Today, on International Women’s Day, I’d like to wear a badge saying “feminist”. Because I am one. No apologies. No qualifications. No disclaimers. I just am. I’ve written about feminism before here and here. My thoughts are pretty well documented and they haven’t changed.
Yesterday, the Minister For the Status of Women, Kate Ellis, tweeted a link to this article by HR professional, Ellison Bloomfeld. I liked it so much, I asked if we could re-publish it here on Mamamia.
Ellison Bloomfeld writes:
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“A few years ago I was in a class at uni and the tutor asked the group, “who here would say, ‘I am a feminist’”, of 25 women, not one said yes. I was a bit disturbed by it at the time, I went out and bought Virginia Haussegger’s book ‘Wonder Woman: The Myth of Having It All’ and I got all revolutionary. And then I forgot about it for a while… but back to the point of this blog post.
On Tuesday 8 March it’s International Women’s Day, it’s the centenary of the event, but I don’t think that many people of my age group really get the day. In 1965 women weren’t allowed to drink in public bars in QLD by comparison women today have far better rights. But are we equal?
Women do 2/3 of the world’s work, produce 1/2 of the world’s food, yet earn just 10% of the world’s income and own 1% of the world’s property. In both developing and developed countries women suffer rape, sexual abuse and domestic violence. On the lesser end of the scale in the workforce we are paid less, battle the glass ceiling and many deal with the guilt of balancing work and family responsibilities.
I could rant about it, but this video on the International Women’s Day website sums it up pretty well;
What struck me the most in this video is a statement from Eva Cox,
The message to young women is, you might think you’re equal – but mate you’re not, you earn less; you earn less per hour; you earn less over your lifetime; you do a heap of unpaid work because someone’s gotta do it
You don’t run things – you don’t decide things – so don’t have the illusion you’ve got choice.”
Do you consider yourself a feminist and what does the word mean to you?
Comments
473 Comments so far
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Is feminism just another label/term that has been turned into something ugly to divide women & ensure we squabble more than take action (think of all those other divisive terms – stay at home mum, working mum, pro-choice, pro-life)… I consider myself a feminist because I believe in the equality of women, key word equality, I do not believe we are better than men, I believe we deserve equal standing & respect not only in our homes but in boardrooms, in villages, in factories & on the world stage. I believe we should have choices in life… just as I believe men should have choices in life. I think our real fight should be against disadvantage in all it’s forms – economic, social & systemic for both the sexes!
In saying all that, I do agree that we should not kid ourselves, we are not equal, Maybe you are in your house and maybe you have had the opportunity to make your own choices about the life you lead, you created a fulfilling life out of the circumstances you landed or created your own better circumstances… but lets face it many women out there do not have the power to alter their trajectory, they can’t make simple decisions that we consider basic human rights! Do we as fellow women owe these women something? Are we indebted to the women before us for our vote, our voice, our choices?
I have heard people lament that times were simpler when we didn’t need 2 incomes to survive, that children were better off when families weren’t so busy (underlying implication: when mum didn’t work or care about her career) that there is nothing wrong with wanting to be “just a mum”. My response to all that is that 1 – there is no such thing as “just a mum” & 2 yep sometimes having more choices can be hard! Especially of we continue to judge each others choices with bitterness. Women divided will always deliver oppression & social injustice. This womens’ day I urge you to judge less, help more… be grateful for the time we live in, with all it’s advantages & challenges & fight the good fight for equality for all!
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Perfect example… I walked into a prestigious car dealership the other day… ready to purchase a prestige vehicle… the salesMAN comes up to me and jokes “hahahaha does your husband know you are here?” and the rest of the salesMEN broke into a roar of laughter – my response was – “I am not married and that is by choice, I probably earn 3 times more than you do buddy, and guess what… you just lost yourself a sale” I simply left the dealership and went to their competitors where I was well received without the patronising attitude.
Its 2012 not 1950. Fool.
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Feminist – yes, absolutely. Eva Cox – love her. Misogynist dinosaurs as seen in above video – thankfully near extinction, I hope.
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yes.
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“I’ll be a post-feminist in a post-patriarchy.”
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Ah yes, how did I know I would only have to get 1 or 2 posts in to this one to see words like ‘pathriachal’ and ‘misogynist’, those good ol’ ‘womens studies’ lines still being trotted out when they are well past their use by date here in Australia.
I dont understand the need for feminism in Australia any more – men and women have equal levels of problems and disadvantage today. I am sure someone will scream ‘yeah but what about…’, but for every one of your female specific examples, there are issues for men that are just as important. Yet we do not qualify as worthy of having, for instance, a minister to look out for ours.
In Australia 20 years ago – yes, a need for feminism. Internationally in some parts of the world – yes a need. In Australia today, why use a gender specific term to denote the fight for equality and injustice, when there are as many issues on either side of the fence now.
Lets all look out for injustice and inequality, wherever it lies. Time to burn ‘The Female Eunuch’ and move on girls.
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Ah, yeah, OK. Did you read that post at all? Are there still politicians on the right side of politics who’d like to take away your reproductive choices? No, didn’t think so. Domestic violence — the statistics speak for themselves. The glaring wage disparity? Differences in superannuation?
We may have come a long way since the ’50s, but it doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels and assume things can’t go backwards again. Tony Abbott certainly has some interesting ideas about women.
Even if, let’s say, there was no so such thing as gender inequality in this wonderful egalitarian country we live in, because, by God, haven’t women got all the same things as men have now? In fact, haven’t they got it better? Then Australian feminists — women and men — should be agitating for change for women elsewhere in the world who don’t have it as good as we do. We live in a global village now where the majority of the world’s women do no have the same kind of civil or social rights as men – if they have any at all. Simple.
And have you actually read ‘The Female Eunuch?’
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see, this is the very issue. All Jason was saying was that both genders have issues – and you (typical of many ‘feminists’ cant even accept this and as expected start the old ‘what about…’ just as he forecast you would. I think you just under score his point perfectly.
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Why bring up Tony Abbott, we have a female PM, GG and we still do not have a say over Abortion, Assisted Death,Gay marrage, etc etc. As for women elsewhere, it’s not all about man and women but more about religion and that’s a whole other blog
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Unfortunately, in case you haven’t realised, the term ‘equalism’ isn’t exactly widespread. Feminism means equalism – or at least it should. This meaning is because of its history; it’s gender-specificity is intrinsic to the path it has forged. People who use ‘feminism’ to mean ‘women’s rights are more important than men’s’ are morons and have the completely wrong end of the stick.
Misogynism and sexism are still rife in Australia.
That is a fact.
If you disagree with that you are delusional.
That being said, I’m not entirely sure women help their cause by creating things like ‘women’s support groups’ etc. The best thing women can do to help their cause is to play ball with the blokes (not literally, of course – I hate sports). Argue with them, never back down. I hate to see young women my age laughing and looking pretty for ‘their guy’. Be interesting and strong, have opinions and make them known, and for god’s sake, never let anyone treat you like any less of a person than you are.
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Feminism is NOT equalism. Equalism concerns itself with addressing equality with men for women. Feminism only seeks to seek areas of equality for women, completely absent of any consideration for issues affecting men.
Which I have no problem with, but it is not equalism.
“Misogynism and sexism are still rife in Australia If you disagree with that you are delusional. ”
Being that rife means Of common occurrence; widespread and that misogynism mean the hate of women, I must be delusional, because I do not believe their is a wide spread hatred of women.
Not Hatred.
I also don’t believe misogyny is more prevalent than misandry.
There is sexism, but it occurs pretty equally against men from women and women from men.
The huge difference is we have institutionized structures and laws that punish sexism against women and ignore sexism against men.
