Do you think this is true of women who say "I'm not a feminist, but"? Why or Why not?

Question

"I'm not a feminist, but...
I appreciate the right to help choose my government representatives. I enjoy the option of wearing pants or shorts if I want. I'm pleased that I was allowed to learn to read and write. It can be very convenient to control how many babies I want to have. It's awfully useful to be able to open a bank account and own property in my name. I like knowing that my husband or boyfriend cannot legally beat me. It's really swell to keep the money that I earn." -poster from One Angry Girl-

Do you think this is how women who say "I'm not a feminist, but" think? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Is a man who believes that women should have every one of the rights you listed a feminist? I don't know. I would consider anyone who didn't support women having all of the rights you named to be backward and bigoted, but I don't know if supporting them makes one feminist. The term is used with great elasticity both by those who condemn it and those who champion it.

But to answer your question: yes, I think that many women who disclaim the label of "feminist" do support and appreciate all of those rights.

EDIT

If someone calls me a feminist as an insult, I'll happily accept the label.

But if someone calls me a feminist as a compliment, I'll hesitate, because I think there's something a bit smug and self-righteous about men announcing how sensitive they are because they care about women's issues. Plus, I want to reserve the right to disagree with a feminist and not be accused of having been a phony when I'd said I was feminist.

I do support all the rights you mentioned, as I said.

maybe women who reject the label have similar reservations?

Answer 2

What they mean is "I am a classical feminist, not a modern feminist." This translates into "I value equal rights, but I think men and women are different or that it's perfectly OK to dream about becoming a housewife, etc."

Promoting women's rights will always be seen as a positve thing by women in general. However, is dissing housewives, "promoting women's rights"? Is seeing all men as potential rapists "promoting women's rights"? Is arguing that marriage is inherently anti-woman and should be abolished "promoting women's rights"? is arguing that women shouldn't be allowed to stay home with their children (a la Simone De Beauvoir) "promoting women's rights"?

I think you see what I'm trying to say. Feminism is, and has been, a powerful force in history. However, if the majority of women desire one thing, and (current) feminist policy promotes the other thing as more desirable or more "advanced", there is going to be resentment amoung the majority of women. That's this housewife's opinion, anyhow.

My Mom has wondered the same thing. But, like I told her, you can be grateful for the battles that have been fought on your behalf, feel that there are a few battles left to fight, and still have a problem with the current movement's ideology. But ideologies change with time, while human rights are always in fashion. :-)

Answer 3

The views you just stated are feminist views...and a woman who says these things and then says she's "not a feminist" obviously doesn't really understand what the term means, OR, she does understand, but is afraid to publicly identify herself as being one, because she fears a perceived negative stigma from having such a label. She's a feminist that either "doesn't know it", doesn't understand it, or is afraid to be known as one. You don't have to be a political activist to be a feminist. It's an ideology...an ideology behind a social movement. There are those who are politically active, and there are feminists who are not, but all feminists share the simple idea that women should have the same liberties, rights, social status, and opportunities as men.

Answer 4

That is how I thought until very recently.

I thought of feminists as women who were active in politics or wrote books or ran Women's Centres or protested in the streets and all that. I believed that women should have equal rights and be free to live our lives as we want to but I didn't think I was a feminist.

I also had a bad image of feminists but I started seeing through that and that it was so bogus that it was ridiculous. You know the crazy woman or man hating dike image.

I'm still not sure if I call myself a feminist really but if someone called me a feminist I would not mind at all. If they said it as an insult I would smile and give them the finger or say too bad your mother isn't. If they said it positive I think I would be very happy with it.

Answer 5

Women who want equal rights as men are feminists, if not by label, then by ideology. It is a shame that the term “feminist” offends some people, because feminism’s intention is to support the right of every woman to achieve anything she has the desire and capability to do.

For those who say, “Oh, I want to make equal pay, but I still want men to open doors for me,” I tell them that feminism is not about being treated like a man, it is about being treated like an equal.

Answer 6

It just goes to show that people no longer view feminists as feel they deserve said rights and to be equal but as evil horrible women bent upon the destruction of society or the cause of all of societies woes.

People who say this are in fact feminists, they just don't want to be associated with a word that is thought of as negative.

Answer 7

I agree with you. The word "but" negates all said before it, e.g., "I knew the gun was loaded but I didn't think it'd shoot." Some people don't seem to be able to claim their own identities. These "not fems" enjoy the benefits fought for by women who were not afraid to endured prison, hunger strikes, and social stigmatization. And have the gall to say "I'm not a feminist." They should be ashamed.

Answer 8

Feminist as a term is now useless.

Answer 9

Ashley is right. But a little bit hypocritical when she says about her controlling babies....

How valid are your questions?!

Answer 10

I don't see anything wrong with them being able to state that they are proud to have their rights. That doesn't make them activist or anything. Just American. ;)