Some very interesting feedback from several interesting angles
I might address some of the points that have been raised, as they reflect what I believe are common misconceptions in interpreting feminism (although, as I have pointed out, the term covers a very broad spectrum of belief, and there are lots of shades within the movement).
It has been suggested that feminists believe in the superiority of women - not at all. I reject utterly the notion that feminism = female supremacy. Are there some radicals who believe this? Ayup. I haven't personally met one in a long time - not since my student politics days - but they certainly do exist. Is it reflective of the movement as a whole? Not at all in my experience.
It has also been pointed out - correctly - that 'equality' does not mean 'sameness'. Absolutely true. As Abraham Lincoln (among others) pointed out when discussing the American Constitution, the idea that we are equal does not mean that we are all endowed with the same talents, abilities and strengths. That goes for
all human beings, and not divisions by gender, race etc. There is a particular form of feminism - Cultural Feminism - that notes and celebrates these differences, and believes in distinct roles in which the different genders excel at. Now, I'm certainly not a Cultural Feminist, but I do think they have a point to a degree. I'm a realist - I know, for example, that physically I am never going to have the upper body strength of a man. Nor am I ever going to run as fast as a fit man of the same age. There are certain physical differences, many of them related to our reproductive systems, that ensure this. There are also many studies that suggest women often approach communication and problem solving in different ways then men. I work in the field of maritime history, and I have a male friend and occasional collaborator who has been known to become very frustrated with me when we discuss the bearings and co-ordinates of vessels at sea in interpreting certain historical incidents. 'Women,' he's told me, 'have no sense of spatial reasoning.' (And then, by way of mitigation, will add that 'you can multi-task like nobody's business, though'). These are generalisations, of course - there are women with exceptional spatial reasoning, just as there are men who can multitask and communicate brilliantly. I think it's useful to bear trends in mind, but each person has to be treated as an individual and not pre-judged on their talents and skilll by their gender.
The old 'don't want me to open a door for them' thing is something that many men complain of, possibly because it's the most glaring example of radicalism that many of them have encountered. My poor father is one of those that suffered from this, particularly during the late 70s and early 80s. It left him very tentative and concerned in his interactions with women, as he didn't want to offend them. A couple had rounded on him and abused him for holding open a door. This is particularly unfortunate, and I wonder how these women would have reacted had they know how he had personally -when Chief of Staff of one of the major NSW newspapers - increased the ratio of women on the staff by a huge percentage, and would have possibly even brought it up to a near 50/50% had he not been opposed by others in management. He did this not as a political statement (he wasn't a proto-affirmative activist by any means), but because he was hiring people on the basis of their talent and ability. So I am very sympathetic to men who have copped a serve of hostility for simply acting in what they had assumed was a courteous and polite manner.
I do not require anyone to open a door for me because of my gender - if I pass through a door, I keep it open for whoever follows, regardless of whether they are male or female. If someone has heavy bags, I open the door for them. If, however, a male colleague, friend or partner opens a door for me, pulls out a chair, fetches me a drink etc etc, I do not turn on them and give them a dressing down. I recognise the gesture for what I think it is - politeness, and a demonstration of the manners that have been inculcated into them. I don't
need them to do it for me, I don't require it of them, but at the same time I don't resent it when they do it.
Perhaps some people here have only knowingly encountered the feminists who feel the need to stridently proclaim their feminism, and are radical feminists. Someone like myself - or my mother - is simply living it and doesn't need to identify myself at every opportunity (I certainly wouldn't have done so in the normal course of discussion on this board, but it was specifically brought up). My mother is 'feminine' by virtually any standard - she's a petite little lady, dresses nicely, wears attractive clothing, works actively in the community and with her church, is exquisitely polite and is committed to her family. She does not harrangue people with her beliefs, but she does have very firm opinions and will state them politely in her rather mellifluous tones.
As I said, I believe it's a matter of choice. If a women chooses to work, she should do so in whatever field best suits her abilities and talents. If she chooses to remain at home and raise her family and finds her fulfilment as a homemaker, then that should be entirely her choice too. Neither should have 'baggage'. Likewise with men...in fact, with all individuals. I am a feminist, but that doesn't make me any less an egalitarian or a humanist.
