Thursday, August 12, 2004
Am I Contrary?
I watched PBS's To the Contrary for the first time last night. I actually liked it! I've been turned off by most other roundtable pundit shows lately, but this one really spoke to me--perhaps because it's centered around women's perspectives.
As a young-ish woman, sometimes it's difficult to decide where I stand on a lot of feminine issues. I like to think I'm somewhere in the middle on most:
-I don't care for men-hating feminists, but I'll be damned before I "submit" to my husband--compromise, yes; submit, no.
-I think it's important for mothers to stay home with young children as long as possible, but I also crave the independence and self-esteem that a career can provide. I enjoy my time with Joe, but I also wouldn't mind getting started on a retirement plan for myself.
-I think the best candidate should be hired for a job. However, I think society in general must work to make sure women are able to achieve the same high-paying positions men do. After all, neither sex has a lock on being the more intelligent gender.
-I'm pro-choice, but I don't necessarily agree with partial-birth abortion. I'm no doctor, though, and who the hell am I to tell someone what to do with her body--especially if her life is in danger? I do think women (and men, damn it!) need to be as responsible as possible when it comes to family planning. Use a condom, and don't have kids until you're financially and mentally capable of giving them all they need to be a benefit to society.
-I'm married and never really experienced the dating scene, so I guess I'll never understand where the middle road is between being a dirty slut or a good girl. (I'm lucky; I get to be whichever one I want each night.) I definitely think sex is a natural thing--not to mention freakin' great! However, I completely respect modesty and abstinence.
-I think men who prey on women are horrible human beings, but I also believe women have to take a reasonable amount of responsibility for putting themselves in certain situations. Women should not expect men to always be chivalrous, especially when waving tits and ass their faces. Don't get me wrong--I'm not letting men off the hook. Like I said, men who take advantage of women in weakened states disgust me and should be prosecuted.
-I'm also not sure where I stand on the whole sexuality-as-power issue. I can't decide whether the Hooters girls are stupid for allowing their own objectification or are smart for making money off the male gender's weakness for titties. I do think prostitution should be legal. Why shouldn't I be able to sell my skills/talent to another consenting adult? I say license 'em, test 'em, and tax 'em. Just think of all the untapped potential tax revenue lying around out there.
As a young-ish woman, sometimes it's difficult to decide where I stand on a lot of feminine issues. I like to think I'm somewhere in the middle on most:
-I don't care for men-hating feminists, but I'll be damned before I "submit" to my husband--compromise, yes; submit, no.
-I think it's important for mothers to stay home with young children as long as possible, but I also crave the independence and self-esteem that a career can provide. I enjoy my time with Joe, but I also wouldn't mind getting started on a retirement plan for myself.
-I think the best candidate should be hired for a job. However, I think society in general must work to make sure women are able to achieve the same high-paying positions men do. After all, neither sex has a lock on being the more intelligent gender.
-I'm pro-choice, but I don't necessarily agree with partial-birth abortion. I'm no doctor, though, and who the hell am I to tell someone what to do with her body--especially if her life is in danger? I do think women (and men, damn it!) need to be as responsible as possible when it comes to family planning. Use a condom, and don't have kids until you're financially and mentally capable of giving them all they need to be a benefit to society.
-I'm married and never really experienced the dating scene, so I guess I'll never understand where the middle road is between being a dirty slut or a good girl. (I'm lucky; I get to be whichever one I want each night.) I definitely think sex is a natural thing--not to mention freakin' great! However, I completely respect modesty and abstinence.
-I think men who prey on women are horrible human beings, but I also believe women have to take a reasonable amount of responsibility for putting themselves in certain situations. Women should not expect men to always be chivalrous, especially when waving tits and ass their faces. Don't get me wrong--I'm not letting men off the hook. Like I said, men who take advantage of women in weakened states disgust me and should be prosecuted.
-I'm also not sure where I stand on the whole sexuality-as-power issue. I can't decide whether the Hooters girls are stupid for allowing their own objectification or are smart for making money off the male gender's weakness for titties. I do think prostitution should be legal. Why shouldn't I be able to sell my skills/talent to another consenting adult? I say license 'em, test 'em, and tax 'em. Just think of all the untapped potential tax revenue lying around out there.