Feminism in the Twenty First Century

The word 'feminsim' throws up some pretty negative connotations. When asked what it means to them, the majority of people would struggle to come up with something that didn't include 'bra burning' and 'men hating.' While the initial waves of feminism incorporated some aspects of this, today, feminism has changed considerably.

I recently read a (poor) article written by a fellow student, which cited implicitly that feminism is about respecting yourself, and certainly DIDN'T include pole dancing. Yes, it left me confused as well. Just because a woman chooses to pole dance doesn't mean she can't have feministic principles instilled into her. Th article left me feeling angry, and thinking that the article was written by a bit of a stiff. But it did get me thinking about what feminism really means today.

Of course, the basic principles of feminism are still there. Equality between the sexes and all that. But today, for me at least, feminism means much more.

A couple of years ago, I was introduced to the works of Angela Carter, in particular, 'The Bloody Chamber.' The book still resonates with me now. It was written in the seventies, during the second wave of feminism. Basically Carter implies that women can be in control, that we are allowed to take chances and make mistakes. She suggests that relationships between the sexes can be difficult. She takes the fundamental fairy stories we all grew up with, and twists them to give a feminist perspective.

Her stories are not misandrist, nor are they tales of caution. One of the stories that stands out to me maintains that instead of doing as you are told, as in typical fairy stories that were traditionally told to children to instill them with fear so as to chastise them into good behaviour, if you were to do what is not expected, to break away from the norm, you may find satisfaction and fulfillment.

Without going into detail of the book too much, I believe that it is, for me at least, a modern day feminist guide.

Equality is no longer as big of an issue as it used to be. More and more women are now the top dogs in the workplace. And still feminists want more. I think the power that women now have transcends the office, and fits neatly into her social life. Serial dating is now commonplace, and today, woman think nothing of waiting until they feel ready to settle down, if ever they do. I think the majority of men now accept women as equals. I am by no means saying that this country is in a state of complete equal status between the genders; that would be foolish to assume but the rise in the amount of men staying at home with the children while their parents work is a big testament to how far we, as women, have come. And yet I still don't think this is what feminism means in the twenty first century.

For me, the article written by the insecure student is so close to he real meaning of modern day feminism, and yet she has no idea. I believe that feminism has transcended from equality between the sexes to equality within the sex. Far more woman are accepted as equal by men. But women seem hard pushed to accept their fellow women in the same way. Take Stiff-Girl's (rather obscure) example. Her article suggests that pole dancing can never really be something a feminist does because it incorporates a strong aspect of sexuality. And sexuality has no place in feminism, which of course is bollocks. Sexuality plays a huge a huge part in feminism. It seems to me that we are too busy scrutinising other women, and being jealous of them. We are jealous of success, instead of being inspired by it. To me, feminism today means an acceptance of women, not just by men, but also by women. It means taking chances and creating your own future, as opposed to letting it be decided for you. It means becoming all that you aspire to be. I'm inspired by Angela Carter, who to me, encapsulates the real principles of feminism in 'The Bloody Chamber.'

If you're not sure what I mean, buy a copy of  'The Bloody Chamber' and give it a good read. Reading that book was a monumental time for me, it assures you that its OK to be in control, and to lose it occasionally.