"Feminist is not a dirty word"

and nor is "chauvinist"

however, they are, of course, synonyms of one another.

countryperson

'I think the name 'feminist' should be regarded with respect...'

True. And for many, many people, it IS a term of respect, indeed pride.

If a lot of young women who believe in gender equality don't identify as feminists, then it's just a normal reaction against politicising or pigeonholing themselves. After all ... how many people who believe in social equality identify as socialists, and how many people who believe in free enterprise identify as capitalists?

From my perspective I have no problem with women wanting equal rights. But isn't that equalism?

When I hear the word feminism I think of it as the female version of chauvinism. Both of these ideals are used by people to justify their inherent sexism and I don't agree with either of them. I have heard feminists and chauvinists make basically the same arguments about why their gender is better. I think this adulation of their own gender is the reason people associate feminists with lesbianism and chauvinists with self gratification.

To give a concrete example, I don't believe in reverse discrimination, be that on race, gender or whatever. It is not clever, nor is it just, to punish the current generation for sins of the past. All people should have equal opportunities and be chosen for jobs entirely on merit. That is what I mean by equalism.

But the name really isn't important. The concept is.

I thought this article was heading in a good direction, then was dissapointed.

Feminism does suffer from 'Brand' damage. That's why equalitism, or egalitarianism would be a better thing to subscribe to. Or is the rejection of this really a sub-consious need to keep exclusive focus on women?

'Radical feminism, which emerged from the diverse women's movement of the 1960s, focused on patriarchy as the source of women's oppression.'

SJF? I'm sure she wouldn't think so. This is the problem of the damage to the brand. The supposed 'radical' feminists are what has been heard most often in the media, and by lefty school teachers, and most published. We have the voice of feminsim embodied in acedemics such as Germaine, who even recently said on Denton that misogyny is everywhere, and loves underage boys.

Feminism suffers the same fate as 'radical' islam.

'Labels do matter. They are statements as much as descriptors. They are powerful'
Yes, exactly. Which is why it is time to drop the 'fem' and have a more inclusive label. The world is very open to ideas of equality and gender roles, so now is the time to drop the one-sided, gender-dividing name, and distance ourselves from the 'radicals'.

'In the act of calling ourselves feminists we are expressing solidarity (not necessarily agreement) with others who share our core values.'
Not really. Unless you're only interested in solidarity with women, and an exclusive 'sisterhood', which alienates half the population. 'Core values' are like 'Core promises'.

'Next time you're asked if you are a feminist...'
Simply say you're not so easily pigeon holed, and don't find the need to limit yourself to brainless sloganism to define your ideals. Or perhaps say you are an equalitist.

BTW: It's interesting the blame is put on 'anti-feminists' for souring the feminist brand, rather than the 'radical' feminists. Just like with Islam, I pour the blame on the radical muslims, not on the people who are reached by their message and react with appropriate distaste.

We have a rambling old beach house which has been in the family for several generations and as usual it is crowded for the last two weeks of September - old habits go on forever it seems.

I thought I would print this article and drop it into the 'girls' circle that forms whenever the 'boys' have rallied themselves to help out with the regular heavy maintenance of the house and grounds (mainly up on trestles painting or removing dense undergrowth). I though that with eleven young women from 16 to 20 and all going through expensive education, there was a good enough sample to get a view or two. One girl had exercised her right to drive a tractor, saying she had the clearest head, but she just likes driving of course. I caught up with her later.

Anyway, the consensus of what turned out to be a short discussion could be summed up by the shrugs of the shoulders of those present. In their words,"What would be the point of telling her (the author) anything because she's not going to listen, right?" and "Maybe hold a good Irish wake for 'them' to feel better."

I guess that pretty well sums up why young women run from the feminists, it is because they (feminists) are stuck in a rut of their own making, not relevant or largely irrelevant, not willing to listen and let's face it many are an embarrassment to young women who grew up in a different environment.

Regarding the last mentioned point, how often do you hear an avowed feminist say that feminism is about equality and justice, choice and respect, only to hear them drop back a few minutes later into the same old familiar rut of victimhood, blame and 'dissing' men - to use the parlance of the daytime women's shows.

It is all so yesterday, but not to those who would earn their daily bread from it of course.

cornflower,

That raises a very good point actually. If there really was such 'a long way to go' for feminism, surely it's 'struggles' would strike a chord with this group of young women. Perhaps they are living proof that it is time to move on.

They should be grateful for all feminism has achieved, for which they benefit ofcourse. Perhaps that's the motivation behind a lot of articles I read from older feminists whinging at the young women these days who cant be rallied to the cause. Where's the gratitude!

But the younger women are doing just fine thankyou very much, and they probably see these feminists as the lost soldiers, fighting in the jungle when the war has been won.