Richard wrote
(Richard)++I'm very glad that you are on the frontline and heavily involved
in activism but I'm afraid that what you write above is very common amongst
people not grounded in feminist theory.
>>Hello Richard. It's good to see a male feminist on the list. We need more
of them :-) Your comment seems to imply that your "feminist theory" is
different to the "feminist theory" that I believe to be true.
Also, what are your own "groundings in feminist theory" and what
life/feminist experience have you had?
++Don't take this as too hard a criticism since i expect its
just the different biography your life has gone (that isn't supposed to sound
dismissive or arrogant).
>>Haha, you write of the "different biography of my life" yet you know
little of me, my age, my qualifications, my experience etc etc - so in a
sense you are being a little dismissive and arrogant and to some extent you
are assuming things about myself without knowing the facts :-)
++However, part of the friction between 'academia' and
'activists' (a false divide I know) is when activists come out with such
populist and uncritical essentialism. What exactly do you mean by 'women's
business' and 'men's business'??????????
>>You draw a divide between "academia" and "activists" which is very
interesting. I practice applied feminism and I am very comfortable with who
I am and what I do. I actually network woth women in many different areas
and encourage women/girls to take the initiative in many areas I am involved
in. My closest friend is a woman with post graduate studies in womens
studies and who is currently doing a Masters in family and marriage
therapies and has extensive
feminist grounding and practicle feminist experience. However, back to the
activist side of feminism and "populist and uncritical essentialism" ....and
"women's business".
++I will explain "women's business" to you. I borrowed a phrase from the
Australian Aboriginal people whose traditional lifestyle involves "womens
business" , "man's business" and "communal business".
Firstly Richard , as a male -
You cannot have a period
You cannot lactate
and You cannot bare children.
This is a crucial part of "women's business". The baring and raising of
children as part of our "biological" role.
Women are not valued for these capabilities and they should be and they
should also be compensated in terms of these capabilities.
No feminist theory that is in denial about women's differences from men will
ever change women's position in our society until theory validates womens
difference from men and compensates women in capitalistic terms (for we live
in a capitalist society) for their difference. Womens biological capabilities
are a very valuable thing and it is not possible for any man to have these
capabilities.
Further more I'd like to raise a couple of important points. Many women are
capable of raising children and holding down paid employment if they so wish.
I believe it is important for women not to lose their community skills and
to maintain access to paid work if they so desire. It is healthy for women
to remain in touch with the community and society and not to be locked away
with children. In many past societies, extended families were the norm and
women were
not given sole responsibility for raising their children.
Secondly, I believe in equality of men and women but that equality for women
is not about being the same as men. Equality is about validating womens
difference from men. Women are given no status for womanhood,no validation
for childbearing and raising and no financial compensation for their
capabilities in these areas.
Thirdly,the feminine quality of women is very necessary for a healthy
society. Feminine people can be assertive in a feminine way that is very
powerful and
different to that of men. I often work quietly behind the scenes or in a
confrontation (in my own conciliatory and feminine way) and have been able
to bring about changes in various issues and also I have taken on abusive
patriarchs and won (I believe) against the system (and gained respect for my
beliefs of the unacceptability of the abuse of women and children).
If women try to be pseudo males and to wipe out/ignore woman hood , God help
society for we will end up with an over masculanised and aggressive society
(and I believe, at least in my country, we are already seeing an escalation
of aggresive masculanisation of society which is very unhealthy).
Lastly, and this may upset some people, what is wrong with a society that
pressures women to delay childbirth until their 30's and even 40's so they can
concentrate on career opportunities early , when it is better for their
bodies to have children early when bones and muscles are supple. I am not
trying to say "all women who wish to have children should have them earlier
in life rather than later" but I am pointing out that, at least in my
country, women are being encouraged to delay marriage and children until
they are older and more at risk (and so are the children). Why is this so?
Perhaps it is another example of women being pressured into denying their
very womanhood and being asked to follow the pseudo male path. In my view,
there should be much more flexibility and acceptibility for a wide range of
options with regards to women's development, education and choices.
Kind regards,
Marguerite
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