can you be a feminist and want to be a housewife?

Answer 1

of course...being a feminist means any woman should have the right to go into any field they want and have equal rights as men in the process

Answer 2

If feminism is defined as the belief that women and men are equal and should have equal opportunity to do what they want, then yes. Just because you want to follow the traditional gender roles doesn't mean you want every other woman to do the same thing, and if you want other women to be able to choose their own path, I think that would make you a feminist in the traditional sense.

Feminism, however, is often taken to the extreme, far beyond equality-- the so-called Femi-Nazis who don't want equal rights, they want better rights. It's probably not possible to want to be a housewife if you follow the extreme brand of feminism, since then you would be something of a traitor to the cause. Even if you want to stay at home, they would look at it as serving a man when the man should be serving you. I don't think that's true feminism though.

Answer 3

Of course! The only thing you can't do if you're a feminist is believe that "a woman's place is in the home," as such a philisophy goes against the concept of feminism. A feminist is anyone, male or female, who believes that women should have the same rights that men do.

However, some have misinterpreted the feminist philosophy; they believe that it means that women should strive to act in accordance with the male gender role. That is just as sexist as the belief that all women should be housewives; the only difference is that it focuses on culture (i.e. male culture vs. female culture) as instead of whether a person is born male or female. For example, under this philosophy that disguises itself as feminism, a woman who becomes CEO of a company is applauded just as a man would be, but a woman who stays at home with children is looked down upon, just as a man would be. Strictly speaking, that might not be sexist; however, it favors the traditionally masculine role, and is thus a new kind of sexism.

An analogy that comes to mind is the Americanization of the planet. People can say, "It's not a racist philosophy, because it believes that all the world's people are capable of civilization." Maybe it's not racist, but it's still the conquistador mentality in new clothes; it implies that "American culture" and "civilization" are the same thing, and it justifies destroying other cultures and remaking them in America's image.

So, stand up for feminism. If you want to stay at home with your children, do that. If you want to become president of the United States, do that. Feminism is about freedom, not about conformity.

Answer 4

Yes, a woman can be a feminist and want to be a housewife.
I, personally, would not wish to be a housewife. Many would say that I'm downplaying those women's choices. But they don't understand how it downplays mine.
I was raised with the belief that a woman's role is in the home. That it was my responsibility as a girl to learn to cook, clean, do laundry, wash the dishes, clear and set the table so that way, I could do it for my husband when I got married. It was quite literally shoved down my throat.
Like I said before, one can be a feminist and want to be a housewife. I have never downplayed that. I know how much work goes into it cause I've done it. I know women who enjoy doing it not only for themselves but for their partners/families as well.

I don't enjoy doing it. I "choose" to do work outside the home. I, personally, would not be a housewife unless you paid me. Because for me, it was ingrained in my head that it was my role as a woman to learn my duties around the home while the men in my family did nothing around the home. We'd be working inside the home and they'd come home from working outside the home and we'd still be working. We didn't have a punchclock. I put my foot down and said, "No, I won't do it," and was met with alot of opposition.
It was and still is very hard to get out of that way of thinking:
that a woman's role is inside the home because that is what I was taught. It was my "duty" as a nurturer.
I've gone though a different experience with what it means to be a housewife and I'm going to question it. I have to follow my own truth and where it takes me.

Answer 5

My interpretation of a feminist who wants equal rights for a female as is available to a male (irrespective of all factors). This in no way prevents a feminist to marry and in addition be a housewife.

She agrees to the division of labour vis-a-vis her husband as far as being a housewife. Remember, the important point is that she has the choice to be or not to be a housewife.

It is possible to have a wonderful and understanding husband. In addition, being a housewife does not preclude her from being active in many fields including politics.

Answer 6

I think men and women will never be equal to each other, their are too many things that separate us. I would rather be a house wife then a feminist because i hate feminists with a passion. However, I also want to have a really good job because it's not fair for the man to make all the money and i just sit their spending it away.

Answer 7

A true feminist must support women (and certainly could be such a woman) who choose to be housewives. How can someone be a feminist while downplaying what nearly half of all women choose to do at some point in their lives? Frankly, the term "feminist" irritates me because many of the most outspoken "feminists" seem to tell women what to do... namely to be just like them. It's one thing to have an opinion, but it's another thing to shove that opinion down other women's throats in the name of feminism. A real feminist has an opinion as a woman but recognizes and respects the validity of different opinions from other women... and men too!

Answer 8

I think so, but many feminists don't. There are many so-called feminists who believe that women can be anything they want to be except be a housewife. They tend to look down their noses at women who make that particular choice. It's ironic but true.

Answer 9

I dont see why not. The feminist movement was all about increasing opportunities for women, and to empower them to make their own decisions.

If a woman looks at these options and decides that she wants to be a traditional housewife, then more power to her.

Answer 10

That depends on what kind of feminist you are. If a woman "only" demands to be treated with respect and not as less worth than a man, then yes. But like someone said earlier, "feminazis" sure wouldn't be housewives, because that would make them traitors to the cause.

Answer 11

yes. One of the points of feminism was to give women options. If you want to be a housewife and can then great for you. But you aren't forced to stay home, you aren't forbidden to go out and get a job.