Feminist, Feminist, On The Wall, Who's The Most Damagingly Sexist Of All?
I call it "eggshell feminism" -- feminists' demand that women be treated like eggshells instead of equals.
At Psychology Today, Clay Routledge interviews Christina Hoff Sommers:
Clay: As I am sure you know, psychologists have distinguished two forms of sexism: hostile and benevolent. Hostile is pretty straightforward. These are explicit beliefs such as women are weak, manipulative, less intelligent than men, etc. Benevolent sexism is the idea that women need to be cherished and protected, that they are innocent, precious, and perhaps childlike. Interestingly, it seems like some of the ideas being advanced by modern feminists and perhaps other groups as well ironically promote benevolent sexism. That is, safe spaces, trigger warnings, and the notion that women are overly influenced by cultural pressures and thus are not freely choosing their majors and career fields seems like benevolent sexism, like women are being viewed as fragile and childlike. Do you think modern feminism or at least some aspects of it promote benevolent sexism? If so, why?Christina: Yes, I call it fainting-couch feminism, a la the delicate Victorian ladies who retreated to an elegant chaise when overcome with emotion. As an equality feminist from the 1970s, I am dismayed by this new craze. Women are not children. We are not fragile little birds who can't cope with jokes, works of art, or controversial speakers. Trigger warnings and safe spaces are an infantilizing setback for feminism--and for women.
Watch Sommers' "Factual Feminist" video series here.
Sommers' books on Amazon.
via @SteveStuWill
It's a part of what I call have-it-both-ways feminism, or pedestal feminism. It's women who want equal rights, but also want to retain the privileges and deference traditionally granted to women. Put another way, it's the privilege of getting back up on the pedestal when it suits them.
I find it kind of interesting that Sommers still refers to herself as a feminist. I understand why, but I'm sure that Sommers herself realizes that she is way outside of the mainstream of feminism as it exists today. There are ones like Sommers who want to claw back the word "feminist" from the postmodernists. I get it, but I don't think they are going to succeed. That ship has sailed.
Cousin Dave at September 7, 2016 6:36 AM
Only secondarily, and as an incidental artifact. What is primary? Collectivism. So, more fundamentally, women are being told they need the guidance and protection of government and institutions, enabled and enforced through a tribal cohesiveness that encompasses the cultural, social and political.
This is because feminism is at its core a vehicle for Marxism. Scratch away a little pink and you'll quickly hit red.
Lastango at September 7, 2016 7:47 AM
Maybe we should train girls the way Sparta trained their boys.
Sure, 10 years away from home, being trained in various forms of armed and unarmed combat would probably suck, but the ones who survived would be as tough as nails, probably tell most bawdy jokes, and be able to drink some of the boys under the table.
Wait...too much equality?
I R A Darth Aggie at September 7, 2016 10:15 AM
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