There are nothing wrong with women’s support groups per se, but the idea of tackling differences in gender by staying separate makes me wonder.
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‘Free Human Being’ I think you have misunderstood me because you appear criticise me and yet you appear to largely agree with me.
“Feminism is NOT equalism. Equalism concerns itself with addressing equality with men for women. Feminism only seeks to seek areas of equality for women, completely absent of any consideration for issues affecting men.” I’m sorry, but what do you think equality for women means – equal with what? Fish? I don’t really see how this refutes what I said.
Next, perhaps misogynism is too harsh a term, I’ll grant you that. However, I do believe that there are plenty of blokes out there that dislike strong women who challenge them.
As for, ‘I also don’t believe misogyny is more prevalent than misandry.’ This is an interesting point. However, I think misogyny and misandry tend to present themselves in different ways, so I really have no idea which would be more common.
‘There is sexism, but it occurs pretty equally against men from women and women from men.
The huge difference is we have institutionized structures and laws that punish sexism against women and ignore sexism against men.
There are nothing wrong with women’s support groups per se, but the idea of tackling differences in gender by staying separate makes me wonder.’
Absolutely true, I agree with all of this 100%. I do not see that this goes against anything in my original comment?
Finally, I would appreciate it if you tried not patronise me, should you choose to reply. Thanks.
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Thank you for your polite response.
The only thing I really sought to refute was the notion of rampant misogyny.
I certainly did note that in the start of your post you made a similar point to me.
I’m sorry if I give the impression of patronizing anyone, but the truth is I never usually have a 2-deep reply that doesn’t contain someone calling my ideas ridiculous, stupid or just outright nasty responses.
It is a pleasure to talk with you.
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i must say jason i totally agree with you. once apon a time feminists stood for equal rights. now it seems to be just another social label and i take my life in my hands here… almost like goth’s, emo’s or punks. the sufferagetes. now they WERE feminists. they put their lives on the line for equal rights. now i’m no saying that issues for females dont exist in australia. they do but their are also plenty of problems for men.
you speak of equal pay for equal work. the right to be the women you want to be etc
what about the bias in the courts against single fathers. what about men cant even comment on feminism without being labeled as some evil misogynist who’s out to stomp us women down. seriously.
men and women all have issues in australia.
i quote-
equality used to be just that. Equality. treating everyoneone equally alike.
these days thats not it at all.
equality nom means discrimination disguised as ideals; it means preferential treatment for special intrest groups, including women.
we should start to think about this while were still allowed to. – john law
Pingback: Being a Feminist is more than just about body hair | Freedom Tights!
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So happy to see so many proclaim to be feminists and proud of it. Thanks Mia for being courageous enough to put it out there so strongly. You help give a voice to so many that feel the same way.
I am somewhat disappointed though, reading through the comments, there is so much focus about shaving legs and armpits!
The video is a CALL TO ACTION to young women to strive to make things better for the next generation of women. Why young women? Well as I see it, the older generations have already done their bit and sacrificed quite enough. Now its our turn. Except we don’t have to sacrifice like they did BECAUSE of the work that was done before us.
The message I see coming from this video is that we shouldn’t take for granted what women before us protested and campaigned for. Look at how many changes they achieved in a very short period of time!
When was the last time we saw young women get together and protest publicly together for important change? I’ve never seen it in my lifetime that is for sure.
Hey, I know an issue, how about who is running our largest companies in Australia? Yep, you guessed it, mostly men. Why aren’t more young women up in arms about this? The future is looking bleak if you are career driven and want to be a CEO someday.
The ASX had to bring out a report on the companies that didn’t have women represented on their board for the issue to be put on the agenda. Then it had to be a topic on Q and A and be the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day to get any proper media attention! Why doesn’t the mainstream media highlight it? It should be front page news everywhere! Well of course same problem. The status quo persists, men are running popular media too.
When are we all finally going to wake up and finish what women before us started? Who is going to stand on our shoulders?
Pheareak Ly that was featured on the video, the activist for female workers in Cambodia, is asking for help in the video. Australian women with all the resources at our fingertips can actually help causes like this. We can get involved with something larger than ourselves. Mia, why cant Mamamia officially support something like this? You have the power to get the momentum going.
I feel like we all complain about our first world problems and make jokes about it. We reduce whether we are feminists or not down to our hair or lack of hair on our bodies. If the hair is too short on our heads we are scared we will be called dykes. If the hair happens to grow under our arms and on our legs and its not removed, well again, we will be scared of something! Its so indulgent compared to what half the world’s women face on a daily basis for being born the “wrong” gender.
Oh, it makes me feel so frustrated!! Im sick of pretending that I don’t care about these important, bigger issues that have a greater meaning in life.
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If you truly wanted EQUALITY, we’d have a Ministry for Gender Equality. Why are you so blinded by gender separation? Are you saying that women should be given preference over men purely because of their gender? Should Australian businesses sack their male CEOs and place in a female, purely because of gender? It should be based on merit. We currently have a female Governor General, a female PM, several female premiers, CEO Westpac etc. I think feminists are scared of equality (I MEAN TRUE EQUALITY – which implies sacrifices on BOTH sides). For example – a TRULY equal perspective regarding birth rights would be that a father to be has the LEGAL right to forgo all financial contribution to a child should it be born. Is it morally or ethically sound? No, but it is equal. What about the ratio of fathers that lose custody of their children? I’m male, i’m proud to be male and I’m for gender EQUALITY. Women of Australia have come a long way and its great to see. But DONT make the mistakes of the past and turn the table completely in your favour, it would be destroying everything you’ve worked for in the last 100 years.
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Bread and Roses
By James Oppenheim
As we go marching, marching, in the beauty of the day,
A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill lofts gray,
Are touched with all the radiance that a sudden sun discloses,
For the people hear us singing: Bread and Roses! Bread and Roses!
As we go marching, marching, we battle too for men,
For they are women’s children, and we mother them again.
Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes;
Hearts starve as well as bodies; give us bread, but give us roses.
As we go marching, marching, unnumbered women dead
Go crying through our singing their ancient call for bread.
Small art and love and beauty their drudging spirits knew.
Yes, it is bread we fight for, but we fight for roses too.
As we go marching, marching, we bring the greater days,
The rising of the women means the rising of the race.
No more the drudge and idler, ten that toil where one reposes,
But a sharing of life’s glories: Bread and roses, bread and roses.
Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes;
Hearts starve as well as bodies; bread and roses, bread and roses.
In honour of the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day,
Let us remember all those women who have touched our lives and gone before us
in the struggle for women’s rights in order that we might all know and realize our full humanity. And thank you for being part of that rich history.
Happy International Women’s Day!
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I consider myself a feminist in that I believe in a woman’s right to have choices. If a woman chooses to be a stay-at-home mum then all power to her. Ditto if she wants to be a power-house career woman. Granted, her rise to the top as a career woman may not be simple or always welcome. There are still people out there who prefer women to be kept in their “traditional” roles. This is a societal problem that needs combatting.
The idea of “having it all” is another problem. It seems to me that it just adds to the load of pressure that is already placed on women to adhere to certain ideals that exist within society. So, now we have to be consistently thin and beautiful (or the media’s ideal of what is beautiful), be a nurturing and caring mother (or aspire to be one) all while maintaining an impressive career. Some women can probably do this but to me it just sounds exhausting! Men have it a little easier, I think. They are not often expected to be the primary carer of the children or be responsible for the majority of the housework whilst earning an income for the family. And there isn’t the same kind of pressure on men to look a certain way either. But on the other side of the coin, I don’t think society is very accepting of the idea of a stay-at-home dad, either.
