Feminists: Is "equal" (as in "equal treatment") a misnomer?

Question

Some feminists have stated that they like being treated “like a woman” or a “lady.” Others have stated that they don’t EXPECT any special treatment, but do enjoy it.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AmnAfo.8l3L8ZhP2NIWDaPAjzKIX?qid=20070316171301AAgnlGd

I assume this means that they want to be treated somehow different than a man would/should be treated. At the same time, most feminists will say that men and women should receive “equal treatment.”

Explain how one can want “equal treatment” and at the same time like (not necessary expect) to be “treated like a woman” or “lady”, evidently differently than a man.

(Obviously, this does not mean just with "courtesy and respect", since all humans are deserving of that.)

Is “equal” a misnomer for what they want?

Or, are there exceptions to this desire for equal treatment?

If so, who gets to chose what those exceptions are?

bikerchickjill:

You must've gotten my question "confused" with another one. Note that I did not say ALL women, or even "many" women. I specifically asked about a subset of "feminists."

Note the expression "SOME feminists."

Texas Behaviorist:

Thanks for the history. Based on your response, it would be best to stop using the expression "equal" then.

Marianne M:

Thank you for your consistency and encouraging feminists to be consistent. Frankly, if all feminists were consistent in this and other areas, fewer people would have as many problems with them.

When you make exceptions to a rule like this, there is really no point in having it.

Answer 1

I would hope that all feminists prefer to be treated equally, not "like a lady", but you may be right in that some of them do want to be treated differently. The very definition of a feminist precludes being treated "like a lady" because it is inherently sexist. I know some men enjoy treating women "like ladies" and don't mean any harm, and some women enjoy being treated "like ladies", but it is nevertheless based on a view of women as inferior, less capable, weaker, etc. than men. If women are serious about being treated equally, we have to be willing to be treated equally in ALL respects - and none of this "lady" business.

Answer 2

Interesting question.

I think everyone, male or female, likes being treated nicely and with respect.

I think it's darned difficult if not impossible to treat any two people exactly the same way. Even if they are the same sex.

Some of the language in feminism comes from a time many of you may not remember. When I was a child women didn't do certain jobs. Female attourneys and doctors were rare. Female TV news anchors did not exist. I remember how weird it was when women started appearing as anchors- even though I was glad. It was just so very new and unfamiliar. Women could be teachers, nurses or secretaries or they could work in retail.

In those days if a woman worked in a "man's" job, she got maybe 50 to 60% of the pay he got. I worked as a draftsperson (actually I was called a draftsman) and I earned $8 an hour. That was a decent salary for a young woman then, for sure. But my male colleagues made $15 an hour. This was common. Female attourneys were paid less than men. Female doctors were paid less than men.

Women coudln't even own personal property in Texas until the late 1960s!

Now that the differences are not as big the terms have stuck, and if you dind't live through that time it probably sounds like an exaggeration. Trust me- it was a very real battle that had to be fought very hard.

Equal probably isn't possible. But it is very important to be aware of making the playing field as level as possible.

Answer 3

Okay, kid - feminists don't possess a collective mind. We disagree. It isn't a lack of solidarity among feminists that causes 'some people' to have problems with feminism, it's sexism on the part of 'some people' ... And anyways, 'equal treatment' is a misnomer for some feminists ... but not for others. I'm a gender abolitionist, and I despise differential treatment ...

Answer 4

when I say I want to be treated equal, what I'm saying is to receive the same pay as a man doing the same job, or have the same opportunity to advance in my career.

I still wanted to be treated like a lady if I'm acting like one, but equal to me means the same opportunities should be available to everyone .

I feel I'm just as capable as anyone , and I would appreciate the same things made available to me

Answer 5

Feminists demand to be treated equally at work, but after hours, they want to be treated like ladies.

ha hahah aha ha ha ha ha ha .... Its called "feminist logic".

Answer 6

I appreciate your confusion. I think it will go away when you realize that not all women (or men) are completely alike in their preferences.

In other words, there is no one way to treat all women.

Answer 7

If you really think about it, there is usually SOME sort of imbalance in any relationship (personal, business, etc;)