Do you consider yourself a feminist?

[wicket]

Poll question: Do you consider yourself a feminist?

Do you consider yourself a feminist? If no, why not?

[Missy M]

1. My vote is yes....

always have been and always will be.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. Absolutely

There is no good reason for any gap between the genders.

[seabeyond]

3. always felt myself equal to man, regardless of what religion and/or man

said. father talking about the lawyer woman on fox and said she use to be a feminist but she doesnt sound so much now. (he wanted me to watch her in a clinton interview). i told father, i am a feminist. he gasps for breath, lol lol. the right and some males have made it into a dirty word, like they have liberal

[JohnnyLib2]

4. honorary, maybe?

Mrs. JohnnyLib says I've come a long, long way.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. Why I am a feminist

My mother was divorced in 1957. My father never paid child support. My mother could not get credit cards, and had to pay off a loan my father defaulted on, even though she didn't know about it and hadn't signed onto it. My mother went back to work, earning less money than a man for the same work (she was told "Women don't have to support their families-they just use the money to buy hats."). She had some difficulty getting store credit cards and getting her banking business straight. I think the only reason she was finally able to buy a house was that she was a teacher with a steady job, but I recall it was touch and go whether she'd get the loan.

I don't know how many times she was talked down to by salesmen, but I can assure you that no stranger ever calls me "honey", nor tells me that "bring in your husband, he'll understand this better than you." That happened to me exactly once--a banker made that mistake when I was trying to open up a CD and wanted to know my options. I withdrew all my money from that bank.

[wicket]

7. Are we cousins?

Your dad sounds just like my uncle, unfortunately. I'm sorry for all of the crap your mother had to put up with all those years :hug:

[Missy M]

14. As a member of NOW in the early days of the movement....

we fought against exactly what happened to your mother. Our local chapter was approached by a group of women who worked for a large corporation, on the assembly line, and they were paid a lot less than the men for the same job. They asked NOW to start a suit for them against the company. We did all the leg and paper work and also did the picketing against the company. When it was time to present everything to the EEOC the women who worked for the company would not go through with it because they were afraid of losing their jobs. It was very disappointing. We also did a campaign to the banks to enable women to get their own credit without a husbands or fathers signature. When I hear other women say they are not feminists, and downgrade feminists, I get angry because these same women now have the advantages that the movement brought about and sure enjoy them.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

17. Thank you for your hard work

I appreciate what NOW did because I know what it was like for women before.

[wicket]

33. Amen to that

:thumbsup:

[Mizmoon]

34. The truth about feminism is hidden

Women today generally have no idea of the struggle for female equality. They take it all for granted. While it's sad in the small picture, the big picture shows that our rights are so ingrained that they can be taked for granted. Very nice.

[lesab]

Absolutely

I am a stay at home Mom with a graduate degree in Theatre and Drama. I will join the work force soon after being home for 11 years with my kids. The world is my playground. I love being able to do whatever I want ....whenever I want.

[katsy]

6. Yeah... and I bred another feminist!

At 5 years old, my daughter is a feminist on steroids. Her brother tried to hug her the other day and she knocked him over and stated "it's MY body, not yours".

Need to get her into a karate class to focus some of that energy though.

[Sweet Freedom]

11. Me too!

At five, my daughter asked her kindergarten teacher to explain why there hadn't been any female presidents. When the teacher said that she couldn't explain it, my daughter said that was fine; when she grew up, she's get elected to make sure that no other little girl would have to ask the question ever again.

[katsy]

12. Whooo Hoooo!

Kudos to your daughter! Brava!

To their long, successful, healthy and happy lives, dist22.

:toast:

[Sweet Freedom]

20. To yours as well /nt

[wicket]

15. Sounds like she's going to be one kick ass girl!

Literally :D

[katsy]

22. Credit goes to her one hell of a dad.

He has always been very respectful and a good role model.

He taught them (twins) to read,,, I taught them, um, ahhh, blackjack.

She's one empowered alpha female.

[nolabels]

49. I get a lot more accomplished when i get to work with a non-alpha

I would say that most alpha's are born alpha's also. Mostly i would say that the alpha characteristic is latent till the one endowed with it find that it's a to be tool they have. I would also say that it does take others let them carry on with it or sometimes even encourage it. I think i might of had even a chance to help mute it down with our daughter but thought it would be better if she learns how to use it for her independence. She has done well with that part but getting her to channel energy and acquire focus is proving not as easy but is still going okay.

