Liberation?

No man is as anti-feminist as a really feminine woman. ~Frank O'Connor

Men and women have been discussing liberation and feminist theories since time immemorial, the question I think we ought to ask after all this time is that, what has all this discussion done? Where has it bought the whole issue?

On the one hand, it is undeniable that women have come a long way from being clubbed on the head by a prospective suitor and being dragged by her hair into his cave, but on the other hand, what have we lost to gain this "liberation”? It is a pretty legit argument that has often been espoused, that women have lost that intrinsic "femininity" in their quest for this so-called liberation

In this quest for some version of equality between the sexes, we seem to have almost merged both sexes into one. Radical feminists used to be a minority, but now we hear their rallying cry too often for my comfort at least, “Women can do everything men can”. Well, maybe we can, but do we really want to? I’m very happy to sit in the toilet and take time off for kids; both of which men don’t usually do.

At the risk of sounding like a woman who is a male chauvinist, let me clarify. I feel that gender differences were created for a reason, some form of specialization of labour, the minute either sex crosses the boundaries the carefully crafted balance falls apart. The current situation brings to my mind the old adage, “give an inch and he’ll take a mile”. Women should have a say in politics and definitely I thank the early suffragists for fighting for my right to vote (although I still didn’t get to); but when in the sixties they burnt the bra, did they burn femininity along with it?

Now you ask what this femininity I’m going on about is. Simple really, I would define it to include a little HEART-work, a little bit more concern and gentleness. The feminists want to stone me now, I sound like I’m from the Stone Age anyway; but stop and think a minute. Women are biologically smaller, more apt to emotional blitzes and generally softer (emotionally and physically; not mentally). This would make women fantastic in many job roles but instead of injecting better working conditions or living conditions; women at the top often try to outdo the men they have replaced!

India came closest to losing democracy at the hands of a woman; Pakistani women did not benefit in any great way from a female head of state and most female CEOs work long hours and expect more from their staff; maid abusers are often women given a chance to lord over someone else! It seems that we have left dark oppression only to become more oppressive.

Instead of getting hard ourselves and trying to compete, women should try and give their best qualities to men - bring them softness, teach them how to cry.
~Joan Baez, "Sexism Seen but not Heard," Los Angeles Times, 1974