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The Forum > Article Comments > Decline in feminism? The backlash myth > Comments

Decline in feminism? The backlash myth : Comments

By Paul Norton, published 19/8/2005

Paul Norton argues there is no evidence to support popular claims that Australians are becoming more conservative.

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Hmmm... yes an interesting article. I am thinking that "conservatism" is becoming harder to define these days. Perhaps many more young people are wanting to "get ahead", because the world has changed since the 70's. We keep hearing that there will be no pension by the time the under 45's (or whatever) reach retirement age. The dole queues, it seems, are being scrutinised more harsly due to data matching and the like. Whilst they are busy "getting ahead", and doing and thinking all those things still considered "conservative", who's to say where individual (or collective) young people's views on particular social and political issues lie? It seems one can have a "traditional" or "conservative" stance on some social issues, but not on others. I dare say many young women today have taken on many values considered "feminist", but have rejected some of the other core values carried by the 1970's feminists. Indeed there are different types of 'feminism' anyway, but perhaps the boundaries between thes are becoming more blurred. Perhaps many young women have their own values, and it stops there. Young women may not see themselves as feminists, socialists, marxists, conservatives, liberals (small 'l' variety), or what ever. Not everyone wishes to limit their sphere of thought to spefically defined labels. What does "conservatism" really mean anyway? Personally I don't think todays society allows for such rigidity, and argubly it may have never have had anyway. Of course I have no stats to back me up, just a thought really. Cheers!
Posted by silent minority, Friday, 19 August 2005 3:59:44 PM
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Dear Paul

Thank you very much for your article - thought provoking to say the least.

As a "baby boomer" at the ripe old age of 30 I first studied feminism during my Bachelor Studies. I was selective in what I chose to take on board, and I didn't burn my bra. I found the study very interesting and challenging.

Even so, I reckon my father had the best handle on the underpinning philosophy of feminism. When I was 15 years of age and planning future studies, Dad gave me a transistor radio for coming top of the year, and he said: "What ever pathway you choose, it is up to you - but always remember, you are as good or better than any man". I will never forget that day or his words.

And down the track I have learned about assertiveness, affirmative action and peoples' rights. And I have tried to practise these principles in my everyday living. But I have never been over the top in shoving my beliefs down others' throats - which I think radical leftist feminists do.

I will pay my way when I go out to dinner and I will accept my dinner being paid for. I will open a door for another person, just as I like a door opened for me. Just plain good sense and manners.

What I have said probably sounds extremely simplistic and naive. I know all of the academic jargon that I could use. Frankly, can't see the point in complicating my life on this planet.

As for young women, say 18-30 years these days, I doubt that they have any idea of the derivation of the term feminism and its underpinning philosophies. On the contrary, I get the impression that the conceptual framework is something along these lines: "I want what I want, and I want it right now!"

I think the key to being a successful human being is about balance. I like to balance some of my feminist values with some of my traditional values. For me they marry quite well.

Cheers
Kay
Posted by kalweb, Friday, 19 August 2005 5:56:35 PM
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The Problem facing Feminism, is the same one facing 'Trade Unions'

RELEVANCE.

My son just went for a job, for which he was accepted, at $20/hour. Its automotive related, but just factory work. Previously he only scraped in $15/hr. Unions have done well... but what next ? I can hear the board meeting "Cost of production... CHINA"...and all of them lose their jobs. Success turned into...failure.

FEMINISM.... all the supposed 'gains, freedoms, independance, etc may well end up with men, who actually think like 'men/males' looking for .... ( u can guess :)

Feminism, as with Unions, will now have to try to raise new issues so they can remain relevant. Its a bit like TV ratings.. Program manager at 10 "Guys.. ratings for Big Brother are a bit down, the Ad revenue is at risk.. lets PUSH THE BOUNDARIES AND MORE SEX".. which of course, like oil, is a limited commodity, once you 'do/show/speak about everything'.. what next ?

So, maybe we should take a fresh approach. Maybe its time to think for ourselves, and recognize the marxism (with its flawed philosophical assumptions) behind radical feminism, and the 'screen saver' magic it promised... is empty, barren, dissappointing and culturally destructive. It took many years for the Males of the Yir Yuront of Cape York to see the impact of the Steel Axe on their self esteem, but by the time they realized it, too late, they died of broken hearts, now there are perhaps a fingers and toes number of people who speak their language.

We have had feminism for only a few decades.

aah.. the simplicity "Husbands, love (and of course respect) your wives....... Wives, respect your husbands"..... "Treat the younger women as sisters, in all purity"

The Biblical concept of mutual adoration and sacrificial care, family, recognizing the complementary (rather than competitive) aspects of our genders.... mmmmmm like a breath of very very fresh air :)
Posted by BOAZ_David, Friday, 19 August 2005 8:15:59 PM
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BD - your son is earning much more than I did after nursing since 1971 - RGN RPN Dip Teach B.Ed Master of Ed. Before my accident as a nurse (2002) I was earning $22.50 an hour.

Grrr posts such as yours make me angry
Even so BD
I always get a laugh from you
Cheers
Kay
Posted by kalweb, Friday, 19 August 2005 8:58:11 PM
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Paul,
Overall I don't think a growth in liberalism is an indicator of less or more conservatism. And statistics can be read upside down and sideways depending on how you want to extrapolate from them.
Posted by Rainier, Friday, 19 August 2005 10:32:43 PM
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Thanks for a lucid and well-argued article, Paul. It's interesting to note that your detractors thus far in this forum variously refer us to a Mormon website, the scriptures, or stray off into barely coherent non-sequiturs that must have some logical connection to your article in the minds of those that post them.

I guess the conservative commentators you mention must base their claims on the nonsensical but noisy opinions of fringedwelling malcontents and missionaries, such as those who appear on this site every time the "f" word is mentioned.
Posted by giaman, Saturday, 20 August 2005 9:34:55 AM
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