Ladies and gentlemen, would you mind taking a look at these interesting quotes from feminists?

Question

"Feminism, Socialism, and Communism are one in the same, and Socialist/Communist government is the goal of feminism." - Catharine A. MacKinnon, Toward a Feminist Theory of the State (First Harvard University Press, 1989), p.10

"The institution of sexual intercourse is anti-feminist" -- Ti-Grace Atkinson "Amazon Odyssey" (p. 86)

This is the most surprising quote:
"No woman should be authorized to stay at home and raise her children. Society should be totally different. Women should not have that choice, precisely because if there is such a choice, too many women will make that one." -- Interview with Simone de Beauvoir, "Sex, Society, and the Female Dilemma," Saturday Review, June 14, 1975, p.18

I thoght feminism was about choice!!

Check more on this site:
http://no-maam.blogspot.com/2007/03/in-their-own-words.html

Please, no offensive comments.
Thanks.

@ Aken:
Don't misunderstand me. I don't care whether women work or not. Let them do as they like. Read the website and you will see more.

The third quote is really serious. It's pain in the neck.

@ Doctor Watson:
I'm very sorry; your conclusions are very vague. You don't even know what you are talking about. Which agenda do you think I'm promoting? I'm just making people to be aware of the dark side.
And by the way, I'm a collegiate.

Answer 1

Quotes from three women from 1975 and 1989, yep that must represent all feminist thought and all feminist's views-whew, you are such a thorough researcher. I see those quotes nearly every week in Women's studies. If you must trot out first-wave feminist stuff, can't you at least come up with some new material? Or quote second wave or third wave feminists, something, anything, contemporary?

Since another poster posted positive and varied quotes by women, I'll ask about quotes by men. Do you consider the quotes below from these men as representative of all male thought and all male theories about gender in the US, as you expect us to think of the quotes you presented?

Men's Right's Perspectives from: "Contemporary Perspectives on Masculinity: Men, Women, and Politics in Modern Society" By Kenneth C. Clatterbaugh

Men's Right's Advocate Fred Hayward: " I can identify better with males of other species than with American women" and
"Feminism is sexist itself. It is they who are the sexist pigs". Quoted by Robert Bannon in "Brother"

Robert Doyle, another Men's Right's Advocate: Quoted Noel Coward's remark "women should be beaten regularly, like gongs" and added that "perhaps some should, but who would want them?"

Doyle also refers to feminists as "shrews aspiring to invade male sanctuaries." Doyle further notes that "if, some masochistic man, a man wants to keep a divorce-bound wife, the best method again is to attack strongly in court; to prove up a case that will take the house and kids away from her. Then he may hire her back as a housekeeper."

A woman can take care of the family. It takes a man to provide structure. To provide stability. Not that a woman can't provide stability, I'm not saying that... It does take a father, though." -Tom DeLay, in a radio interview, Feb. 10, 2004

"I can look at a chick who's a little out of shape and if she turns me on, I won't hesitate to date her. If she's a good f**k she can weigh 150 pounds, I don't care." -Arnold Schwarzenegger in an interview with Oui

"Having chicks around is the kind of thing that breaks up the intense training. It gives you relief, and then afterward you go back to the serious stuff." Arnold Schwarzenegger

“Women were doing quite well in this country before feminism came along” Rush Limbaugh

"The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way -- all of them who have tried to secularize America -- I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen.'" --Jerry Falwell on the 9/11 attacks

"(T)he feminist agenda is not about equal rights for women. It is about a socialist, anti-family political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians." –Pat Robertson

Answer 2

Ah, yes, the Simone De Beauvoir quote. Now can we *finally* all agree that SOME feminists feel the need to trash my choice to be a stay-at-home mother? That SOME of them are just as closed minded and anti-choices as the misogynists of days past?


LOL - and thank you, Happy Bullet. I've been saying that for years. They are already transferring tax money from working-class traditional households to middle class dual-income ones, to supplement daycare, which is insane.

EDIT: Cheers to Dierdre for the fantastic quotes.

Answer 3

I think it is possible to find rabid political diatribes in pretty much any philosophy or school of thought. Just curious, how did you come about those quotes? Googling, or did someone hand them to you?

Not sure myself, but my own sense is that there is the political feminism you describe above, and there is a more moderate form that is mostly about asserting the strength, wisdom, and instrinsic potential of every woman to become what she wants to. I think that's what most women with an interest in feminism would subscribe to.

I think the logical fallacy here is that of a straw (wo)man, arging that something is undesirable by drawing out its worst attributes or examples.

Good luck in your research.

