When I think about what women's movements I most identify with is radical feminism. This is the one that is always in the forefront of my mind because without it, women would not have the rights and priveledges they enjoy today. I understand that the preceeding women's rights movement allowed women more rights politically and socially, the right to vote etc, but I believe that without the radical feminism of the 1960's women would still be much more opressed. The 60's movement allowed people of all ages and all economic classes to begin to see the disparity between the expectations society placed on men vs. the expectations placed on women. Men were seen as more powerful, more stable and ultimately deemed better fit to be in control of a family or a corporation. Women, in contrast were seen as better left in the shadows as support staff to the various men in their lives. Like Bette Midler's song "The Wind Beneath My Wings," women were the wind and the men always ended up with the wings. It was only after the radical feminists began to question the social mores that contributed to the oppression of all women, that women were encouraged and even expected to find their own voices and use them to stand up for themselves. Obviously this is not a process that transforms our ideas of gender overnight, but slowly like a river through sandstone, the opression of women is worn down and hollows out a space for us to exist in and flourish in.
The men's movement that I most identify with is hard to say since I am a woman, but if I had to choose one it would have to be either The White Ribbon Campaign or Mentors in Violence Prevention. Both of these groups focus on men's violence and the way men enact violence against women in their lives. I was married to an abusive man for 8 years and so I am well acquainted with the violent socialization of men in our society. During my relationship with my ex-husband the abuse started as small things, such as grabbing my arm too hard, or holding me down and progressed over the span of a few years to black eyes and broken bones. It became clear that he erroneously believed himself to be the "leader" in any given situation and for me to "follow" his commands. He clearly took the position that the man is always to be in control of the woman, and if she doesn't submit willingly then he would do whatever it took to persuade her to do as he asked. I wish I had known these groups existed then, maybe I could have done something to show him that violence is not the answer. As I read about both of these movements I had to stop and think about how the "normative socialization" of men leads to this violent reaction in men exponentially more than it does in women. The examples they listed helped me to understand how it is a small jump from the rough-housing and masculine world of boyhood to the violence and need for control that men exibit in their adult lives. While little girls play with dolls and take care of each other, boys are taught to be more individually centered and focused on their own ideas. I don't know what the answer is, but I do think its great that men are stepping up and showing their peers that what some may think is appropriate treatment of women, may need some revising. It is nice to know that there are men out there who take responsibility and are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in, which is equality and non-oppressive relationships with women.
As far as what impact these movements have on me and what I will do because of them, I guess that is yet to be seen. Obviously the radical feminism already has a great deal of impact in my life today because I am in college pursuing a degree that may not have been available to me had it not been for the ideas that the original women's rights movement ushered in. I am happy to know that there are those women out there who are pursuing public office and are equals in the field of education, politics and all forms of leadership. I am equally pleased to learn that there are men's movements that are concerned with the well-being of women and that are making strides to educate and inform the male population that violence is not the way to solve your problems with women. The more men that know that the better for all people in society. I am glad to be learning about all of the movements, many of which I had never even heard of and to know that all of these groups symbolize the growing equality between males and females in our society today.
No comments:
Post a Comment