Opinion
Some feminists go too far blaming men
Looking for a print version?
Simply use your browser’s ‘Print’ command and a printer-friendly document will be generated automatically.
Also by Julie Isen:
- Recall ends, but CRG continues fight (December 13, 2005)
- Cystic Fibrosis in need of cure (May 2, 2005)
- Russ Feingold in 2008? (September 1, 2005)
- Inequality looms over Wisconsin (September 16, 2005)
- Waging war on women's health (September 20, 2005)
Sharing tools:
E-mail this article:
Dictionary.com defines feminism as the “belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.” At the inception of the women’s revolution, the purpose was to allow women the opportunity to be strong and independent. It was to empower women to be able to choose their own future and paths in life, whether that be a career, family, both or something else altogether. It was not to blame and insult men in order to get back at them for years of oppression.
If this were 1969, I would rush at the chance to be a part of that kind of revolution. But it’s 2005, and feminism has recently changed for the worse. Not only is the revolution turning into a dirty fight aiming to blame and not reform, but the choice women were fighting for has turned into the choice the feminist movement wants women to make. It should not be seen as shameful if a woman can and does choose to stay at home to give her children the best opportunities available to them.
Feminism is supposed to be the fight for equality, more specifically equal opportunity. It is not the immature squabbling of the “he-man womun haters” club and its female counterparts in the man-haters club from the Little Rascals that is going to revolutionize the world. It is the calm and mature discussions between men and women that are going to expedite change.
No, men and women are not yet completely equal. There are discrepancies in pay, unequal access to jobs and women who decide to have children are, in some instances, discriminated against in the workplace — just to name a few problems. And yes, working toward that goal is a noble and worthwhile activity. That said, a little integrity and fairness from the female side wouldn’t hurt.
The driving force behind a large portion of the current movement is no longer about gaining equality, but about attacking men and blaming them for all the problems society faces. As convenient as that may be, it is not the answer. The way to prove that women are as competent and intelligent as men is for women to actually be as competent and intelligent. It may take a little more time to reach the final goal of equal access, but there is more of a chance that victories will be made while staying amiable rather than belligerent.
Equality implies equal standards and not simply reversing prejudices. Men are not the sole source of all the problems women face in life. There are double standards and unfair accusations flying around this issue. When men act the same way toward women and treat them with such disrespect, feminists are up in arms, and rightfully so.
It’s time to stop playing the blame game and get serious about feminism as it was intended to be; the movement toward equal opportunity and choice for women.
Julie Isen (jbisen@wisc.edu) is a junior majoring in political science.
27 Comments | Leave a comment
Leave a comment
Herald Blogs
The Beat Goes On
Brother Ali makes an ‘Exclusive’ stop
Muckrakers
Report: Barrett to make decision by the end of the week
Extra Points
Top Classified Ads (view all)
HOUSES FOR Fall 2010. All houses are on W Dayton or N Bassett. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 bedrooms. All have parking. madisoncampusrentals.com
although i respect most women.. its the feminists who people love to just provoke... it's just so fun calling them bitches.. ;)
Jeebus christ. Thanks for proliferating so many fucking tired and pathetic stereotypes of anyone on any side of a discussion about feminism and gender roles. Fucking weak sauce and a half here.
Gee, how radical of you to be a woman and speak ill of feminism. How about an actual discussion about the systemic oppression perpetuated by binary gender roles, and not just this pop culture bullshit of angry feminists and offended men?
Sorry, Julie, but until women who have their shit together start speaking out against man-hating feminists too, men will continue to be insensitive to women's issues. Let us know that not all women want to see all men castrated and disemboweled. Then we'll consider supporting women's causes.
Here is what you article actually says:
I believe that feminism is dirty word because this is what the conservative-corporate media has told me to believe through passive advertising and programming, and I am not intellectually curious enough to actually go and look at what feminists and feminist theory says.
You also show your ignorance of what feminists actually think by saying that they blame everything on men. Only the stupid ones, like you, do that. Intellectual/academic feminists are not concerned with that kind of thing. Instead they are talking about structures of power and they do not "blame" men.
Don't believe her people.
-White male, not a feminist particularly, but disgusted with the level of ignorance on campus
A person should tread carefully when he finds that everyone, excluding himself, is ignorant.
Way to back up your argument with any sort of evidence. All feminism is not about blaming men, and it is demeaning to feminists for you to imply that all of them are the same. As the previous poster stated feminism also focuses on structural factors that contribute to continuing inequality. Is this what you consider to be "blaming men"?
The patriarchy is the systematic oppression of women.... not certain men... its systemic, not individualistic... therefore, check your facts. You are one prime example of how patriarchy divides and conquers...putting the oppressed against each others. This is how the backlash grows, and this is how the patriarchy thrives and continues on... thanks so much.
Are you trying to get baumgarnder to sleep with you or something?
Haha this article amuses me. Reminds me of this wonderful quotation
""Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians"
-Rev. Pat Robertson
"Gee, how radical of you to be a woman and speak ill of feminism. How about an actual discussion about the systemic oppression perpetuated by binary gender roles, and not just this pop culture bullshit of angry feminists and offended men?"
Get back in the kitchen and make me some pie.
