Category Archives: introductory

FAQ: What is “sexism”?

October 19, 2007 · by · in clarifying-concepts, FAQ, introductory, sexism

Short definition: Sexism is both discrimination based on gender and the attitudes, stereotypes, and the cultural elements that promote this discrimination. Given the historical and continued imbalance of power, where men as a class are privileged over women as a class (see male privilege), an important, but often overlooked, part of the term is that […]

FAQ: Isn’t the existence of the term “sex-positive feminism” effectively an admission that many feminists are anti-sex?

July 15, 2007 · by · in FAQ, gender, introductory, objectification, oppression, Sexuality & Health, violence

If only it actually were that simple. Sex-positive’s opposite is not sex-negative. The terms sex-positive, sex-pos etc came about as a movement in opposition to the feminist anti-pornography activists of the late 1970s/early 1980s. Let’s spell it out: Pornography does not equal all sexual behaviour.. Prostitution does not equal all sexual behaviour. Consensual sex play […]

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Open Thread: Top 5 Introductory Texts

April 21, 2007 · by · in introductory, recommendations, writings

Reader A suggested: I was also interested in book suggestions, but I think that the LibraryThing might be a little too involved (the interface looked a little confusing to me). I think what would be nice would be either a simple, concise list of the five to ten most influential books or essays, or a […]

FAQ: What can I do for feminism?

April 19, 2007 · by · in FAQ, feminism, introductory

At the simplest, just talk to other people about your feminist ethics. This lets them know that normal people like their friends, neighbours, workmates and relatives can be feminists and still be friendly and sane. Volunteer some time to an organisation which helps women. There is a wide variety of organisations, some overtly feminist and […]

FAQ: Why "feminism" and not just "humanism"? Or "equalism"? Isn’t saying you’re a feminist exclusionary?

April 12, 2007 · by · in FAQ, FWW, introductory, privilege, sexism, spot the strawfeminist

This question implies that one must be either one or the other. People and philosophies are far more complicated than that. A feminist may also be both a humanist and an equalist. There’s no law that says only one box can be ticked here, and it’s hugely important not to get sucked into thinking that […]

FAQ: What is sexual objectification?

March 23, 2007 · by · in clarifying-concepts, FAQ, gender, introductory, objectification, privilege, sexism

Sexual objectification is the viewing of people solely as de-personalised objects of desire instead of as individuals with complex personalities and desires/plans of their own. This is done by speaking/thinking of women especially as only their bodies, either the whole body, or as fetishised body parts. Sexual attraction is not the same as sexual objectification: […]

Sexual Harassment

March 20, 2007 · by · in clarifying-concepts, introductory, op-ed, sexism, Sexuality & Health

Haven’t put together an FAQ for SH yet, but I just found an excellent resource for anyone looking for clearly laid out material. From the Memorial University of Newfoundland: Sexual Harassment Information Site. Obviously, their definitions and referenced laws are specific to their own region, but the site offers more information about the conceptual and […]

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