On "Manifesta" exerpts
Over the past couple of years (since I’ve been discovering and exploring feminism), I’ve been very overwhelmed by all of the negative, sexist things in our society. In a sociology class I took (“Inequality in America”), we discussed theories about why girls perform well in school when they won’t see positive returns for their efforts in the working world; one of the hypotheses was “the Pollyanna approach”, which suggested that young girls growing up today are so unaware of the work world inequalities facing women that they achieve well in school despite almost certain inequality in their futures. I was struck by this hypothesis primarily because I identified so much with this “Pollyanna” character. I felt that I had led a sheltered life, and at the age of 17 when I was introduced to the hardcore pornography that my male friends viewed, I was completely shocked. Suddenly, I felt as if women were demeaned in secret, or unbeknownst to them. I felt horrified; it was as if this secret medium legitimized television roles and media depictions of women.
I’ve dealt with a lot of activism in this sense, (regarding pornography), but I mention it because I have felt so negative about feminism the past couple of years. I was worried that the world wasn’t as it seemed, that I’d grown up being spoon-fed lies. Of course, this is more dramatic than it needs to be. And, in fact, simply because women are portrayed like this in many places does NOT mean feminism is dead, that inequality is worsening. Baumgartner and Richard’s “Day Without Feminism” (& timeline) really articulated the gains that have been made over the past 36 years. And though there are certainly important gender inequality issues today, they cannot overshadow the positive changes that have been made. I suppose that I am very lucky to even be able to make such critiques! To even be as incensed as I am over modern issues must mean something about my upbringing, self-worth, and solidarity among other women.
Feminism has helped to foster the world I live in today. I believe it has given me a self worth that I may not have had, had I been born 30 years ago. I feel passionate. I feel entitled. I feel that, as a woman, I should be equal to men in this American society.
I have a mother who never wore make-up, who played sports as a child and is the breadwinner of my family. I have had many countercultural role models in my lifetime. To see daytime television programs about 4-year olds obsessed with makeup or with their weight is really scary (just for example; they are not necessarily representative…)
Girls need role models. They need to grow up feeling entitled, striving for goals, jobs and equality. I think the role of feminism today is as important as ever, if indeed we are “reverting backwards” as Sarah Evans alludes to. We have to keep the message out there, and keep teaching young girls to value themselves as more than a pretty face. And young adults like myself need to recognize that feminism is real, important, and above all, not dead.
Comments
You brought up a point that I hadn't even considered. I agree, though. When teenage boys see the images of women that porn represents, it's only natural that some aren't going to respect women in the ways that they should.
I also agree with you in the way that young girls need good role models. Recently, I was watching the Tyra show, and there was a little nine-year old girl that was starving herself because she didn't want to be fat. When I was a little girl there was no way that I was worried about that sort of thing; little girls shouldn't be preoccupied with their weight and looks. Instead they should be focused on their dreams and aspirations and should feel confident that they can achieve their goals.
Posted by: Jessie Baglien | January 28, 2007 05:04 PM
I find it interesting that feminists are supposed to be anti-children, but are truly trying to devote a better world for them (i.e. disposing of unhealthy influences like Bratz dolls and super-skinny models). Your arguments are most excellent, and I dig the insight into the Pollyanna thing.
Posted by: Stephanie Taylor | January 28, 2007 06:39 PM
I admire the fact that you've been able to keep a positive outlook on feminism, despite the trash that you've been exposed to. If people abandon hope and enthusiasm for the cause, they are responding just as patriarchy wants them to. Maybe someday people will look back on the pornography issue and be appalled that it was ever so prevalant, but then they will thank people like you who fought it. We can only hope!
Posted by: Jesse | January 28, 2007 08:51 PM
I agree with everything you mentioned. I am afraid for young girls to stop valuing themselves as real human beings, and just focus on their outter image. You are a very strong girl and I think with your help, people will be more aware and recognize the fact that feminism IS real, and it is essential to our lives and to our society.
Posted by: Jen | January 29, 2007 03:05 PM
Point well taken. Women deal with having to look good and it means you have to have a great body shape and the likes. But in reality, there is more to us than our physical attributes that people would love about us.
Women must need to love themselves. They can then boost confidence and never feel insecure. Being confident of ourselves will let us realize that people loves us for who we really are.
For women, we must boost our confidence and live freely without having to live up to the "standard" of what we should be like. Being ourselves makes it a reason enough to be truly loved.
Posted by: Boost Confidence | July 16, 2007 12:07 PM
Feminism is not really dead. Some just need to be nudged. Some women are aware of it but just don't have the confidence to participate in campaigns or to be more active. They need more communication skills to voice out their feelings, thoughts or ideas regarding the issue.
Feminism needs to be communicated to other females to raise awareness and avoid abuse. This will also help in mobilizing women to fight for their rights and to be more confident of themselves and do what they want to do in life.
Posted by: Communication Skills | October 2, 2007 05:23 PM
I think women are too emotional compared to men. We need to learn to become more positive to gain more self-confidence. Being positive will help us become stronger and to resist some negative things that might cause to lower our self-esteem.
Posted by: sedona method | May 26, 2008 03:47 PM