex. After all, reproduction and motherhood are much more important than any professional career is. We need human beings first if we're going to have doctors, lawyers and teachers.

But, feel free to have your say

The good thing about feminism is that it gives women a choice of what they want to do - pursue a professional career, raise kids, or try to do both. Child rearing hasn't always been done in what is now known as the 'traditional family'. Tradition by itself is not a reason to do something - female circumcision is still a tradition in some parts of the world too after all !

When women choose to retire from their jobs to rear their kids, that's fine. If they choose to pursue a career instead, that's also fine. Nobody should make their choices for them, and that's what feminism is about.

on edit, Andrewgprv beat me to it

 

[nihilistic]

I don't think feminism is about what a woman does. I think it is about the women being able to choose what they want to do. The feminism movement can be visualized as women forcing options to be open to them. However, claiming that it is unacceptable for them to not take these new options is also an unreasonable constraint. If a woman is not able to decide what she want to do for herself, she is not free.

Or as The Onion puts it, it's not which choice they choose, it is the act of choosing.

 

[amadeus]

Feminism is fine, ********sm isn't.

 

[Leonel]

I'm thinking it generally is a good thing but is taken advantage of by women who will abuse it for their own self gain. But I'm not worried anyway. It'll fade away like all political theories.

 

[Benderino]

Women want to have their cake and eat it too. Sure, they want equality everywhere, then they want us to hold the door open (which I do anyway) then the guy has to do everything, blah blah blah.

I don't think men are better or women are better. I have come to recognize the differences (not just physical, but they're there too). Men and women aren't the same, so equality is a tough subject. Discovery channel said so.

Lastly, yes, like most of you, I am tired of being the "big, bad male".

 

[Archer 007]

Its bad.
Most feminists are man-hating lesbians. Lets blaim men for society's ails .
Plus claiming fetuses are a body part doesnt help them in my book.

 

[YNCS]

Originally posted by archer_007
Its bad.
Most feminists are man-hating lesbians.

I have known many feminists. Only one of them was a lesbian and she didn't hate men, she just wasn't sexually attracted by them.

Unfortunately, archer_007's comment is an example of a regretable trend in political and social debate. One takes an extreme, claims that it is a typical example of the group, and then denigrates the entire group for characteristics most of the group don't have.

 

[WillJ]

Good and bad, but mostly good. The bad types are:

1. hating men in general, or stereotyping men (besides jokes)
2. demanding equal rights, but not equal duties. For example, thinking women should have the right to vote, but not have to have to fight in combat (even if she's physically able to).
3. thinking women are better than men

 

[Higher Game]

If you think feminism is a good thing... You have never tasted home made apple pie!

A woman that stays in the kitchen, and takes care of kids, and keeps the house clean is a gem! I could work 3 shifts for my woman to stay home and keep it all organized. It would be worth it all, but I haven't found a woman like that yet.

 

[aaglo]

The answer: Yes.

 

[eyrei]

As with almost everything else, feminism when it is invoked by reasonable human beings is a good thing. However, those that take it to an extreme, and simply want to tip the scale to the other side are up to no good.