I have read for months in here (Gender and Women's Studies), wrong ideas about feminism. I have been scratching my head so many times that I will become bald (lol).
I am reading now a FANTASTIC book: "Backlash" by Susanne Faludi, suddenly, everything I have been reading in this Yahoo category against feminism makes perfect sense.
So, this is a small introduction to many more answers inspired by this book (lol)
How much do you feel the media has influenced people to have a wrong and negative idea about feminism and feminists?
2007-12-20 09:30:52 · 15 answers · asked by Flyinghorse 6 in Social Science ➔ Gender Studies
I meant "many more questions"...be patient, I just came back from a looooong trip (lol)
2007-12-20 09:39:50 · update #1
The media has done this in a deliberate, sustained way for many years.
Classic Orwellian propaganda.
Take the word feminism, associate it with as many negative stereotypes as possible. From the idea that feminists must hate men, or be lesbians, or unattractive - to issues around work, welfare and childcare. The list is very long.
The whole purpose is to divide the movement and scapegoat it. Cause women not to identify as feminists because of the bad press. Turn the focus of the movement into self definition and away from activism.
It is exactly the same set of techniques which were used to scapegoat dissidents in the McCarthy era by branding them as Communists. And we all know where those techniques originated from to begin with.
The backlash is not against feminism for the most part. Those involved in the backlash often have no idea what feminism is beyond a set of stereotypes created to turn feminism into a scapegoat.
The motivations of the media are insidious. Create division between the genders and poor people will blame each other for their comparative poverty, instead of identifying the source of the poverty.
Division and resentment are easy to control. When the source of our unrest becomes our families, our partners and our loved ones the elites sleep more sweetly at night because our energies are turned upon one another instead of social change.
This is the agenda. Targeting feminism just forms one part of that agenda.
In my opinion.
2007-12-20 10:40:59 · answer #1 · answered by Twilight 6 · 3⤊ 11⤋
True feminism is about choice. Period. The ideals of feminism that have permeated throughout society today were not part of the origins of the feminist movement.
I don't consider myself a 'feminist' because of that. I consider myself equal to my husband, and free to make choices that affect me directly. If I choose to be a stay at home mom, then I will do so. There are many feminists that would look down on me because I don't want to work outside the home, but be here for my children. I say pooh on them. Again, it is about choice.
As for the media, it tends to spin whatever will bring controversy and ratings. Our North American media is not as unbiased as we are often led to believe.
2007-12-20 17:54:44 · answer #2 · answered by Shayna 5 · 6⤊ 2⤋
I think it's entirely possible...anyone who doubts that the media can be a source of mis-information is someone who is practicing a bit of self-deception. However, there are many who do understand that the things they hear may be one-sided...many are critical thinkers, but not enough of us, I suppose. The book you're reading sounds interesting- but I caution you: books are also a form of media.
2007-12-20 19:38:44 · answer #3 · answered by It's Ms. Fusion if you're Nasty! 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Whatever you do, do not go away thinking that the posters at Y/A represent society, b/c they dont'. They seem to have a bunch of regulars, feminists, and then a majority of anti-feminists who hang out & give ppl a hard time.
I have volunteered with a lot of feminist groups and I've worked in health & human rights - among professional ppl, many admire at least the theories and ideals of feminism if not the feminists.
Certainly, though, there's been a backlash. I've dealt with ppl who have a negative stereotype of feminists. You know what I ask them, what did you think of the chauvinists of the 70s? I'm in my early 40s, so I remember them. Funny how ppl can remember angry feminists (how many movements have happy ppl? ) and NOT the chauvinists.
There has also been backlash against civil rights, being PC, muslims (after 9/11) and china. -- so we are not alone!
most of the backlash is from defensive men (and women) who cannot cope with ideals such as independence in womnen, equality, questioning gender roles, etc.
I consider myself extremely lucky to have consistently met women in my life who have been bright and independent - feminists. As for the old 'power grab' - fortunatly I haven't met any interested in power over ideals. And as far as the MRAs, many have labeled them 'angy white men' whether fairly or not they have often been dismissed. I personally have not seen a good enough argument from them, so to date, i also dismiss them.
i gotta read 'backlash', i havent yet.
2007-12-20 19:59:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 6⤋
Most commonly, in my experiences, the media has bent over backwards to pretend feminism is a good thing.
I recall a talk show (Friday Night Live, I think) and the one show had a group of feminsist & some MRA's (this is going back to the late 80s or early 90s).
The women were saying "We need more rights, we need more power"
The men were saying "It's swung too far already, men need some help as well yanno"
Obviously, it was more detailed than the above.
Anyway, come the end of the show, the presenter closed off by saying something alike
"Feminists: working for women's rights...."
He worded what their definition was... no one elses. He didn't even mention the MRA's in closing - they apparently weren't part of the show.
So with that as one single example, I'd say the media has done a lot to promote feminism while ignoring men's issues entirely.
2007-12-20 18:20:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 8⤋
Just so you know, it's Susan, not Susanne.
Anyone who wants to understand how the media portrays feminism should use Backlash as a guide, as well as her latest book, The Terror Dream.
2007-12-20 22:19:15 · answer #6 · answered by Rio Madeira 7 · 5⤊ 5⤋
The media? Feminist, Susan Faludi included, have done well enough to give people a wrong and negative idea about feminism.
2007-12-20 20:24:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 7⤋
Unless there is a singular perception by all members of 'the media', or at least those in control of it, 'the media' as a whole can't construct any cohesive view point about anything. And since many if not most are always declaring 'the media' to be liberal, it would be hard to claim 'the media' as a liberal entity would construct negative information about what is essentially a liberal viewpoint.
Shingoshi Dao
2007-12-20 17:50:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 12⤊ 5⤋
Wow! I just realized I have not heard or read about feminism in real life, unless I specifically did a search for it. So I guess the answer would be that the spotlight is non-existent--neutral.
2007-12-20 19:51:22 · answer #9 · answered by Lioness 6 · 3⤊ 5⤋
I think I read that book back when it first came out, 1992. I guess I'll have to read it again.
2007-12-20 18:16:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