I am not a man-hater, in any way. My ideal would be a world in which men and women had equal opportunities and equal choices, not one in which women reign. Because it’s not just men putting pressure on women, It’s women putting pressure on themselves.
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I completely agree Little Em. My chosen career path is dominated by men (I’m in the Defence Force) and I have two beautiful children and a wonderful husband. Not only am I trying to juggle my work priorities and live up to an expectation that I can perform both mentally and physically on par with men, I’m also trying to be a good mother and supportive wife. I’m faced with pressure from every direction and the weight of it can be overwhelming sometimes. Luckily my husband is a very modern and supportive type male and we both share all of the domestic duties, something I greatly appreciate. I have many friends that are trying to do it all and I feel sorry for them.
On another note, my mum was a teenager in the 1960′s. She still makes comments to me about the fact my husband does the washing and sewing in our house. Apparently it’s a woman’s job!
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I’m a bit late to this party, but I would like to proudly proclaim my father and FIL as feminists, even if they don’t realise it.
FIL and MIL were hosting some guests years ago, when they snapped their fingers at MIL and demanded ‘coffee’. FIL immediately jumped in “That’s not how we treat women…” etc. Well done, David Freiberg.
My dad was APPALLED at some of the reactions he got when announcing the birth of his daughters. With me, they said “Are you disappointed she’s not a boy?”. With my baby sister they asked “Are you going to keep trying until you have a boy?”. He asked, how can you so completely de-value a tiny baby, from the very minute they are born, just because of their gender? Well done, Phil Heath.
Ask yourselves, guys – Would I want my daughter to be all that she can be, to achieve everything she sets her mind to? If the answer is yes, then you too are a feminist.
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A few years ago in a large lecture we were asked who was a feminist in the room… Only several people put there hand up.
He then said “I am a feminist… A feminist is someone who believes in equal rights for women”. He then asked the question again. Most people put their hand up.
This demonstrated to me that the term needs redefining and this will help to remove a lot of the negative stereotypes the media has helped to fuel.
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Awesome post Georgie
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I think you have identified the crux of the issue there Georgie. Do I believe in equal rights for women? Of course I do. Does the feminist movement and all that is associated with it appeal to me? Do I identify with it? Unfortunately not.
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What an interesting comment Katie. I consider myself a feminist (ie, someone who believes in sexual equality) but over the years Iv had that simple philosophy equated with being a lesbian, a man-hater and someone once even asked me if that means I dont like children.
Like all good ideas that threaten the status quo, feminism is often the subject of insidious smear campaigns which characterise it as all sorts of things that its not. Remember when feminists were trivialised as ‘bra burners’?
I suspect this sort of mis-characterisation is behind many younger women’s reluctance to embrace the label.
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Iv just realised how patronising that sounded…sorry Katie.
What I meant to say is that there are plenty of things that are said to characterise ‘feminism’ which in fact dont at all, or just represent some individual’s personal veiws of what feminism is.
The ones about “Feminists dont think women should dress femininely” or “feminists dont agree with women staying home to raise a family while their partner participates in the paid workforce” are typical among these.
Equality is about CHOICE. If people truly choose to dress a certain way, or to live their lives a certain way, within reason of course, then I consider that entirely consistent with feminism. What feminism rails against is the lack of choices and opportunities that characterise womens experience in the world, to a greater degree, than it characterises men’s experience in the world.
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Yes Kate that is the point it’s about CHOICE in: education, voting, clothing, career, jobs, stay at home mums, our bodies, our right to die,freedom of speech and we are celabrating the Women that suffered for us and are still. We are very lucky that our country allows us to fight for what we beleive in and not throw acid over us, stone us, inprison us. We should always celebrate International Womens Day.
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I completely agree Georgie, people STILL think that feminists a) hate men and b) can only be women. I was raised a feminist by my feminist father and it infuriates me when people think they know what they’re talking about and really, have no idea!
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surely the fight for equal right, by the very definition, does not need to be gender specific. That is what I dont get.
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Defintley 327% feminist
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Eva Cox:
‘you do a heap of unpaid work because someone’s gotta do it’
This rabid statement ignores that there is someone else out at work. And what it fails to recognise, is that in those cases, an arrangement has been agreed upon. Whether unpaid or paid, work is still work. The partner who goes to paid work is no different to the partner who stays at home to do the unpaid work. Between the two they run a family, something that neither feminists nor Eva Cox seem to appreciate.
Another of Eva’s quotes:
‘You don’t run things – you don’t decide things – so don’t have the illusion you’ve got choice.’
We have a female Premier in NSW, and in QLD, and we’ve had a few others in Victoria. Our Governor-General is a woman. The NSW Governor-General is a woman. The boss of Westpac (and therefore St George) is a woman. If these women and others can make the jump, in the rough and tumble world of politics and banking, which certainly sorts the men from the boys, where is the discrimination? If these women aren’t ‘running’ things, I’ll eat my hat.
Oh yeah, and we have a female Prime Minister.
Check-out chicks are paid the same as check-out boys, train drivers of either sex are paid the same. Taxi cab drivers, the same, in fact most jobs today pay the same wage regardless of gender.
So why this belated feminist drive in 2011? Is it from a pampered bunch of Gen X women who have grown up with the notion of women’s rights, but found that, really, there wasn’t much to fight about? These women live in their sequestered world, yet imagine iniquities on behalf of third world nations as a means of justifying their overly expensive lattes.
As far as I can see, women in the third world deprived of their rights are living alongside men and children deprived of their rights. That’s right. The third world is about people not a gender. To focus on a gender is cherry-picking at its worst.
Perhaps feminists should focus on human rights rather than solely on female rights. In the global world, it’s abstruse to wonder why feminists are so focused on women at the expense of men and children.
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WTF?
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is that the best counter you have. That says it all.
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You bring up some fantastic points…. As always, there is another side to a debate.
I would suggest that feminism is STILL important though. It is just one facet of human rights. We need people like yourself, whilst we also need people like Eva to ensure the ball keeps rolling.
In business it does appear that men do hold most of the executive positions. Also, in politics, men are still the majority. Hence, feminism is still critical for us.
However, your points are important too. As, someone does have to be with the children. It is usually agreed upon between two people….
One of my greatest issues with feminism is that it portrays a very disturbing message- somehow being at home looking after children, raising the worlds future is no longer fulfilling or valued as a woman. That is my only issue with it. Otherwise GO FEMINISM
Feminism to me is about choice. The choice of working should not be valued more than being with our children. Never.
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at least women typically have more choice in life as to whether they chase career or stay home with kids, or balance both. If you are fighting for choice, you already have more. Try being a man and asking your boss for life work balance.
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What about the fact that feminism runs much deeper than just ‘what sex gets paid more’?
What about the fact that in a LOT of mainstream advertising, pop culture etc, women are STILL positioned as objects of desire; as something to look at and ogled? And the same still happens in film – an amazing feminist/film theorist Laura Mulvey who noted that females, even if fully clothed or whatever, are so often placed submissively in film etc.
Sure, we may see semi-naked pics of blokes around, but for some reason they are still not seen as being the ‘submissive’ sex in film, pop culture etc. But women are. It’s perpetuating, however implicitly, that women will always be objects of the ‘gaze’ – and not much more.
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I have to say… who would buy magazines full of good looking men? Woman are nicer to look at lol…
Jokes aside….I relate to what you are saying
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says who?
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I would!
Jokes aside, I do think that the reason magazines are full of good looking women and older and uglier men is because there is still a belief that men value good looking potential partners more highly than women do. So women won’t judge an older and uglier man as harshly as men judge older and uglier women….
really I have no idea if this is true or not. All I know is it seems vastly unfair to me to not see more interesting, successful older women profiled in magazines.
