Feminism

I've been tagged on a meme by Ms Dudman where I'm asked for "5 things feminism has done for me".

During the day, between the performance of various domestic duties, hospital and care home visits, I've been thinking about this, on and off.  I realise that I entered the world, entered the education system, entered the working world with many opportunities that I took for granted then.  Had I been born just 30 years earlier, things would have been incredibly different.

So here are the "5 things" that sprung to mind in my case:

1. The ability to have choices and to make my own decisions about my way in life and what I choose to do.
2. Feminism has also endowed me with the right to reject feminism, or some of its values, should I choose to do so.
3. To be lucky to avoid the tags of "still on the shelf" or "spinster"; expressions that are now consigned to history it seems.  Being single after 40 is no longer considered "odd" or a failure.  With so many "partners" out there and so many types of relationships being pursued, singledom does not necessarily mean the next stage up from being a nun.  And, yippee, I've avoided the labels I dreaded!
4. Feminism has brought me some interesting reading over the years and highlighted issues removing my naivety.  One of these was "Scream Quietly or the Neighbours will Hear", a book about domestic violence from Erin Pizzey who set up the first women's refuge in London in the 1970s.  Ditto for "The Change: Women, Ageing and the Menopause" where Germaine Greer sank her teeth into gynaecologists who perform unnecessary hysterectomies, amongst other things.  (An issue which the UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has very recently commented upon.  Greer's book was published in 1992 by the way...)
5. To be able to do things alone, such as buy my own home and have my own mortgage.

Now it seems that I ought to tag three others.  As more current feminism has considerably changed the way we live over the last 50 years, starting with a battle of the sexes, the rise of "woman" and now a call for redress of the balance from some, I think it would be interesting to get the male perspective.  Thus I'm tagging Andrew Taylor, John Baker and Skint Writer.  It would be so good to hear your thoughts...

Comments

[crimeficreader]

Thanks again for dropping by, Patry.
Personally, I love the freedom of number 2 most of all. It defines me and this age!

[patry]

I like your number 2. That's real freedom, if you ask me.

[Peter]

She's one of the new breed of fiery U.S. media conservatives who make millions by railing against the liberal media.

[crimeficreader]

Peter,
It's this meme and its responses and comments that have made me aware of Ann Coulter. I can honestly say I'd not heard of her before. Something for research for me... Perhaps this is because I am in the UK. Her Wikipaedia entry more than suggests she's very noted in the US.
Best and thanks for commenting and enlightening me, yet again,
CFR

[Peter]

I'll promise to make any future posts late at night, when sensitive souls should be safely in bed!

I do think Ann Coulter deserved the rebuke, though. One does not have to be a feminist to be sickened by her effrontery at shooting down the very movement that has enabled her to claim the fame, success, money and platform that she has now.

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Detectives Without Borders
"Because Murder is More Fun Away from Home"
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/

[crimeficreader]

Thanks all for your comments, less so for Peter who introduced some risque terms on here. ;-) This is a crime fiction blog and not "Belle de Jour's", Peter! But I'll let you off in the name of feminism! LOL!

[May]

Important topic. Interesting post.

[Debi]

I can't get the image of Germaine Greer sinking her teeth into gynaecologists out of my head!

[Peter]

The egregious Ann Coulter was quoted as saying that feminism had given the world sex toys and adultery, among other curses. (I will leave it to the reader to decide whether the first, at least, is really so terrible.)

An infuriated blogger pointed out that feminism had also given Ann Coulter the right and the power to be single, sexually active and outspoken, and still call herself a good Christian. I wish I could remember who had made this wonderful observation. I would certainly give credit where it was due.

Peter

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Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder is More Fun Away From Home"
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/

[twitches]

Ah yes, the "spinster" label. Glad you pointed that one out. I also memed one male, to get a different perspective. Good to see someone else had the same idea!

[crimeficreader]

Thanks both.
Feminism changed the dynamics of relationships from both sides of the equation. I'm not even suggesting that this applies to anyone I've tagged with this meme, but I have read authors saying that their partner supported them when they started to write. If the author's male and the partner female, could that have happened 50 years ago?
I hope all I've tagged will answer and I'm sure they'll have very interesting responses.

[Clare]

Yes, it's an excellent idea. I hope they respond - I'd love to know what they think.

[Lee]

I'm really pleased that you're tagging men.