fresh_dude: @Ogugua, you have good points. But also note that today's feminism is about being "the loudest in the room."
And as for those lawmakers, they're both right and wrong. I'd agree with them giving the major blame of unwanted pregnancies on women, because while it takes two to tango, it's the woman's body that serves as "baby factory"(please indulge me), it should be primarily her responsibility to control birth.
And then again, lawmakers aren't perfect, men complain of divorce laws.
Still, each gender should pursue their interests with fairness and consideration.

ogugua88: [size=13pt]It is clear that feminists of the 20th century and feminists of today are a different species. I, too, can vote, can work amongst men, get paid the same as men, can drive, etc. A fight still remains, but it has changed.

Let me start off by saying two things:

1. I agree with most, if not everything that was written.
2. I'm not a feminist.

Now, about this fight, or fuss as you said. Women's issues took hold of the 2012 elections here in the US, which was shocking to me. I thought that ship had sailed, only for it to be front and center once again. The issue stems from stereotypes, but the reason why feminism is alive once again is because some of the people who hold these stereotypes are powerful people (mostly men), who happen to be lawmakers and/or influential ($$$$).

Some politicians believe a woman's reproductive system shuts down when it's being molested, so conception is impossible. Some politicians have tried to redefine the term "rape". Some politicians blame women who don't close their legs for high pre-marital sex/birth rates, as if it doesn't take two to tango. Some have targeted women's reproductive health clinics, such as Planned Parenthood, in hopes of eliminating state and federal funding to the organization that is the nation's largest reproductive health provider. Women who are pro-birth control have been labeled sluts and prostitutes by politicians and others with influence. Some states in the US, most recently North Dakota, have closed the window for a woman to have an abortion to as low as six weeks, when most women don't even know they're pregnant until well after six weeks.

When I was hearing one foolish comment after another by men who hold seats in Washington, I definitely had a rethink. I definitely started putting things in perspective as it certainly pertains to me, especially as an African American, who is already stereotyped as a baby-mama or illiterate.

I'm glad you said "a woman should have choices". Luckily, I live somewhere that is relatively free and allows me to make my own decisions. A lot of women in various states, as well as various parts of the world, don't have that freedom. In 2013, it's unfair that old men in Washington are trying to dictate what women can and can't do with their bodies.

Men and women have their fair shares of issues. I don't think anyone can successfully dispute that. It's just that when women's rights and issues are being questioned yet again, you begin to wonder if people learned anything from the various movements in the 20th century.

Again, I'm not a feminist, but I won't turn my back on their movement, and this is one of the biggest reasons why. I'm sure there are various types of women fighting for various causes, especially in the Middle East. I don't like blanket terms or phrases though. I formulate opinions on a case-to-case basis, which is why I won't call myself pro-feminism or anti-feminism.[/size]

ogugua88:

[size=13pt]That's why I said it depends on what's being discussed. Some feminists are loud and for no reason. Others have very valid points.

They don't want women to have any choices on reproduction. They want to deny them access to all family planning options, even when sexual molestation is the case. They want women to have unwanted children... and then they're also against welfare and government assistance. It can't work that way. And keep in mind that a lot of these lawmakers are adulterous, so their attempt at preservation of morality as some would wish to call it is already in question.

For the issue that the OP raised, she's really spot on. Feminism encompasses so much that one really can't be entirely for it or entirely against it though.[/size]

The truth is that men don't fight for their own rights. They're usually on top in society, so I guess they don't make their own demands even when they need to. Plus, going back to stereotypes, men are conditioned not to complain and to "be like a man" and "suck it up".

ogugua88: [size=13pt]It is clear that feminists of the 20th century and feminists of today are a different species. I, too, can vote, can work amongst men, get paid the same as men, can drive, etc. A fight still remains, but it has changed.

Let me start off by saying two things:

1. I agree with most, if not everything that was written.
2. I'm not a feminist.

Now, about this fight, or fuss as you said. Women's issues took hold of the 2012 elections here in the US, which was shocking to me. I thought that ship had sailed, only for it to be front and center once again. The issue stems from stereotypes, but the reason why feminism is alive once again is because some of the people who hold these stereotypes are powerful people (mostly men), who happen to be lawmakers and/or influential ($$$$).

Some politicians believe a woman's reproductive system shuts down when it's being molested, so conception is impossible. Some politicians have tried to redefine the term "rape". Some politicians blame women who don't close their legs for high pre-marital sex/birth rates, as if it doesn't take two to tango. Some have targeted women's reproductive health clinics, such as Planned Parenthood, in hopes of eliminating state and federal funding to the organization that is the nation's largest reproductive health provider. Women who are pro-birth control have been labeled sluts and prostitutes by politicians and others with influence. Some states in the US, most recently North Dakota, have closed the window for a woman to have an abortion to as low as six weeks, when most women don't even know they're pregnant until well after six weeks.

