During freshman orientation, they warned us to keep everything. The university wasn’t trying to create a generation of packrats; they just wanted us to be prepared for that inevitable last assignment: a senior portfolio.
Four years later, as I waded through stacks of papers and essays, I picked out my favorite pieces of writing and research. As I began to list and describe them, I noticed a theme.
Children’s Literature & Gender (PSYC 332: Child Development)
Gender Communication (COMM 458: Rhetoric of Women’s Rights)
Women and Authority (ENG 314: Composition II)
It seems I’m a bit of a feminist.
Shhh. Don’t tell my conservative friends. Because, honestly, things haven’t changed. I believe all men and women were created equal. Different, yes. But equal.
Do I think that women and men are wired differently and often gifted differently? Sure. No, not “sure.” Absolutely.
But do I think some women have skills and gifts typically attributed to men? Yep. (And vice versa. I happen to know some truly compassionate, sensitive men, as well as men who are crafty and creative and better cooks than me.)
Fine. This is all well and good. (To me. Maybe not to you. I know.) But what does it mean, really? I mean, “feminist” is definitely a hot-button word, but in reality, it has different meanings for different people.
So, what am I saying here?
Am I saying that a woman could be president or – here’s the real kicker – a pastor? Yes, I am. I’m not saying that I would ever vote for a female political candidate just because she’s a woman. But if a woman is qualified and believes in (and votes for) the same things I do, then yes, I will support her.
And as someone with the spiritual gifts of teaching and leadership, I get all riled up every time the “women as leaders in the church” issue comes up. I’ve never belonged to a church with a woman pastor (we’ve been members of a Baptist church for 7 years, so you know that’s out of the question), but I wouldn’t be opposed to it. I might even like it.
Uh-huh. I said it.
Next question: Am I saying that women should make as much money as men? Yes. When they’re in the same position and doing the same work with the same level of proficiency, women should absolutely earn as much as men.
I also think there are many reasons why women, statistically speaking, don’t earn as much as men, including our education system, our society’s value for various industries, and most importantly, life balance choices.
Oooh, life balance. You know what comes next, right?
Am I saying that women should work outside the home if they want to, even if they have young kids at home? Yep. I sure am. I do (work outside the home). And I think it’s a fine decision. However, I think that women should stay home or work from home, if that’s what they want.
Basically, I think each woman should be allowed to choose what’s best for her and her family. Without judgment.
I think that covers the main issues involved in making a bold statement like, “I think I might be kind of a feminist. Sort of.”
For those of you concerned, I have never burned a bra, I shave my legs when they’ll be seen in public, I know how to cook, clean and sew on a button, and I’ll teach my children to do those things as well.
But I’m still sporting a pretty big girl power badge. And I’m okay with that.
As I mentioned last week, I’ve been afraid to be honest about this topic, even though this was one of the first things that popped into my head when I developed the More Than Defined series.
So, as you comment or even just reflect on what I’ve written here, please be kind. I’d love to answer any questions you have or discuss this topic with you. As long as we can all speak with respect, I think we’ll be just fine.
Here goes: Are you a feminist? Or do you consider that an “f” word?
Don’t forget to read my other More Than Defined posts, too. Though I’d planned to continue this series throughout the summer, I’ve changed my mind. (Another woman’s right, right?) Next week will be the last installment of this series, and I’ll include a link-up for anyone who wants to share a little bit of how – or why – they’re defined.
This post will be linked to Elizabeth Esther’s Saturday Evening Blog Post.
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: “Me? I’m scared of everything. I’m scared of what I saw, I’m scared of what I did, of who I am, and most of all I’m scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I’m with you.”}
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