...resorting to a cartoon... :sad:
you can't make statements like that without backing them up with evidence. how about three recent articles written by prominent feminists that engage in "male-bashing?" or hell, even a personal experience or something that at least SEEMS like evidence.
particularly since, at a university like this, a fairly significant portion of the student body actually understands what feminism is, is well-read on the subject, and will most certainly disagree, vehemently, with your claim that it's "man-hating."
"A person should tread carefully when he finds that everyone, excluding himself, is ignorant."
I didn't say every one was ignorant. I said the "level" of ignorance. You ignorant ignoramus.
Anyone remember the Song "He Man Woman Hater" by Extreme? Am I dating myself? Here's the lyrics...
"No Women Allowed!"
Let me tell you about this love and hate relation
Between a man and a woman
And so none of you all get the wrong interpretation
I can't live with them
I'm gonna die without them
Sooner or later
You'll be a he man woman hater
It's inevitable
And to become one
You've gotta really hate to love them
He man woman hater
He, he man woman hater
You know I love to hate cause I hate to love them
He man's behavior
Doesn't need no explanation
We all got a one track mind
He men have always had a sexual preoccupation
It's gonna be your place or it's gonna be mine
Sooner or later
You'll be a he man woman hater
It's inevitable
And to become one
You've gotta really hate to love them
He man woman hater
He, he man woman hater
You know I love to hate cause I hate to love them
He, he man woman hater
Can't live with em gonna die without 'em
Need I remind anyone that Gary Cannalte, the singer, was in Van Halen for like two minutes?
feminists want to get into the Masters, but don't care about women's rights in every corner of the world...unless, it is some evil african tribesman commiting FGM...then they get all up in arms again...damn clits.
College campuses generally are full of ignorance because the people that populate them (such as yourself Mr. Enlightenment) have yet to experience the real world.
This was a great article. There is a role for feminism - the kind that ensures women have the same choices and possibilities as Men. There is no role for the kind of feminism that blames everything on a fantasy called "The Patriarchy".
If you think you're "systematically oppressed" then you are, but only by yourself.
"...resorting to a cartoon... :sad:"
I dunno, I thought it was hilarious!
To white male, disgusted by ignorance on campus:
Thank you for summing up the situation exactly.
If you have done so little research that the best introduction you can think of is quoting the dictionary, your article isn't worth the paper it was printed on.
-Femininsm has hundreds of strains and permutations. Not only is it simply incorrect to state that there is an overall 'man-hating' tendency in feminism, it is an extreme oversimplification.
-Evidence, my friend. Provide me with ONE, that's right, just ONE EXAMPLE of these so-called 'man-haters' (and secondary sources do not count - Rush does not count). Except, of course, you won't - why? Because they are all either apocryphal; are not representative of 'feminism' but rather just one (rather out there) woman's view; or will be some thoroughly-debunked pseudo-academic's attempt at polemics.
I would be embarrassed had I written somthing so stupid.
Here's your evidence:
http://theunionleader.com/articles_showa.html?article=52849
To whoever called this a great article and took exception to those of us who think it's not because we haven't lived in the real world:
Perhaps we've just spent too much time in college where we're drilled with the idea that we ought to back up our assertions with some evidence if we want that assertion to be taken seriously. Especially when we're going to make geneeralizations about a group of people that we don't seem to really know that much about.
A better one:
http://theunionleader.com/articles_showa.html?article=53040
In the words of the famous song from an old Saturday Night Live sketch:
"Penis, penis, penis, penis, penis all day long!"
I think it's been shown that Isen doesn't exactly know what she's talking about. Because if she had asked one person who has taken a feminist theory class or has been exposed to a real, living breathing feminist (not one who is on TV, movies, the internet) she would know that feminism is not about male bashing. If she has read about any current feminist thought she would know that feminism is now in a third wave (yes there is more gender work to be done). That in no way "bashes males" but instead focuses on social justic and how systematic oppressions effect everyone (for those who don't believe in them, think about why boys are not allowed to cry or feel any emotion other than anger--is that natural?? No. Never in our culture are boys encouraged to express any sort of emotion, that's not fair and that's systematic).
Feminism has been given a bad name by those who don't understand it, I'm proud to be a feminist and I think any person who cares about humans should be one. Feminsm is about equal rights and being allowed to follow your path with freedom whether that be a teacher, CEO, Mother or buisness analyst.
For some positive websites, to see real feminsts go here:
http://www.feminist.org/
http://www.roomofonesown.com
*singing*
Life's ambition occupies my time
Priorities confuse the mind
Happiness one step behind
This inner peace I've yet to find
Rivers flow into the sea
Yet even the sea is not so full of me
If I'm not blind why can't I see
That a circle can't fit
Where a square should be
There's a hole in my heart
That can only be filled by you
And this hole in my heart
Can't be filled with the things I do
Hole hearted
Hole hearted
This heart of stone is where I hide
These feet of clay kept warm inside
Day by day less satisfied
Not fade away before I die
Rivers flow into the sea
Yet even the sea is not so full of me
If I'm not blind why can't I see
That a circle can't fit
Where a square should be
There's a hole in my heart
That can only be filled by you
And this hole in my heart
Can't be filled with the things I do
There's a hole in my heart
That can only be filled by you
And this hole in my heart
Can't be filled with the things I do
Hole hearted
Hole hearted
Hole hearted
Hole hearted!
God I loved that song!
I can't do this all on my own
No, I'm no, I'm no Superman.
I agree completely with the author. Cheers to more thoughts like these!!