Being an alpha is probably not all it's cracked up to be but helping those who have it learn boundaries is just as necessary. At one time i would get angry at our slightly older son but have since seen his brinkmanship with her physical and mental challenging is and was necessary. I was once able to play referee between them but they are now teenagers and are both bigger than my wife or me. Thank goodness for help of vanity, peer pressure and them seeing confrontation is more often than not just a waste of time.

[katsy]

23. dupe.

[lukasahero]

8. Absolutely. eom

[porphyrian]

9. Yes, women are people, too, and they deserve equal rights.

I also acknowledge that men and women are different, and that we must all acknowledge and understand those differences in order to be fair and equitable. Despite the conservative regression lately, I still have hope that we can achieve this in our lifetimes.

[VelmaD]

13. there is more variation among women...

and among men than there is difference between the "average" woman and "average" man on just about any scale/test/whatever you chose to look at. People are different.

[porphyrian]

19. I don't doubt that to be the case.

I'm just saying that we cannot ignore our differences, whatever they are, when determining what's fair for all.

[Annces]

10. Labels are too confining

I would say I am for person being able to become what they dream of becoming, men or women.

However if a woman actually says she is not a feminist, I would say she is probably playing the system, and just doesn't want to "come out" . Otherwise it is like saying, yes men are better, and women should serve them only.

[VelmaD]

16. absolutely

I'm a raging feminazi...Rush Limbaugh's worst fucking nightmare. :evilgrin:

[NoPasaran]

45. You only say that

Because Karl Rove brainwashed your sweet little head!

:hide:

Just kidding!:hi:

[alcibiades_mystery]

18. Hell yes

I'm a feminist.

[Binka]

51. Of Course You Are AM You Understand How It Benefits Everyone

You get better sex, better conversation, more trust and intimacy, and lots of mutual respect. Plus your daughter will kick your ass one day if you weren't.:evilgrin: How is baby BTW? Shoot me a picture when you get the chance!

[Luna_C_06]

21. Yes!

I've been a feminist since I was 12.

[wicket]

24. Excellent

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[wicket]

25. 3 no votes, but none courageous enough to state why?

:shrug:

[malaise]

26. My dad told me I could do anything I wanted in life

and my mother and both grandmothers had professions so I knew I could too.
I know I'm equal.

[wicket]

27. I know I'm equal too - that's why I'm a feminist

n/t

[malaise]

28. To each her own sister n/t

[wicket]

29. Absolutely

Thanks for responding :)

[CTyankee]

35. I was going to post the same thing! Those cowards!

That's typical.

But I am a bit depressed to think that ANY DUer would consider him/herself NOT a feminist! That is unthinkable!

Proud to say that entire family is feminist: husband, his son and daughter, my son and 2 daughters and their spouses, my 4 grandkids (well, 3 girls. The boy is 2 1/2, but don't worry, with his mom, my youngest daughter, he'll be a member of NOW before you know it!).

[wicket]

41. Your family sounds wonderful

Congrats to you all! :hi:

[CTyankee]

43. Thanks! They are terrific, if I do say so myself! n/t

[Binka]

53. Someone Down Thread Claims It Is Too Much Baggage

Samsonite? I don't get it but there you have it. :shrug:

[lukasahero]

54. Wonder if "liberal" comes with too much baggage too?

:shrug:

So sad to see women who will take all the benefits feminists before them fought for but think it's too much burden for them to carry.

[NorthernSpy]

63. you're allowed to address my remarks directly, you know...

It's okay if people don't agree with me.

[Adelante]

30. Since the 1960s

:toast:

[madmusic]

31. What do you mean by "feminist"?

If equality, sure, but http://www.pbs.org/thinktank/transcript132.html">Has Feminism Gone Too Far?

[lukasahero]

32. How about the definition provided in the dictionary

fem·i·nist
n. A person whose beliefs and behavior are based on feminism.

fem·i·nism
–noun 1. the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.

Not sure what's so frightening about that.

[madmusic]

37. It's not "frightening" at all.

Why would it be?

