Sociology Now, Census Update

foremothers; they often feel there is no need for feminism because they can now do

anything they want. Their motto could be, “Girls rule!”

There are also men who are opposed to gender inequality. These “profeminist”

men believe not only that gender equality is a good thing for women but that it

would also transform masculinity in ways that would be positive for men, enabling

them to be more involved fathers, better friends, more emotionally responsive part-

ners and husbands.

Feminism

The political position of many young women today, however, is “I’m not a feminist,

but... .” Most young women subscribe to virtually all the tenets of feminism—equal

pay for equal work, right to control their bodies and sexuality—but they believe that

they are already equal to men and therefore don’t need a political movement to

liberate them.

But what is feminism as a way of thinking and seeing the world? Feminismrests

on two principles—one empirical observation and one moral stand. The empirical

observation is that women and men are not equal; that is, that gender inequality still

defines our society. The moral stand is that this inequality is wrong and should change.

That’s really all it takes. A feminist once said that “Feminism is the radical idea that

women are people” (Kramarae and Treichler, 1997). Or, as Rebecca West famously

remarked, “I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I

only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differ-

entiate me from a doormat.” One can, of course, be a feminist and like men, want to

look attractive, and shave one’s underarms and wear mascara. Or not. Feminism is

about women’s choices and the ability to choose to do what they want to do with no

greater obstacles than the limits of their abilities.

There are several major strands of feminism. Each emphasizes a different aspect

of gender inequality and prescribes a different political formula for equality.

308 CHAPTER 9SEX AND GENDER

Third-wave feminists are
diverse in terms of age, race,
and even gender. Just look at
the turnout at the World
March of Women in 2000. 3