Answer 4

I thought feminism was about the strengthes and qualities woman have to offer society being recognized as such, not because we are "woman" but as unique individuals that have our own special qualities that should be recognized and valued.
As women we are able to do things men cannot, and vice versa.
The 3rd quote you posted hits me in the gut! I think that parents TOGETHER should decide if one of them should stay home and "raise the children". Nature has provided us with the hormonal and possibly genetic action of "raising the young" but that is shifting to a more mutual ability and priority as the generations unfold.

Answer 5

I've taken the time to study many of your answers to other questions and the links you've posted yourself in the 'questions' you've asked.

So here is my opinion:

You seem very well adept at 'framing' your so-called questions and responses. Have you been taking lessons from the Karl Rove School? Your links all seem to be specifically one-sided, with a specific agenda in mind, and you don't really seem to care to explore other views, no matter what the source or how educated or articulate the reply.

You 'award' your best answer to anyone who seems to mirror your specific agenda.

Under these circumstances providing you with counter examples will have no real influence on your pre-made up mind. So what I'm about to say is for everyone else here who may read this:

Yes, there are, and have been, feminist extremist. Just like there are, and have been, extremist Christians and people from just about all walks of life. But these few hand-picked quotes of your choosing hardly tell the true picture, nor do they reflect the general views of most people who believe in equality for women.

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Gloria Steinem:

"I have met brave women who are exploring the outer edge of human possibility, with no history to guide them, and with a courage to make themselves vulnerable that I find moving beyond words."

"A pedestal is as much a prison as any small, confined space."

"For women... bras, panties, bathing suits, and other stereotypical gear are visual reminders of a commercial, idealized feminine image that our real and diverse female bodies can't possibly fit. Without these visual references, each individual woman's body demands to be accepted on its own terms. We stop being comparatives. We begin to be unique."

"Most American children suffer too much mother and too little father."

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Doesn't sound so commie or socialist, does it? And yet Ms. Steinem was, and still is, a major voice for women's equality. The point is, for every negative quote you can list to push your specific agenda a dozen positive quotes can be found to counteract your 'slanted' questions.

You're not interested in unbiased answers. You're interested in pushing a specific agenda.

Answer 6

wow. Those are quite horrible. I was interested in femenism but at the same time, I know that's not what femenist are all about either. It sounds kind of propagandaish, because there are no positive sounding quotes. I'm kind of interested in what you are trying to prove, as well. That femenist in bad? that it's tolitarianistic? and it's silly? Just curious.

Answer 7

You know what? It's obvious that some of these women just need a good seeing to. I have to say that some of these bra-burning hairy lesbians really get on my nerves. I bet these women go home at night and complain to their friends about how they're single and can't seem to get a boyfriend. As a woman I can say that I am not ashamed to say that I enjoy sex with men (my husband!) and I absolutely do not find it a derogatory act whatsoever. When my husband and I make love we share a part of ourselves with each other that reaches deep inside the other person. We are a partnership and an equal one at that. When you're intimate with a man I believe that you both give yourself wholeheartedly to the other person and there is no shame in that. Sex with the man you love is the most precious experience you can have. Also, with regards to the last quote, I stay at home and take care of our daughter whilst my husband goes to work and earns the money. I can honestly say that being a full-time mother is the most rewarding job I have ever had. I don't feel repressed, I just feel frustrated that some women chastise other women for wanting to be a good mother and wife. It doesn't mean you're any less of a person because of your choice. My husband would be more than happy to stay at home and be a stay-at-home dad whilst I went out to work if the circumstances dictated for that to be the case. The fact is, I have a choice as a woman and I choose to be a good and loving wife and mother. So feminists - do yourselves a favour and experience a loving relationship with a man and your children and then come back to me and we'll have a little chat.

Answer 8

Let's take a critical look at your "question".

After pasting several comments by extreme people, you proceed to say, "I thought feminism was about choice!!"

Did you? What led you to think that feminism was about choice? Was it something you'd read or heard about feminism? If you were really convinced that it was about choice, then why would a few (specifically and biasedly chosen) quotes make you think differently?

For example, let's say you thought racism wasn't good. Ok, now let's say you visited the KKK's site and found several quotes in favor of racism. Would this change your mind? No.

Speaking first as a person, and then as a woman, I don't respect your agenda.

Answer 9

The third quote surprises me. Women should have that choice, but they shouldn't be forced to make it by anyone.

The other two quotes are from extremists we don't listen to.

Answer 10

Yes it does seem rather over the top, but I believe women do deserve equal pay for equal work, equal opportunity to get ahead, and equal rights. I am a guy. Its just a matter of doing whats fair, whats right. But you did find a pretty extreme case. Congratulations.