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As Najla’s comment reminds me, we are all entitled to different points of view, so thanks for writing Gig. It seemed that there was some aggression in your comment, to back lash against the other comments, and at first I wanted to write meanly in response but that doesn’t sit well with me.
Rather than placing nations in a numerical hierarchy I prefer to refer to countries, continents, nation states in different ways, surely the phrase ‘developing nations’ could cover the places you refer to as the ‘third world’? Or perhaps as the above video features some Cambodian women the discussion could centre on your perception of their rights.
I take your point that the suppression of human rights will affect every individual regardless of gender, and having briefly visited Cambodia, I can confirm that some people live lifestyles very different to the average Australian lifestyle. Cambodia is a nation where human rights do not occupy a valued position but from this point sadly it is my opinion and observance that men have greater opportunities in Cambodia and are less likely to be sexually assaulted; Gig imagine this tragedy, a people already without much in this world which Australians can take for granted, but then Cambodian daughters, and mothers and aunties and nieces having less than that. Your point that there are some good things in Australia for women is wholly valid but please be open to the need for continuation of support for women’s rights, and don’t throw such a general blanket that you devalue the struggle of truly needful women worldwide and at home.
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Just love your response… Very intelligent and respectful way of debating…
This is how we grow. I am now sure Gig would be more open to her views being challenged.
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Here’s one response to your comment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkp4t5NYzVM
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Just watched that… ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!!!!
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Your comment is very long so I’m going to respond to it sequentially.
Firstly, I think your comment about unpaid vs paid is kind of missing the point. I do not understand the unsaid proposition that there needs to be one person doing paid work and another doing unpaid work. The problem is that in most relationships where both partners are working (and, let’s face it, stay at home parents, mums or dads, are fairly few and far between), the female does the vast majority of the ‘unpaid work’ while doing similar or the same amounts of paid work as the man. In many relationships, if the woman did not do the cleaning, washing or child rearing, it either would not get done or it would have to reach critical levels before any bloke would lift a finger. Men are taught in adolescence that it is ok and normal for them to live in their own filth, where as woman are taught from childhood (just look at all the ‘homely’ pink toys for the under fives) to care about their surroundings and the people in it.
To an extent, I agree with your second point. Eva Cox’s statement is outdated. Choice and freedom is not necessarily something that is going to be handed to you on a silver platter, regardless of your sex. It is something that needs to be fought for and defended.
That being said, congrats for female check out chicks and train drivers, I’m sure we are all overjoyed at them having equal pay. It is not merely about equal wages, but about equal job opportunities. I am sure you cannot deny that there is still a notion of ‘male’ and ‘female’ jobs: pmy school teachers, childcare workers (hell, anything to do with kids), nurses, professional dancers & netballers, models, occupational therapists, etc. Yes, most previously ‘male’ jobs now have somewhat significant female participation (politicians, business people, doctors, lawyers, academics), but this is not reciprocal. Yes, you come across the odd male nurse, but the fact is men are far less likely to risk the stigma attached to going into ‘female’ occupations than women are likely to attempt to get into ‘male’ jobs. Furthermore, if you honestly believe women are actually treated the same as men in any workplace, you are delusional. They may be paid the same, but that is only one variable in the equation. There is a much bigger picture.
As for the fact that we have a female PM being used to suggest gender equality, this is nonsense. Gillard’s appearance and demeanour is analysed and criticised routinely, and apparently this is perfectly ok. ‘She looks like a heron’, ‘she’s too mono-tonal’, ‘She needs to dye her hair’, ‘Her make-up/hair looks awful’, ‘Red heads shouldn’t wear bright colours’, ‘She doesn’t dress femininely enough’ blah blah blah. Who the f*** cares? John Howard’s appearance was rarely mentioned, save for the tracksuit and eyebrows, Abbott’s appearance is rarely mentioned, save for the budgie smugglers. What possible comments could we cook up for any male counterpart, ‘his suit is too black – it doesn’t match his hair’? Please, if you think Gillard is treated the same as a male PM, you are seriously mistaken.
As for the comment on Gen X? Sweetie, I’m a Gen Y feminist and proud of it =D (Smilie put in just to prove it)
Finally, if you think ‘third world’ men have it just as bad as ‘third world’ women, please take a trip to Somalia. Millions of women are raped every day, infected with HIV and left to try to help their children survive. At least most of the men only have to worry about themselves.
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Really Gig!
Firstly: the NSW Premier is a man
Secondly: have you every visited the “third world” women do not have rights.
Thirdly: I love the fact that Gen X is talking about International womens Day Gen X women are the result of “a womens right to higher education”, “a right to birth control” “a right to choose”, ” freedom of speach” They are tomorrows Mums and Dads.
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Yes- without a doubt I am a feminist- but to me it just means that I believe in equality for all.
When feminism is mentioned here, we think of things like women priests or our first female prime minister, maybe the role of men and women in the home or equal pay in the workforce. However, whether you consider yourself a feminist or not, few would argue that girls should be married at the age of 13, that violence against women should be tolerated or that girls should be overlooked when it comes to adequate nutrition or education.
Because women are women, regardless of where they live, and that universality is the key to understanding and further action. The time has come for women in developed countries to stop, look over their shoulders and see that many women in poor countries have been left far behind. While the focus of feminism has been on narrowing the inequality between men and women, the real gap is actually among women. The gap between women in wealthy and poor countries is far greater than that between men and women within wealthy countries. I wonder whether we have forgotten the real battle lines and become too caught up in our own selfish concerns while women in far away places have been all but forgotten. True feminism must be a movement for the advancement of all women not just for the already advanced.
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Am I feminist?? YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES
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I LOVE being a woman. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I have always labelled myself as an equalitist (is there such a word?).
I salute all those women in the clip as amazing and brave pioneers that I am so thankful to, and also to the many women that continue to make this world a better place to live. Thank you. xxx
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I have only read a few pages of comments and have had a few wines….BUT…
I am a feminist. No qualifiers.
I find the minute things people associate with that hilarious. I don’t shave my pits or legs, cos I’m lazy and always have been. same reason I rarely wear make up. Never stopped me getting laid in my dating days and my husband is as happy as larry.
I didn’t even feel like ‘keeping my name’ was a feminist thing. It just made no sense to me not to take another persons name. It seemed weird.
I ask for my pay rises and promotions cos I’m bloody good at what I do and that is how you get them.
The things some people equate with feminism actually make me giggle……..
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Just curious how you get your pay rises and promotions and are so good at what you do when you “are lazy and always have been.”
I can’t think of anyone I know who is highly competent and has gotten ahead at work but is too lazy to spare a minute in the shower to shave their armpits. In fact, I can’t think of anyone I know who doesn’t shave their armpits, period.
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“I can’t think of anyone I know who is highly competent and has gotten ahead at work but is too lazy to spare a minute in the shower to shave their armpits. In fact, I can’t think of anyone I know who doesn’t shave their armpits, period.”
I can. MEN.
Edited to add, you can’t always know when someone’s shaved their armpits or not. Especially in winter. I used to work in an all women environment, where lots of the women didn’t shave anything, and quite a few of them were in the high-up positions
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Yes, men don’t (although not all men, some do) but I was clearly talking about women here.
Of course I can’t see whether someone has shaved their armpits if they’re wearing long sleeves but I lived in Perth for 15 years where, due to the weather, legs and armpist were often exposed and I don’t remember seeing anyone walking around who didn’t shave.
