What If I Told You That I'm a Feminist....

Cuz I am.


I will be one of the first to raise my hand and say that there is a terrible war on women. It may not be as much of an outwardly cruel war as in some countries--but our culture has been slowly gripping its hands upon our necks, choking the life out of us. It's always a slow death--just like the frog in the hot water--slowly creeping up the temperature until it is boiled alive without even knowing it.

I came across this article at my internship today, it's a review from Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona of the movie Obvious Child, a comedy about abortion.

Here's the link to read the entire conversation: http://advocatesaz.org/2014/06/27/movie-night-a-conversation-about-obvious-child/


Here's a snippet from the article:

"...However, while I think many people are uncomfortable with women doing “gross-out” comedies, I’m also interested in portrayals of women as fully embodied human beings. It flies in the face of this very old-fashioned conception of women as pure and innocent, and men as brutes. It’s almost an expression of manliness to belch, to sweat profusely — whereas women must conceal these bodily functions at all costs.

Matt: It’s refreshing, too, that Max was so comfortable with Donna’s indiscretion in that regard. He went along with it when she joked about wearing diapers, and the subject of farts was definitely not off limits to them. A lot of this movie is about Donna’s freedom over her own body — not just her decision to have an abortion, but also her openness about her bodily functions, no matter what gender expectations that defies.

Anna: Yeah, it was refreshing to see Donna talk so frankly about the female body and bodily functions — pubic hair, menstruation, flatulence, diarrhea, vaginal secretions, and everything in between. Acknowledging that women have bodily functions, and therefore bodies, is the first step to recognizing that they are entitled to autonomy over their bodies. I’m not normally a fan of gross-out comedies, but I like that a film like this one subverts the idea that women don’t have normal human bodies with full functionality — it portrays them in all their supposedly “gross” glory."

I'm a bit disappointed that these are the traits that modern feminists are desiring. I don't want to be a brute. I don't appreciate when men act like cavemen--how about instead of lowering the standard for women, we raise the standard for all? (and no- I am NOT a man hater and I don't know many men who act this way!) Freedom doesn't mean irresponsible or negligent. Freedom actually does equal responsibility.  The reason children do not have the freedoms that adults do is because they have not developed the mental capacity to make informed judgments. Once a teenager proves his or herself responsible by making rightful decisions he or she is given more freedom and thus, more responsibility.I am fully aware of my body--but I do not have to flaunt its "gross" glory. We expect children to behave in this manner--not adults. I appreciate insightful, encouraging, and provoking conversation--not crude and crass language. It seems that the war on women is actually perpetuated by--women..

There's also the thing that men who have one night stands or friends with benefits are players while girls who participate in such are well, not nice terms. So, we need to change that. It has been changing--casual sex is now the norm. Sex is just a bodily function that can be exchanged between two people--no strings attached. Buuuutttt, it seems to not be working out that way. We as women do not want to be sexualized--but if we are constantly wanting this sexual freedom and casual sex is expected--why would we expect to NOT be sexualized?

The "freedom" we desire is not by living a free for all without bounds and restrictions. Without rules we are unable to communicate-- there would be no language or grammar or structure. Without rules we are unable to live safely-- there would be no traffic guidelines, no FDA requirements (which is debatable...) no order. Without rules we are unable to make a living--no enforcement of being paid, no reason to show up to your job, and therefore--nobody works. Without rules we wouldn't exist--because EVERYTHING follows a pattern and rules--why would the function of society be different?

So maybe you want to expose all of your body in its "gross glory"--fine. But, real freedom is the ability to have restraint and self control. Real freedom is learning, growing, and realizing that your ideas and actions have consequences. 

So yes, I am a feminist. A different kind of feminist. I strongly believe that man and woman are both vital, not just for biological reasons but for the world to function. I believe we have different roles and are wired distinctly differently (hello testosterone & estrogen). I am sick of the war on women that is attempting to remove my womanhood, my femininity, and devalue my sexuality. I say we as ladies step up and stop this nonsense by valuing and demanding respect for our womanhood.