So what is feminism now? Particularly now that we are well past the bra-burners (though some of them live on to annoy another day).

How do gen X and Y see feminism as a concept and movement in today's world? Most the big battles have been won. Do they even care, or are the equalities that were hard fought for now just accepted as the norm?

Of course, there are still pockets of issues within our society, particularly when it comes to issues of earnings and childcare (both paid childcare and normal day to day tasks). Most of these though are likely to be overcome on a generational basis - successive generations will become more and more used to expecting to negotiate between couples as to who does what, rather than taking on role expectations as a result of gender. Currently though the pick-up and drop-off and childcare centres and at schools highlights the fact that there are still inequalities. Whether these are a result of role expectations or a result of family negotiations isnt apparent, but from previous discussions on such topics it would appear that gender-based role expectations still play a very large role in who does what within a family group.

Country Gal, at the out of hours care my son attends there is no obvious gender divide on those dropping off and picking up kids (although I only see other parents in particular timeslots).

One area we still need to fix is industrial agreements that have unnecessary gender divides regarding parenting. Other than the bit's associated with carrying the child and recovery post delivery there is no real reason to have different provisions for mothers and fathers. Industrial agreements should be structured to allow families to decide their arrangements rather than having forced by different availibility of parenting related leave and working conditions.

Time to move past feminism towards a movement which seeks to free both men and women from unnecessary gender stereotypes and constraints rather than movements which treat the needs of one as greater then the other.

R0bert

Absolutely agree on the need to move past the focus on improving women's rights and instead focus on equality of opportunity. Do you have any stat's on men using parental leave as opposed to women? Annecdotally I know of only one man taking parental leave - this might be to do with my location out in the country, where traditional roles are probably that bit more ingrained still. What is sad to see is the number of men that look down at him for being a "kept man". This to me is strongly indicative of a lack of respect for child-raising, and underlines some of the reasons for ongoing inequalities. In the situation that I know of, its simply a case of he's good with kids, and his wife earns more, so it makes sense that he be the one stay at home post-breastfeeding era.

My experience at child care centres is the same as Roberts.

Things seem highly variable. Quite often pay differences appear to reflect length of time in which there has been a significant presence in an industry and at the bottom end of professional careers (ie. University training) women appear to be the up and comers. On the face of it there could be an automatic reversal given time.

However there seem to be less visible changes that erode gains made by feminism. Trades are increasingly commanding proportionally higher renumeration compared with professions than they used to. Males seem to dominate trades.

In some areas though women seem to be somewhat disadvantaged. Take pornography. Women seem to be considered a male erotic tool. How many three somes with two males indulging and entertaining a woman do you see in mainstream porn? Or how about some current news where an 18 year old is labelled a boy in an outrageous pack rape and even the prosecutor doesn't think the culprits should be significantly punished. Oops an understandable mistake? Boys will be boys? Give me a break.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=155021

PS. Another comment on the "young boys" as they are described by the journalist. The prosecutor considers that they regretted their behaviour. Yeah regretted it enough to sell the DVD.

Late this afternoon I went to an information session at my son's school and men were outnumbered 6 to 1 by women. A different experience to the out of hours care pick up and drop off.

I'd be surprised if many men have taken leave to be the prime carer at this stage. If the agreements in place at my work and the approach of my union are typical it is much more difficult for men to get the leave to take on that role. A much shorter paid leave period and much less access to unpaid leave, part time work wile the kids are young etc in existing agreements and the conditions the union continues to ask for.

R0bert