I live in a colder climate now and work with lots of high up women and whenever they wear a skirt their legs are shaved. If you are a lawyer, psychologist, banker or whatever, why would you want your clients to be distracted by your hairy legs. It only makes sense that you shave them if they are exposed. I can’t understand that someone can be that lazy, to me it’s not about looking good, I just see it as part of basic hygiene.
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Oh, now you’re being ridiculous! How on earth is it any more or less hygienic for women than it is for men? What a shallow thing to say!
If a client were small minded enough to be distracted by something like that, it says more about them than the worker
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People are easily distracted, that’s just how it is. Lots of jobs require you to dress conservatively, wear minimal jewellery and neutral make up so you are not distracting others and the focus is entirely on your work and what you are doing/saying.
I am speaking for myself when I say that basic hair removal is part of my hygiene, like brushing my teeth and washing my hair. If you feel clean when you don’t shave that’s fine with me. It’s something that I am so used to doing and I feel uncomfortable and dirty when I don’t do it.
Why get so righteous, just because you don’t agree with me on something as trivial as hair removal doesn’t make me shallow and ridiculous.
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Why the double standard, Jess? I shave my legs and armpits, because I prefer it that way, but I don’t think in general women should be expected to do it more than men. And the hygiene argument is rubbish- men’s hair is coarser and they sweat more, which means there’d be more justification for expecting them to, if you’re arguing for it on hygienic grounds alone. The extent to which people are unwittingly affected by social conditioning and indoctrinated gender roles is truly depressing.
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Jess, it’s not hygiene, it’s grooming. I shave sometimes, and sometimes I don’t. I’m with Cat Lady; men sweat far worse than us!
I just can’t understand why you can’t see the glaring double standard. Happy Women’s Day, feminists everywhere! Clearly we have a long way to go.
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Sigh I don’t care if you shave or not, which by the way, you both said you do. Cat lady, you said you do it because you prefer it that way, I’m sure that’s why you do it too, Hear Mum Roar, otherwise why would you?
Well, I prefer it that way too, I just said I prefer it because I feel cleaner when I do it. I like to take care of myself, that’s my choice, it’s not a crime, and I don’t need you patronising me because of it.
Happy Women’s Day!
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Jess, I have no problem with you choosing it for yourself. As I said, I do too. I have a huge problem with you saying other women “should”.
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My comments are more directed at your statement that women who don’t shave don’t get ahead and can’t do the job properly. That’s what I disagree with
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No, no, I never said that women who don’t shave can’t do their job properly. I just commented that I found it interesting someone was saying they get promotions, pay rises and are really good at what they do but have always been so lazy that they can’t even be bothered shaving (her words). I was just curious at how you can be that lazy and still get ahead. Perhaps she has different priorities and doesn’t care about shaving but she did specifically say she doesn’t do it because of laziness.
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Yeah, but she said she was too lazy to shave, then went on to say she does a good job and is good at what she does, etc.
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You also said:
“I live in a colder climate now and work with lots of high up women and whenever they wear a skirt their legs are shaved. If you are a lawyer, psychologist, banker or whatever, why would you want your clients to be distracted by your hairy legs. It only makes sense that you shave them if they are exposed.”
And:
“People are easily distracted, that’s just how it is. Lots of jobs require you to dress conservatively, wear minimal jewellery and neutral make up so you are not distracting others and the focus is entirely on your work and what you are doing/saying.”
Would you be saying the same if males had their legs exposed? Perhaps we should be taking a closer look at a working culture that’s so narrow-minded that how someone appears (and how closely they fit the gender stereotype) is more important than and distracts from how they do their job. Or at colleagues whose sensibilities are so delicate they are cripplingly distracted by a bit of hair…
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Cat lady, the majority of men in high up jobs don’t wear shorts and singlets, they wear pants and shirts so no one really sees their legs and armpits but it means they also have expectations they have to adhere to at work.
If you take lawyers or doctors as an example, both men and women have an appearance standard that they need to maintain. Both have to wear conservative clothes, no mini skirts, no singlets, no MAC counter-like make up, minimal jewellery, no tattoos on neck, hands etc. Although these rules are not directly related to how someone performs in their job, I believe some of them (not all) are there for a reason.
My friend works at a dental practice and she is not allowed to have two colours in her hair, as in highlights, because people complain if their dental hygienist has a hair colour they don’t approve of. I couldn’t care less how my dentist colours her hair but some people are that sensitive and something that insignificant bothers them.
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Hmm…. maybe you need to get out a bit more?
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An avid feminist. I’m oblivious to any anti-feminist stigma out there.
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I am a feminist and proud of it.
I work in a traditionally male field and in my company (aside from the partners) I am the second highest paid (a very small margin between me and #1 – a male – however a very big gap between me and #3 – a male).
I wear make-up, my shoes are either flats or 10cm+. I lurve Lisa Ho, Satch, Fleur Wood and Balenciaga handbags.
I refuse to sacrifice my femininity to play with the men. I will not accept anything less than them accepting me for who and what I am. After all, I’m expected to accept men for who and what they are without question.
I refuse to apologise for any of this. In fact, I don’t see any good reason as to why I should have to apologise for being me.
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Good on you, feminist should never have to equal un-feminine
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Yes, and proud.
In our family at the moment I’m the fulltime worker and my husband is the stay-home Dad. It’s a role reversal we both enjoy – each of us gets our fulltime year home with our son.
I work for the Westpac Group and am proud to have Gail Kelly as our CEO, and proud that our group has so many family-friendly staff entitlements and policies to help everyone juggle career and family. Two men in our team are currently taking paternity leave so their wives can get back to work – it’s awesome that they have this opportunity.
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I’m a loud and proud feminist who got herself kicked in the teeth by her middle eastern father A LOT!! as a kid thankfully he has realised to not talk about those things with me any more. However i find it sad that even in a post about feminism it still comes down to looks one calls feminists “hairy armpitted” or asking for a return to “dress for comfort not for style”. Isn’t his about being treated as a woman should be treated not how she has been treated in the past??.
A woman should have a choice about a career in whatever she wants, a choice to continue that career whether or not she has children or gets married. To have access to the same feeling of safety and respect every where she goes. To be able to finance her life with her job and loans from financial institutions.
I like many of you have many stories to illustrate how women are in my opinion not there yet, but the largest most biting memory i have is being seven years old home sick for the day with my mum ( who took the day off work to look after me). At the time i was number two of three kids, mum was pregnant with my brother. The phone rang it was mum’s work ( i know because i answered the phone. Mum was a telephonist and required that we all answer the phone correctly) So this was practise really then after handing the phone over within minutes my mum was in tears. I can’t remember how i found out the details of the phone call. But it went a little something like this. Because she took the day off for her family she may as well not come back as the next child would surely mean she wouldn’t be returning so they would save themselves some time. I kept that with me for years and when i started reading The Beauty Myth at 17 i finally understood where all my rage at the indignity of what they put her through. So for the memory of my sobbing pregnant mother, i will continue to fight for the cause of women every where
http://www.girleffect.org
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I’m definitely a feminist. I work for a huge international well known brand and there was not one single mention or event organised at work today for international womens day. We are now told women can have it all, just not at the same time. But what does it say about my workplace when we celebrate every other possible event but not today? It says a lot that all my superiors are men and any female in uppermanagement pretty much only has a token role. It is a well known fact in my workplace. Why do I stay? I absolutely love my job n it’s paying the bills. I’m on a great salary and there are lots of positives but it’s like the stuff that (didn’t) happen today which irks me. There is so much kicking out the jams that can be done befor it’s time to move on. Feminism to me is to keep making an impact and driving forward in knowing my rights and fighting for them when needed. I grew up in a highly conservative family and still cop the questions around what my parents expectations are of me. Not my mum, but my dad. I’ve had more opportunities than my mum ever did and for that I am eternally grateful. I want the same for my daughter and for us not to have to fight the walls and ceilings, they do exist from my own experience. Behind every great man is a great woman, but I want my great man beside me. I didn’t want to get married at 21 which was what was expected of me. I wanted to live my life and travel and get my degrees and get great jobs and opportunities. I am still learning n gaining fullfilment in all areas of my life. When I was born people felt sorry for my parents because it was another daughter (not a son). I heard that most of my life and what I could and couldn’t do as a female and I took every opportunity to kick out the jams. I embrace the word feminist and proud to be one. I am proud to do whatever I can to keep fighting the good fight, even when it’s ok to recognise it’s better to use that energy in a better work environment. I used to be obsessed with music and rrriot grrls and it’s that raw anger and aggression, that tough attitude that makes me so proud I was born a woman. Women are so strong, we do so much and we get through it. I’m amazed how far we have come and hope we can get through so much more in the next 100 years.