[aikoaiko]

36. Of course, I'm for equal rights and opportunities. nt.

[NorthernSpy]

38. no

Too much baggage.

Besides, plain ole social egalitarianism serves just as well.

[Nikia]

39. Of course

I want to be considered equal to a man and want all other women to be also. For some reason, some people seem to have a problem with that.

[wicket]

40. kick

:kick:

[BoneDaddy]

42. Yep

[Anarcho-Socialist]

44. Absolutely

[wicket]

46. Excellent

Love the sig by the way :D

[Anarcho-Socialist]

52. Thanks!

:hi:

[Orsino]

47. Yeah. n/t

[cedahlia]

48. Absolutely, I am!

:hi:

[treestar]

50. Yes, I've always been sensitive to men trying to boss me around

in the workplace, too, where they had no job-related right to do so, and the women who try to imitate them.

People will do all kinds of things to try to prove they are superior to you in any context, it sometimes seems. We have this national insecurity that says I'm no one if I'm not better than somebody somewhere, which for me explains most racism and sexism. If that's all they have, they'll use it.

[mongo]

55. Yes I do

despite the fact that I am always in debate with the anti-sexual expression faction of feminists.

[lukasahero]

56. Believe it or not, mongo,

I consider you one, too.

That statement probably just cost me a year's worth of "feminist cred" but disagreeing on one aspect of pop culture doesn't mean everything else gets thrown out the window.

[mongo]

57. Thanks.

That means a lot to me actually.

And I have no quarrels or grudges against any of my DU colleges, who I agree with 90% of the time even if I'm not as likely to say so.

Peace!

[Madspirit]

59. Yes I do

Lesbian, feminist...went to the very first NOW convention in Houston...ergo...also old...<g>

...and I am not sure what you mean by "anti-sexual expression" feminists Mongo but I think I know what you mean and I agree. Are you talking about the ones who equate sexuality with sexism? ...because they drive me up a wall too. Sexual attraction, sex, etc....is not sexist. It's some of the Joy of Life. I have feminist friends who will get infuriated if they see a guy looking at a woman. I point out that I too was looking...<g> Then they get flustered.
Madspirit

[mongo]

60. Yeah.

Check out the sub-thread here in what is otherwise a very good OP http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=229x5622

I'm pretty lucky in that my wife and I will check out other women at the same time :)

[Madspirit]

65. I agree

I agree with you over on that thread too. I have had many friends who were hookers...BY CHOICE and not because of some damaged past. I have a friend who worked her way through grad. school in psychology...by being a hooker. I see nothing perverted about prostitution. I support it's legalization. I see nothing perverted about pole dancing either. This is assuming everyone is an adult and the activity is consensual. I don't even understand people who call prostitution a perversion. It really has been around since the beginning of time.

What did surprise me when I had a bunch of hooker friends was that I even gained a respect for Johns or should I say I lost my disrespect for them. Most of them actually fall into three categories:
a.) lonely, single and too shy to do the bar thing.
b.) in long-dead marriages and lonely.
c.) young virgin guys who's friends bought them a gift certificate....<g>

...and when prostitution is legal, it can be regulated, making sure no one is there by force and making sure they stay healthy. As an aside, outside of Las Vegas, where prostitution is legal and regulated...there has not been...(and this stat is a couple of years old)...a single case of AIDS passed to or from the women.

People like to call things that make them embarrassed or feel squicky inside, "sickness" or a "product of oppression" or "sexist"... In truth, it just embarrasses them.

I used to work at Glastron boats putting fiberglass on pleasure boats for the rich. This was about the same time I had a lot of hooker friends. I would come home at night, spit blood and remove bits of my skin and I was making minimum wage. THAT is harmful prostitution. THAT is slavery. THAT is not healthy.

People sell themselves every day. I understand prostitution a lot more than I understand picking cotton for the man, while making pittance and suffering from mal-nourishment and exhaustion.

In other words...I agree with you. I am in a long-winded mood. Sorry.
Madspirit

[nam78_two]

58. Hell yeah!

:)

[devilgrrl]

61. In that I'm going to do my own thing - Yes.

:shrug:

[Kerrytravelers]

62. Absolutely... and married to one as well.

Men of quality support women's equality!

[Dastard Stepchild]

64. Yup. eom.