In this chapter, Shalit explains that the freedom given to us by the feminist movement has been limited by what society expects us to do with that freedom. Because society expects us to use our new found freedom working in what was once considered a man's job and openly expressing ourselves, it doesn't view the role as a housewife to be desirable. Just because we are able to do these things doesn't mean we want to. I think the original feminist ideas have been skewed; what was once about freedom to choose has become very one sided. Shalit claims that this pressure society has put on us has been derogatory to women as a whole. Society has forgotten that the feminist movement is about empowerment. If a woman feels safe and secure wearing traditional Muslim garb, who is to say she is wrong? What is considered extreme to us is the same as wearing sweat pants and a t-shirt to them.
2 comments:
group5 said...
I agree with what your saying. What is comfortable to someone may not be comfortable to others. Different societies have different views on what is normal and we need to be tolerant of that.
--Kristine Jansen
July 17, 2007 4:06 PM
Joy said...
I absolutely agree. Everything now has to be politically correct, and we have to watch the things we say because it might be considered sexist. And society HAS forgotten that the feminist movement was about empowerment. I agree with Shalit that society is making women more like men, when clearly we are so different. Somethings men can do better and somethings women can do better, but when the two work together the outcome is the best.
July 18, 2007 8:47 PM
Chelle said...
I agree that the power lies within the ability to choose. However, feminists consider men powerful and if a man decides to stay at home with the children then that is not a powerful move. I can see why women staying at home would not be considered powerful either. We can all work at the neighborhood McDonalds if we choose, but we can not all choose to be corporate executives. Even though we (as women) have a choice in what we can make out of ourselves there will always be more powerful positions in our society. But if being a housewife is what fulfills one person then let them do so and be happy. After all, happiness is the greatest power of all.
~chelle dean
Jeff S said...
1) I don't believe that people care less I feel that what people have become comfortable with is more though. There are still many things for many, many people who live their lives modistly, and for them there are very many things that they are probably not comfortable with, but are exposed to regardless.
2) No. Absolutely not. Just because I choose to be proud of my partner/ spouse, does that mean I cannot hold her hand in public? Does that mean I can't share a peck on the cheeck when she's done something cute? Now I firmly believe there is a line between minor PDA and making out in public. I believe that's discusting and should be kept behind doors. But I refuse to yield minor charicteristics because someone can't handle me holding hands, opening doors, and a kiss on the cheek after dinner!
3) Strength comes in many way's. For some it was having to be put on the street with nothing but what clothes they wore. For some it's watching other make mistakes and growing and learning accordingly. If embarrassment serves as some stage for learning thats fine, but lets not hide the fact that someone's going to grow up and experience things sooner or later, and as a proper parent, it's their job to arm their children with morals and "modesty"
4) I really don't know either way. I that's up to women.
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