Posted by Sara on January 28, 2004 at 19:46:01:
In Reply to: Amy Richards and Jennifer Baumgardner posted by Donna on January 12, 2004 at 07:21:47:
I went to a reading of the Manifesta that the authors did at my school, and I was very impressed, so I read the book. They were my introduction to "organized" feminism, by which I mean, not just "girl power!" type stuff, but actual goals and philosophies. I do not think the movement is turning in on itself, I think that some people don't understand that feminists want the right for women to choose their path in life, not have it spelled out for them just because they are women. This is mostly a fight for equal power in the workplace, because that is an area traditionally denied to women, but it also means that if a woman wants to stay at home, then she should stay at home. If she wants to have kids and a career, it shouldn't have to be a "want it all situation" because men aren't accused of "wanting it all" when they get married and have children and their careers. My point is this- feminists just want women to choose for themselves. They aren't saying that working is the only way for women, and they aren't saying that staying home is wrong. They just want women to be able to decide, and not have this decided for them.