A friend posted a really odd picture of like 30 cupcakes on her facebook page. It took me a good second to guess what the design was. It was of female genitalia. Now honestly I was taken aback. She is an ardent green peace loving hippy and she is a good friend. But the picture was scandalous to say the least. Hell I would have had the same reaction if it was male genitalia on cupcakes. More so because dude seriously you really want to put that in your mouth as a guy? Yeah anyway.
With slutwalk and the “Don’t wear a bra day” because of what some idiot in Iran said, it seems that all feminism focuses on is the in your face power of sexuality. In this case obviously female. Its like feminism has nothing left to achieve other than say its okay to women to walk around like cheap . The notion being that since women’s sexuality has been repressed for so long we might as well go over board to show how liberal and free we are.
^like Balli posted, there isn't one form of feminism. There are groups within the feminist movement who are conservative and recognize that men and women are equal differently. So they would be fighting for equal pay at work, while also recognizing the biological differences between men and women.
Than there are those who want to fight for equality to such a level that women should also be allowed to take off her shirt in public just as men do. And this is where it comes off as "cheap" but to them it's equality.
Maybe it just seems that feminism is becoming crude because the ones who bring sexuality in it gets the most attention? Let's face it, sex sells and what better way than to get people's attention to make a point with sexuality?
There is so much more to feminism that just posting on your FB about what colour bra you wore that day/what's in your handbag, and slutwalks.
I think it's easy to assume all feminist think the same way, when there are so many different forms and expressions. Maybe your friend just wanted to show how something like Vagina Cupcakes is one way to celebrate the female form, or just that it's something not to hide away from.
My gripe is not so much with women feeling that they need to be slutty to be 'feminists', but rather the whole approach towards women's 'taboo' subjects, it's either one end of the spectrum's extremes or the other.
^the thing is....'norms' as are mostly undrstood......are something which feminism aims to reverse...... 'norms' are based on male dominated society............therefore...... anything to go against the norm is what causes these sorta things........i think.......
Ya that's the core of feminism, that norms are based on a male dominated society. And I think most women do want to change that. But how much change is the question. This is why the original idea of feminism failed, because everyone thought women wanted the same changes, goals, etc. But there are so many religions and cultures at play that there will never be a SINGLE feminist movement.
And like Maddy said, anything which is related to sex is going to get more attention than women trying to break the glass ceiling.
only a problem if the cupcakes were baked by men that aren't allowed to do much else. it does sound like a closet lesbian's attempt to get women subliminal primed though..
Ya that's the core of feminism, that norms are based on a male dominated society. And I think most women do want to change that. But how much change is the question. This is why the original idea of feminism failed, because everyone thought women wanted the same changes, goals, etc. But there are so many religions and cultures at play that there will never be a SINGLE feminist movement.
I think that is a sweeping statement with no basis. I dont think the femisnit movement was based on the theory that every woman wanted the same changes or had the same goals. They fought for equal right, equal pay for equal work, voting rights, sexual harassment free workplace. The bra burning gestures were symbolic - by no means did those actions the core of the feminist movement. IMO.
I think that is a sweeping statement with no basis. I dont think the femisnit movement was based on the theory that every woman wanted the same changes or had the same goals. They fought for equal right, equal pay for equal work, voting rights, sexual harassment free workplace. The bra burning gestures were symbolic - by no means did those actions the core of the feminist movement. IMO.
First wave was more about equality, but second wave shoved sexuality down society's throat. I read an article about second wave feminists' conflicting feelings about their daughters' sexuality because, while they slept around when they were younger, they don't necessarily want their daughters to do the same. So in a sense, equality in terms of sexuality is a failure. I don't think the movement for equal civil rights has failed, nor was it unjustified.
First wave was more about equality, but second wave shoved sexuality down society's throat. I read an article about second wave feminists' conflicting feelings about their daughters' sexuality because, while they slept around when they were younger, they don't necessarily want their daughters to do the same. So in a sense, equality in terms of sexuality is a failure. I don't think the movement for equal civil rights has failed, nor was it unjustified.
Equality in terms of sexuality is not a failure. What is a failure for some is indiscriminate sleeping around - whether done by men or women. Change is not perfect, there are growing pains and adjustments. It is easy to look back in the rear view mirror and dismiss certain aspects as failure. Dr. Laura and the right wing typically harp on that (I am not saying you are doing the same).
As for shoving stuff down someones throat, the right wing is now using similar language when it comes to gay rights. Equal rights dont come easy - sometimes one has to adopt over the top tactics to get attention and achieve one's objectives.
When I say “original idea” I mean the first wave. It failed because women were fighting for different types of feminisms. Some were more liberal (they wanted to be equal in all aspect with men) while others were more conservative (in that they only wanted equality on certain respects like work and politics). Therefore, they did not have a united front when it came to “what” is equality for women. Which meant there were not going to be enough votes to pass laws which would benefit women.
The second wave was a little more divided on the bases of what women thought was equality.
Maybe it just seems that feminism is becoming crude because the ones who bring sexuality in it gets the most attention? Let's face it, sex sells and what better way than to get people's attention to make a point with sexuality?
Hatter said it all. You see..as we all know that there extremist in every or any group. And feminism is no exception.
^ Maybe I interpreted Hatter's post - I took that to mean that some feminists have used sexually suggestive tactics to gain more exposure (no pun intended) to their cause.
Anyway, I have never been to Facebook/twitter etc, so I dont know what is going on in that arena. My reference to these tactics are from the late 60s when there was bra burning etc. I dont consider the kids who (apparently) put some suggestive photos in Facebook as feminists. They are just being kids, doing crazy stuff.
I would not use extremist in the context of feminists. There is a trend (popularized mainly by Fox News) where they try to equate right wing nut cases with people o the left by using statements such as "both sides are bad". Right wing hosts also use terms such as feminazis etc. IMO, feminists have done more good than bad.
. The notion being that since women’s sexuality has been repressed for so long we might as well go over board to show how liberal and free we are.