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I organised cupcakes for all the women in the office to celebrate our day… and invited the men to join us for cupcakes to celebrate us!
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That’s a great idea and cupcakes are gorgeous I could eat a whole tray now! I should clarify lot’s of stuff was organised by staff at my workplace. But the message of acknowledement needs to be loud and clear from the top at a CEO and corporate level, an official announcement or mention by internal corporate communications, but nada. This is a company that gets involved in countless charities, countless events, celebrates even the mundane. The silence from above was deafening and disheartening for staff (male and female).
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(long-time stalker, first-time poster here) What an incredible and informative video, and timely for me. I have struggled with the feminist label for many years, even been angry at the feminist movement for making my life so much more complicated than it may have been had I not had the opportunity to become educated and embark on a career. Until this week when I interviewed for two jobs. In a female-dominated, ‘nurturing’ industry. At 31 weeks pregnant. No prize for guessing how successful I was. So it occurs to me that my grandmother’s and mother’s generation of feminism had a particular role to play in securing equal pay, changes to rape and divorce laws etc. So now, as a woman who has the ‘choice’ to become educated, the ‘choice’ to embark on a career, and the ‘choice’ to have children, and quite frankly discovering that there is really no choice in how I do all these things at once, I wonder what our generation of feminism will achieve?
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I’m a feminist but saddened by the way the word feminism has been, for quite a while, a pejorative word.
The word does not, and never has been, an anti man way of thinking.
It is a sisterhood not exclusive of males but not inclusive of males.
Feminists understand what is to be born female, raised female and the ramifications of that. Also the joy of being in that exclusive group – FEMALE
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Word!!
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Never realised I was a feminist until I read this article. Thanks!
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Here’s a controversial thought.
Women who don’t want to be labled as feminists but do want to enjoy the hard won benefits that feminists have achieved are very similar to people who refuse to vaccinate their children then rely on herd immunity for protection.
I am a feminist.
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Much the same as those who are anti-union but demand award rates, holidays, overtime etc…
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“feminist” is written across my wrist right now. I ink it on when high school gets boring.
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Absolutely I am a feminist and I am raising four daughters that I hope will one day proudly proclaim themselves to be feminists. We have come a long way but there is much further to go.
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Proud feminist. Absolutely.
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I am a feminist, and it especially comes into focus for me when I look around my workplace. I am a public servant who works casually in a pretty (I think) important but lowish paying role. All my casual co-workers are women. We all have children and we all work as much as is possible in our particular circumstances. We work hard for our money and I believe that if the work world had a different attitude towards women and the flexibility they require, then we could all hold permanent full time jobs no problem.
Also, driving behind one of those Wicked campervans today, on the back it had written “Confuscious say Secretary only becomes permanent when nailed on top of your desk”
I got really angry about it and nearly phoned the company to complain. Then I realised that my thinking had been a bit complacent because maybe the secretary was a man. Either way it is not pleasant but it just shows that I am sexist myself assuming it implied a woman from the get go. Interesting.
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Excellent self-awareness! It’s hard to look inside and see those things.
Mr By has looked for part time roles (he’s my “wife”) but always get’s knocked back because he’s a man. Sadly, gender stereo-types work both ways when you want to work in a non-traditional industry for your gender.
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I think it would be hard for a woman to nail a man on top of a desk, no?
Do women even ‘nail’ men?
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yes
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Sexist and racist.
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Let’s not forget that International Womens Day is also about drawing attention to the plight of our sisters in countries where girls really are treated like second class citizens. Baby girls are left to die in some countries because they are considered worthless. We all – well, most of us – had access to healthcare and education. We don’t live in poverty.
I sponsor a little girl through Plan. Take a look at their ‘Because I am a Girl’ programme, if not to remind you that we have so much and so many have so little.
http://www.plan.org.au
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Feminist. Big time. How can there be anyone who doesn’t want to identify as a person who believes in equality?
I feel like people who say they are not feminists because they don’t hate men and they do shave their legs have been sadly influenced by the ideas of people who are in fact against feminism. The only belief required to be a feminist is that you believe men and women should be equal. That’s it. No other rules. No other requirements.
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This may sound silly, but it depends how ‘feminist’ as defined, as there are many brands…
Yes I believe women should have equal rights, opportunities and privileges as men, universally, and likewise treated with equal respect.
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the best thing about being a feminist is that you get to decide what that label means to you.
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I’ve never thought of it that way Sam..
In that case I am a proud feminist
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When we don’t need a special day to prove we are equal to men, thats when we will actually be equal to men.
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My mum has a great saying..
“We will know we have true equality when there are as many dork women bosses, as there are dork men bosses.”
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Annie Lennox has written a wonderful piece on International Women’s Day … here’s a link
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/fword-must-be-refreshed-and-reclaimed-by-a-new-generation-20110307-1bl4g.html
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I’m a total feminist! I’m not a ‘closeted’ one either as my friend puts it.
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You don’t already have such a badge ?
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If she does I’ll buy it off her! Mia, make some badges!!!!
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Make some yourself.
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Can’t. I’m just a useless girly girl…….
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Say no more !
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Alright, Bradley, let’s get this sorted out. Once and for all, definitively, no messing about, stop beating around the bush. Are you actually my cousin David in disguise?
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Hell yes I’m a feminist and any woman who thinks they aren’t should start rethinking their priorities and their opportunities. If you expect to earn equal pay for equal work, get a bank loan without someone having to go guarantor for you, drive a car, own your own home, go to university, climb the corporate ladder etc, then you’re a feminist and should be proud to say so.
Being a feminist also means being able to stay home with the kids if that’s your choice. It’s all about being able to make choices, whatever those choices are and not being held back simply because you’re a woman.
I know there’s still some way to go, but we won’t get there if people simply snicker when they hear the word feminism or “don’t put their hands up when asked if they are feminists.
I really worry when I hear people say they’re a feminist “BUT”. You either expect to be treated as an equal human being or you don’t.
I think a lot of the freedom and choices we have these days is taken for granted.
Happy International Womens day everyone! It’s the centenary …thank God!
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and to the women/girls out there who still have doubts about feminism and women’s lib, then consider this.
If you have ever thought or said to a man, “I’ll do as I please because you don’t own me”, then congratulations, you are a feminist
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The whole equal pay for equal work thing still needs some work because jobs where women dominate are often paid less than other jobs. You can’t tell me that teaching and nursing are easier or worth less to society than planning or accounting. Feminists also still have a big role in making it ok for the guys to choose to stay home and look after the kids. Why don’t we talk about that more? The typical model seems to be the mum goes back to work so the kids go into care. There’s no reason we can’t push the envelope by saying to new dads we know “so how long are you taking off? A year?” Cos I heard it enough when I had my kids.
