Feminism is a powerful word that evokes different emotions for people. There are classes, organizations and even entire universities based on the idea of feminism. Even here at Northeastern Illinois University we have a feminism-based student organization. The concept of equal rights for women seems to be an idea everyone can agree on. The definition of what exactly feminism is? That’s where people have a problem.
To me, feminism means equal rights for both genders. It means paying people of both genders equally based on skills and experience. It means allowing both women and men the choice to work or stay at home, as long as they both contribute equally. It means truly respecting everyone regardless of gender, family history, sexual orientation, and stereotypes. Feminism means allowing there to be “boys clubs” and “girls night out” without either gender calling foul. Feminism means an abundance of co-ed opportunities in traditionally ‘male’ and ‘female’ activities.
Both sides make valid points; ‘liberal’ feminists think that women should get equal pay for all types of jobs, the ‘conservatives’ believe that women should still be able to choose the life of a housewife (if they wish). I guess you could say I have seen both sides of the argument. What I have seen is that every generation changes in their definition of what a ‘successful’ woman needs to be. This has been evident in my friend’s families, as well as my own. My friends either want to be independent childless women or are the ones who had a working mom and want to stay home and care for the kids. I personally would love to be a career woman who might or might not have children.
Personal philosophies are one thing. The media is another story. Movies like “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell” and “Road Trip” are a feminist’s worst nightmare. They (usually) show women as brainless sex objects who are more than happy to objectify themselves to get the man. Even when a woman is shown as ‘strong’ and ‘independent’ in these films, she ends up forgetting everything the guy did that was disrespectful to her. The thing is, men are treated just as poorly in these movies. The male characters are usually along the lines of the brainless and romantically clueless ‘mook’ stereotype. As with the female characters, the males never seem to learn their lesson at the end of the movie (since everything works out in the end anyway).
Some people say that influences like this should be avoided because they just hurt people with their negative views. Others say that these forms of media are just comedy or social commentary, and have the characters learn from their ways. The question is, do we as ‘progressive’ individuals avoid these images and influences or do we learn to discern for ourselves?