July 10, 2010
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Feminism and a Generation Gap
Recently in the US a lady named Sarah Palin called herself a feminist (she was candidate for vice president of the US). This made other ladies upset, and caused a huge debate, because they said she couldn’t be a feminist. It is impossible to be a Republican and a feminist!
I’m not going to enter that debate, but I thought it was funny, so I mentioned it to my mom, but I realized there is a generational gap between her idea of feminism and my idea of feminism. For me, ‘feminism’ basically means equality and freedom for women. Who doesn’t favor that? In my generation, pretty much everyone is a feminist: no one wants to oppress women, at least, no one who isn’t crazy.
In my mom’s generation, feminist meant a woman had to have a career. Go out in the world, accomplish something, wear a blue power suit, be equal to men. This was actually a huge problem for my mom, because she wanted to support women’s rights, freedom and equality, but on the other hand she wanted to raise a family and take care of her kids. That was her choice. But still, it seems part of her felt she was betraying her gender. I think there were even people who told her that she was betraying her gender.
In my generation, feminism is more about choice. If she wants a career, or a family, or embrace her sexy feminine side, or act like a tom-boy, it is up to her. Being sexy or taking care of kids doesn’t mean she is betraying the feminist cause, because it is her choice.
Choice, freedom, and responsibility.
Comments (2)
I like our generation’s view better, since it’s more encompassing; it also feels less militant since earlier women have established more rights/broken down barriers for us already. But I guess their way was necessary to get to ours.
Sarah Palin though…-sigh- :
@phosphor_stars -
lol so I take it you think Sarah Palin is not a feminist?