Feminism

[Henrik]

I've been reading about John Stuart Mill and his views on equality in The Subjection of Women. It seems that an important part of his argument is that equal rights for women will benefit mankind/society as a whole. For example, it seems that he condemns sexual inequalities of opportunity by appeal to the social utility lost - so men are harmed by any inequality. Does this mean that he is not a feminist?

In general, does it matter for feminism that a major motive for equality is the benefits to society as a whole, rather than specifically being concerned about the oppressed sex?

Thoughts?!

[Jingles]

I would imagine it would only matter if you were some sort of hardline militant feminist. It's a perfectly good argument for gender equality, and frankly I think any feminist would be stupid to reject it.

[removeduser_487563287433]

Your going to get some pretty witted comments in this thread, this forum being one for overwhelmingly teenage boys. Take a look at Help and Advice if you want to get some idea of this forum's ignorance concerning women.

Gender equality enhances our society, economy and politics.

[Henrik]

http://www2.hn.psu.edu/faculty/jmani...ll/sub_wom.pdf

Mill's essay in .pdf format may be found at the link above.

[removeduser_4536284751384]

I doubt we have anyone on the forum who would discrimate ont eh grounds of gender

but I really don't know what women are complaining about. They're used to be a stigma attached to women working. They were housewifes.

However imagine a man deciding to be a househusband? He would be labelled as a ing faggot. You just can't do it.

[Jingles]

Problem is, you can give women more rights, but unless you change the way men view the opposite sex as well, you solve little. In the Soviet Union, for example, very early on the government set about ensuring women had equal rights to men, however because they didn't factor in the conservative attitude of many Russian husbands, these women were faced with a double burden. The same also became true in the West in the following years as there, too, women gained more rights but still retained their old responsibilities.

[Denny Crane!]

His argument does make him a feminist, just a highly educated one. Of course equality of opportunity and treatment will enhance society. Freedom creates liberty of action and thought which brings economic and social benefits and enhances all our lives through the contributions we might have missed had one sex not had the opportunity to make them.

Gender inequality is still pervasive though. From the idea that you have to be more polite around women than men, as mentioned above that a man cannot be a house husband (though I know of one who isn't ashamed) and this is simply social programming that is a throwback to a time when there was mass gender inequality. I'm not sure how long that will last, it certainly isn't improved by the likes of Harriet Harman...

[Squiggle]

Gender equality is suicidal to any society. It undermines a functioning stable family unit, and therefore undermines the sense of unity/singular culture with the declining birth rates. For a matter of practicality if nothing else, everyone has their place and limits- including Women.

[The spartan]

Gender equality is suicidal to any society. It undermines a functioning stable family unit, and therefore undermines the sense of unity/singular culture with the declining birth rates. For a matter of practicality if nothing else, everyone has their place and limits- including Women.

Lawlz what? How does it undermine a stable family unit?

[Manco]

Lawlz what? How does it undermine a stable family unit?

Because women should be in the kitchen cooking my food, dag nabbit!

[hellheaven1987]

Gender equality is suicidal to any society. It undermines a functioning stable family unit, and therefore undermines the sense of unity/singular culture with the declining birth rates. For a matter of practicality if nothing else, everyone has their place and limits- including Women.

Shame on you, you just try to find an excuse not doing house works.

Because women should be in the kitchen cooking my food, dag nabbit!

Be a man!! Cook your food by yourself!!!

[HansDuet]

Gender equality is suicidal to any society. It undermines a functioning stable family unit, and therefore undermines the sense of unity/singular culture with the declining birth rates. For a matter of practicality if nothing else, everyone has their place and limits- including Women.

Everyone except adult males you mean? Productive women are good for society. Also there is absolutely no need for increased population growth.

[Henrik]

Gender equality is suicidal to any society. It undermines a functioning stable family unit, and therefore undermines the sense of unity/singular culture with the declining birth rates. For a matter of practicality if nothing else, everyone has their place and limits- including Women.

It("gender equality") started during the great depression when economists realized that women were more likely to kick start an economic recovery. This accelerated after the war. Now days, prime retail position is reserved for high return impulse purchasers by women.

[Phier]

The first step to gender equality is realizing the genders are not equal.

[jankren]

The difference between men and women is mostly nurture rather than nature.

And due to the traditional nurture of most women, I believe a women-controlled world will be a more peaceful world.

[hellheaven1987]

And due to the traditional nurture of most women, I believe a women-controlled world will be a more peaceful world.

That is not gender equality, you know.

[Phier]

The difference between men and women is mostly nurture rather than nature.

Such was the teaching of the 1970's, we know better now.

And due to the traditional nurture of most women, I believe a women-controlled world will be a more peaceful world.

There will never be a woman controlled world unless the women were thinking more like men, in which case it would not be more peaceful.

[removeduser_4536284751384]

The difference between men and women is mostly nurture rather than nature.

And due to the traditional nurture of most women, I believe a women-controlled world will be a more peaceful world.

actually this is the only case where I will say that the difference is mostly nature.

Their bodies are completely different from those of men, and so are their personalities (women are far closer to each otehr than men will ever be)

[HansDuet]

Yea thats female supremacy.

[Ishoss]

And we defnietly don't want Female supremacy.

What irks me with feminism, is that in Norway it has gotten too far in my opinion. Girls are told that they have all the opportunities in the world, the sky is the limit and that they should grab the chances which they have been granted. They're given all the motivation in the world to push for higher education. Result? In my class (a line called Studiespesialisering, we're the ones were most will push for higher education) there are 10 boys and 50 girls. I know at least 2 of these boys will be in the military/police school.

And the trend continues on into Uni. Once more - more women are encouraged. I remember Høgskolen i Bergen gave women 3 study-points extra for the Economy line. Simply because they're women! "We need more female economists!", yeah well. We need more male sociologists and so on. We don't recieve no preferential treatment. It's bloody stupid. Oh, but we get 2 extra points if we choose to become a vet. While girls get all the good educations, such as engineer...

Of course, more women start higher education. 60% of everyone in University are girls. In Ireland it's even more absurd - according to some presenter we listened to at an education-mass, 80% are female. (Can't find a source for it, though )