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Yes! Yes to it being ok for mum to be career woman and dad to be stay at home dad.
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My dad, a wonderful and intelligent man, has been known to gladly label himself as a feminist. His explanation is simple: “A feminist is someone who believes in equal rights for both of the sexes, nothing more, nothing less”.
If you were to rephrase the question of “are you a feminist?” into “do you believe in equal rights for all?”, then I’d like to imagine that, in the absence of a label to define what is your natural code of ethics/morality, the answers would be mostly positive.
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I didn’t know where else to post this but I came across this quote today and I absolutely LOVE IT, so just wanted to share it with you all
“I’m selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control, and at times hard to handle. But if you can’t handle me at me worst, then you sure as
hell don’t deserve me at my best”
- Marilyn Monroe
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I think the reason that people shy away from announcing themselves as a feminist is due to society’s negative connotations with the word ‘feminism’. I’m very open about my feminist beliefs, yet people often ask me, “So, are you actually a feminist? Like, an real feminist?”, as if being a feminist is something horrible.
I try to explain that being a feminist does not mean that I don’t shave my legs, or that I’m a lesbian, or that I don’t wear a bra. None of those things are bad things, but being a feminist does not automatically make me fit the ‘feminist stereotype’.
I try to explain that feminism is quite simple, really. It simply means that you consider men and women as equal. Radical, isn’t it?!
There is also the idea still present in our society that feminists hate men. Obviously, any self-proclaimed ‘feminist’ who hates men clearly does not understand the point of feminism: equality. Not that one gender is better than the other, not that women are superior beings, but that men and women are utterly and totally equal, and should thus have equal rights.
It’s as simple as that.
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I think women shy away from labelleing themselves ‘feminists’ because of the ugly connotations that word seems to carry.
I once got a tad heated when this guy/misogynist referred to feminists as “bull-dykes who don’t shave their pits.” I obviously told him where to shove it and he then proceeded to laugh and call me a dyke. He was a lovely chap.
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grrrrrr
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Ha i got called a pseudo lesbian because i have cut my hair shortish some people just like to use labels so they don’t have to think
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If you’ll excuse me, I simply must stop hanging out on this forum and go exercise my right to attend university. Ahhhhhhhhhhh….
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Dear gals, a happy International Women’s Day to you all
I was at an IWD event last night where the radiant Kavisha Mazzella performed a set for us, including the women’s anthem, commissioned in 2008 for the centenary of women’s suffrage in Victoria. I had forgotten how beautiful and rousing this song is – so here is the link to remind you. Turn it up loud in your offices or get the CD and wind your car windows down!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HpCmdLRuF8&feature=related
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I think Kathleen Rowe put it best: the current generation is the generation of “I’m not a feminist, but.” They love the ideals, hate the label. I’d wager that’s why nobody in that class put their hand up.
I understand rejecting the label – though as I recall, the last time I said this on here, I got totally lambasted. I don’t want to be stereotyped as hating men, I don’t want to be associated with the fanatics who refuse to shave their armpits and look down on housewives. Sure, I believe women should be treated as equals, but is that really what people believe “feminist” to connote? That alone? Is that ALL that feminism means, and is that the picture that comes into your head? I’m not sure, and thus, I’m avoiding the label and all associated accusations for now.
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Yes, for me feminism is ALL about striving for equality – for females of all ages and all cultures, for all of their lifetimes. I’m a feminist but not an optimist.
(And women who don’t shave their armpits are not fanatics. They’re just women whose preference is not to shave their armpits.)
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I haven’t shaved my legs for months. It isn’t anything political. I’m just really lazy.
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Also, you can’t reach over your belly.
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I haven’t been bothered to try, but I have a feeling I might be able to, actually. I really need to get someone to take a pic of me in my knocked up state so you can all have a look. My fundal measures are bang on for growth and weeks, but compared to other chicks in my pre-natal classes, I’m heaps less preggo looking!
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Hooray for a bang-on fundus! I managed to paint my toenails at about 6 months, but with lots of grunting.
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Just take a photo of yourself in front of the mirror like the younger ones (& Demi Moore) on facebook! Lol
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Can I just bring up a point, because it’s been said here a few times…
Really, really, what is so ‘wrong’ with not shaving your pits…? I mean I shave mine, but I don’t really know why. And why is this one thing we always bring up about feminists?
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I think in the early days some women did refrain from shaving their armpits as a way of saying, ‘hey, men don’t have to, I don’t have to’.
Sometimes I shave, sometimes I don’t. But definitely agree, people need to get off the armpit stuff. Shave, don’t shave, either way you can be a feminist
I had one bloke tell me once that feminists ‘grow’ their armpit hair. I corrected him on two points:
1) not all feminists do
2) do men ‘grow’ their armpit hair? No. They simply don’t shave it off. Same for women who choose not to
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But men shave their faces every day which I would hate to do!
I thought it was more a hippie thing not to shave!
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I’ve always found it incredible that something very few women throughout history ever thought about prior to the 1920′s, that is shaving your armpits, could become such a must over the next 40-50 years that not doing so was considered radical, an affront to femininity.
Just shows the power of the advertising industry I guess.
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If people don’t want to, that’s fine by me – I more meant the ones who are really blatant about it, and tell you that because you shave yours, you’re oppressing women etc (yes, I have been told that by a hyper-feminist friend).
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Scary! I’ve heard that a lot of European women don’t shave their armpits. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.
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Yeah, I can definitely remember watching stuff at the Olympics where the European female competitors had hairy underarms. Doesn’t seem to happen as much these days.
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Women earn 10% of the world’s wealth by doing 2/3 of the world’s work. Isn’t that because most of them are in low paying jobs (in which a male would earn the same rate) which require less stress and hours so they can be home more for their children? I’m sure that if these women wanted more high paying jobs, they would go for it, but most women have different priorities to men. What has feminism got to do with that?
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It’s important to remember that in many parts of the world women do not have the same opportunities they do in Australia, for example, they can’t go to university/get a bank loan/work in particular fields – feminism aims to get women the same opportunities men have in those countries.
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Did you watch the video? What choices do you think the young woman from the Philippines had when she decided to leave school and work in a factor with her mother so she could contribute to the cost of raising her younger siblings?
I am sure this women would have loved the opportunity to go to university, study law or medicine or business so she could earn more. I also think she could deal with the stress and the hours. She might choose not to have children, or to have them and continue with her profession, or to be a stay at home mum.
But that choice was not available to her.
That’s what feminism has got to do with it!
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No haven’t watched the video, am madly hopping on here between netball pickup and making gravy (not from scratch – using Gravox) for the roast lamb.
Why did she HAVE to leave school to look after siblings? Isn’t that her mother’s fault for not encouraging her in her own life? Look, I’ve got no idea what goes on in the Phillipines and I feel sorry for that young woman. But I think women in those countries need to fight for more than feminism – how about economic policies for a start – that would help families as a whole. But I think I’m getting into a whole different topic here.
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I think it would be really great for you to watch the video when you get a chance
it is really good and it might help you understand the real lack of choice and opportunity many women face around the world.
I know i would find it hard to watch my mother struggle and my siblings go hungry while i continued with my schooling. I would probably do all i could to make sure they were looked after and had food on the table.
Feminism is about women fighting for better economic policy and support. For example, government benefits for single mothers would ensure the girl from the video could stay at school. Government loan systems could ensure she could attend university. These policies help all people regardless of gender, but they are still certainly a feminist issue.