When I was hearing one foolish comment after another by men who hold seats in Washington, I definitely had a rethink. I definitely started putting things in perspective as it certainly pertains to me, especially as an African American, who is already stereotyped as a baby-mama or illiterate.

I'm glad you said "a woman should have choices". Luckily, I live somewhere that is relatively free and allows me to make my own decisions. A lot of women in various states, as well as various parts of the world, don't have that freedom. In 2013, it's unfair that old men in Washington are trying to dictate what women can and can't do with their bodies.

Men and women have their fair shares of issues. I don't think anyone can successfully dispute that. It's just that when women's rights and issues are being questioned yet again, you begin to wonder if people learned anything from the various movements in the 20th century.

Again, I'm not a feminist, but I won't turn my back on their movement, and this is one of the biggest reasons why. I'm sure there are various types of women fighting for various causes, especially in the Middle East. I don't like blanket terms or phrases though. I formulate opinions on a case-to-case basis, which is why I won't call myself pro-feminism or anti-feminism.[/size]

Yield: Balance is key.

Raggedy_Ann: I'm also a Nigerian woman. Educated, employed, vote and drive. I own property and I'm free to make my own decisions regarding whom and when or even whether to marry. I have parents who understood that they would not be wasting their resources by giving me an education, girls are admissible in all Nigerian Universities, and women are at liberty to hold public offices.

What's the fuss? I'm not a feminist, and I do not have to be because (like the poster said) I'm not shut out of anything for being a woman.

But the world did not always look like this for women. There was a time when women weren't allowed to vote, a time when education was considered too much of a physical burden for women, a time when a woman`s opinion didn't matter whatever the issue. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the feminist movements began in reaction to female subdugation - they addressed these issues (suffrage, equal opportunities in education and employment, reproductive rights, contract rights, property rights, etc) that have led to female emancipation.

What's the fuss about feminism now when we are emancipated women? I am not a feminist and I don't have to be thanks to the women who wore that label to change the world for me - Elizabeth Stanton, Suzanne Anthony, Simone de Bouvoir amongst others, women who should be commended for their courage and vision.

That we now explore the options that are open to us does not make us feminists, it just proves that we are emancipated - we choose because we can. If I choose a career over a husband I'm no more emancipated than the woman who chooses a husband over a career. We have both exercised our freedom to choose.

Another feminist movement would arguably be redundant in this country, so -nay!

troy20:
y r u women running away 4rm admittn it.is it dt bad?

Raggedy_Ann:

No it isn't. We aren't qualified to call ourselves feminists if we don't propagate feminists theories and liberate women. It would be disrespectful to the women who were and still are members of the movement. We are beneficiaries.

troy20:
realy? Cause being a beneficiary is more secure.u dnt want 2 be tagged.wat makes u tink dt u hav 2 carry a placard 2 b known as one or probably hav it pinned 2 ur chest.ur comments n attitude simply givs u away.dnt u know? feminism is growing.alota women r feminist bt wud neva admit 2 b one.

sKeetz: Dunno hw you guys afford the time to compose this long boring epistles.

It doesn't just work for me, nw tell me: where do I starting reading all these

I thought everyone was taught summary bck in high school..heck, I was wrong!

tpia@:
feminism works for white, or western women because their laws and culture supports it.

for a black, african woman, not so much.

Yvete: Ogugua88: You're an intelligent young lady though I've got issues with your eyebrows. I see you in a position of leadership (Not a prophetess).

[size=13pt]Lmao. Thanks. I love my eyebrows so [/size]

Kgdavid: @ Ogugua i disgree with you wen you talk about the issue of abortion and women having the right to do what they want with their bodies. the question is, is an unborn baby a part of its mothers body?? if you say it is then the debate opens up to a whole new dimension, just how responsible should parents be for their children? why are fathers required by law to provide welfare for their kids? responsibility towards children must not only begin once they have been delivered. it must begin from inception and does not only stop at abortion prevention but goes must include the prevention of harmful behaviors such as drinking and smoking in the mother prior to delivery. our rights end where another's begin and therefore you lose the right to do what you want to do with your body when you make the decision to engage in behavior that is by nature designed to produce another life. your right to do wat yu want with your body ends at the point where the right to life begins for your precious baby.

but how do we deal with the issue of legitimately unwanted pregnancies i.e rape? abortion is not the key. i strongly recommend that the state take responsibility for proven cases of abortion, support the mother and if after delivery she still chooses to reject the helpless baby then the state should take up full responsibility for the child.

going back to the issue of doing what you want with your body i again ask a question: should suicide be legalized? if you do not have the right to kill yourself then what right do you have to kill something...someone that is only partially part of you?