Quote from: Nero on July 18, 2007, 12:31:40 AM
Hello guys and dolls.
I want to pose some questions to feminists or those schooled in feminism. Men schooled in feminism are encouraged to participate also.
Why is the 'no binary' thing so central to feminism?
I don't speak Feminish, but from what I gather from the militant rants I've been subjected to -
One of the core beliefs of this doctrine is the theory that the sole difference between males and females is the body. No binary, just complimenting reproductive systems.
This theory explains why some feminists are so opposed to transsexuality.
Why did the foremothers of feminism adopt this theory?
How does recognizing the inherent differences between men and women negate equality?
Isn't feminism about all that is 'Woman'?
Why isn't feminism a monument to the unique qualities that make women different to men?
Why isn't feminism a celebration of womanhood? (because it ain't if the only difference is penis vs vagina)
Why do feminists cling to this view when the rest of the world recognizes that Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus?
Again, I don't speak feminist tongue, so feel free to correct me if I've translated wrong.
The only terms I know are 'patriarchy', misogyny', and 'binary'. Picked up from the militant rants I've been subjected to.
So, in layman's terms please.
Nero
The feminists I know , including myself- I am a feminist, believe that sex differences do exist.
It is impossible to deny the fact that men are different than women on some levels.
For example, men might be better in spatial task, women are better in locating objects.
Feminists don't want to overemphasizes the sex differences because "biology is not destiny".
While there are a lot of differences between the sexes, one has to admit that there is a lot of differences within the sexes.
You cannot know what someone is like simply because of their gender.
A man can have more feminine characteristics than a woman, for example.
And feminism is not just about women. For me, feminism is about challenging the ideologies that sustain patriarchy and compulsory heterosexuality.
Feminism should not just serve the interest of women, but it should also serve the interests of anyone who has been oppressed or limited by the ideology (and social rules) that says the following :
men are superior than women and/or
that men and women should have different social status and roles because of the supposed sex differences between the sexes and/or
that real men cannot be gay (or real women cannot be lesbians )
and/or that women should be more sexually reserved than men
and/or that men should be the head of the household
and/or men are better in leadership position, especially in times of emergency
Feminism is very board, of course. There are liberal feminists, socialist feminists and conservative feminists.
I like socialism , but I don't believe in the complete elmination of captialism.
Feminism is humanism, it should be for everybody.