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It’s also because there is a barrier to women getting into the top jobs. I am a lawyer and in a previous job was told by several (male) bosses that women shouldn’t be lawyers. Guess all my years of study are a waste then!
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And it isn’t only top jobs – I went for an interview with one of Australia’s largest publishing houses for an entry-level role. I was told that despite having no doubt that I would do a great job in the role they would prefer to hire a man as the manager prefers to work with men.
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Whoah. That’s shocking.
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Oh, Me & Anon for this – how awful. I feel for you both. Bet you both just wanted to scream from the rooftops.
Shit, potatoes burning & gravy boiling over!
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I study law and one of the girls I study with has a taxation lawyer as a father. She is doing an LLB/Econ dual.
He forced her to rewrite an essay about the way women are marginalised because they “just aren’t”.
She is also planning on being an accountant and never practicing law because “women have no place being lawyers” – so her dad says.
The sad thing is she doesn’t fight it at all. She believes every word he says.
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Holy shit, Shannon! Is she even doing the course because she wants to, or cause her Dad told her to? What a control freak arsehole. Big rebellion coming there, I’d say!
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From what we’ve managed to get out of her, she isn’t studying it totally willingly.
I’m really hoping the rebellion comes, but she has a very submissive personality. There was that brief, shining moment when she did that essay draft in our first year…I really hope that moment makes a comeback, for her sake.
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That is really sad. Be good if you guys could get her into something totally away from her old man. Or would she need to ask permission?
My Mum had a very submissive personality for a long time, as did my best mate at school. They both snapped. I just hope this chick does sooner rather than later. They both used to drive me bonkers- “What do you want to do?” “Oh, I don’t mind, whatever you think”. Arrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhhhh! I used top make them make decisions!
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Oh really? My low paying job and those of my colleagues “require less stress and hours so they can be home more for their children”, how silly of me not to have realised this. I work in the Community Services Sector, an industry dominated by women and I can tell you my role is at times incredibly stressful, with long hours and high levels of responsibility. These are not *nice* jobs for the girls to make a bit of extra pocket money and fill in a few hours, they are jobs that are underpaid and undervalued. Community Service workers provide professional services to some of our society’s most vulnerable members.
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I don’t think people are getting my point. I meant women earn less money because more of them work part time or don’t want to commute 2 hours each day to work in the city, so they take lower paying jobs around their homes, jobs that men would earn the same rate to do.
I may be simplifying things here but if you believe you are underpaid and undervalued why don’t you get another job? You never know,they may offer you a raise to stay.
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I consider myself a feminist and am more than
grateful to every woman who made my conditions of life possible today
* part time worker
* out lesbian
* mother through ivf and donor sperm through the public health system.
( i am grateful to the men who made these possible too but today is the day to thank women)
On another note in 1975 on IWD people campaigned about ‘dressing for comfort not for style’ I’d like to see a return to that!
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I dont know Annie, those high pants look a bit uncomfortable to me!
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To the women who say they are not feminists I would ask them:
- do you want your daughters to have opportunities in life like your sons?
- do you want your daughter to be able to participate in any aspect of life that she chooses (politics, armed forces, home duties, SAHM, Uni lecturer, Chief Executive, lawyer, economist, plumber, cashier, accountant, software developer)?
- do you value being able to vote, drink in a pub if you choose, sign contracts without your husband’s co-signature, work in the public service when you are married etc?
If you answer yes to any of the above then you are a feminist!
In 1964 when my mother got married she had to resign from her public service job as a secretary!! The bank would no more have lent her money or given her a credit card in her own right (ie without my father’s signature) than fly her to the moon. That’s only 45 years ago.
This is what feminism has given us.
Yes Eva Cox can focus on the negatives (and there is still a way to go and we can’t be complacent), but I believe that we’ve ‘come along way baby’ since the 1960s/70s when this wave of feminism started. (Head of Westpac Bank, Prime Minister of Australia, Premiers of NSW, QLD, Tasmania for a start).
Happy International Women’s Day everyone!!!
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Thank you.
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Not everyone has access to the above list of opportunities you have mentioned, and it has nothing at all to do with their gender. Many men miss out on the items you have listed. As a mother of four sons I am concerned that everyone has an opportunity to reach their potential. In reality it is unlikely, for many reasons, that will ever be an achievable dream.
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True in some ways. But your sons won’t be held back because they are men.
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Exactly Lily Pond.
Anonymous – kids in Australia have the best opportunities in the world! I want my daughter to have the same opportunities as my two sons and not be held back because she is female.
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My mum tells me that when my parents went to buy their first home (in 1967) her income wasnt considered in mortgage calculations because they assumed she would have babies and leave work.
She also remembers women she worked with being sent home for being pregnant and being told not to come back! This wasnt some dodgy backyard business, it was a large company that is today still a household name!
Can you imagine?
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You don’t even need to go back as far as 1967. There was this letter in the SMH last month:
“Whenever I see a newspaper article casting doubt on any aspect of feminism I get angry. It was only 28 years ago, as a young single girl with a long savings history and a 60 per cent deposit on a fibro (saved from working since I was 15), that I fronted the Commonwealth Bank to apply for a $22,000 loan.
“I was promptly told by the male bank manager to come back when I had a husband. When I asked to close my account with a bank cheque made out for the full amount, they were reluctant to give so much money to a young single woman and made me wait to be interviewed by the bank manager.
“To the young women of today – never take anything for granted.”
http://www.smh.com.au/national/letters/reverberations-of-abbotts-undignified-silence-20110210-1aohb.html
That’s just 28 years ago – not 128 years.
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I still can’t get approved for a credit card on my own merits because I’m a part time worker. The last time I tried the woman at the bank said they’d approve one for my husband and asked to speak to him. I hung up. That was less than a decade ago.
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I fail to see what this has to do with you being a woman, wouldn’t it be because you work part time and probably don’t make enough money? I am a woman, not married, work full time and have had a credit card for years.
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The banks will approve credit cards for uni students. Hardly full time workers!
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I consider myself a feminist. I lost my IWD badge this year, but I wore purple, green and white ribbons in my hair to school. Not a single person mentioned them, and the few I mentioned the day to had no idea what I was talking about.
I think feminism is so ‘out of fashion’ now because it’s out of sight, out of mind. People my age don’t see the inequality now. 100 years ago, it was obvious. Women couldn’t work, couldn’t vote, couldn’t smoke or go to bars. Now, we seem outwardly feminist. Its only when you see the statistics that you realise that we still have so far to go. It’s when you hear parents say “stop being such a girl” to a little boy that’s crying, or telling them to “man up”. Teenagers telling each other to “grow a pair”, or saying to girls “you’re such a bloke” in a derogatory way. Even teachers saying “we need a strong boy to lift that table up” is a sign of our ingrained sexism.
I say that stuff sometimes too, but I think it’s important to not limit or stereotype. I think it’s important that someone realises the lowered status of women these days, or we’ll end up in a cycle, and 100 years from now we’ll have just gone backward. I think it’s a shame that these days people are ashamed to call themselves feminist.
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Well done! We are proud of you. The stereotyping done in schools by so called educated professionals (teachers) is scandalous.
Boys are this, girls are that.
Um, no they’re not.
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Whoa there-I’m one of those ‘so-called educational professionals’ and I’m about as feminist as you can get. I’m probably way over reacting, but I just wanted to clear that up
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Fantastic comment, Teen!
You are a talented writer.
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Oh wow! I forgot it was International Womens Day until I read this. My daily post addressed an issue which is very relevant. http://deepfriedfruit.blogspot.com/2011/03/day-518.html I think I might be a feminist. Yeah, I think so ….