Category Archives: Issues

FAQ: Can men be feminists?

March 19, 2007 · by · in allies, clarifying-concepts, FAQ, introductory, privilege

(Updated with extra clarification in the clarifying concepts section)Many men are entirely comfortable with calling themselves feminists, and many feminist women are very happy to accept them as fellow feminists working for the end of sexist oppression. However, there are also men and women who are ideologically uncomfortable with men calling themselves feminists, because it […]

FAQ: What do feminists mean by "reproductive freedom"?

March 17, 2007 · by · in clarifying-concepts, FAQ, gender, introductory, reproductive justice, Sexuality & Health

Reproductive freedom is so much more than merely being pro-choice. Without reproductive freedom, women’s rights to legal equality and social equity cannot be guaranteed. “Defined by feminists in the 1970s as a basic human right, it includes the right to abortion and birth control, but implies much more. To be realised, reproductive freedom must include […]

Saturday Retrospective: early feminist writings

March 17, 2007 · by · in feminism, First-Wave, Social Justice

Please feel free to leave comments quoting your favourite excerpts from these and why they speak to you. A Vindication of the Rights of Women (1792) by Mary WollestonecraftWith Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects It would be an endless task to trace the variety of meannesses, cares, and sorrows, into which women are plunged […]

FAQ: What can feminism do for me?

March 15, 2007 · by · in FAQ, feminism, introductory, Sexuality & Health, Social Justice, Solidarity & Sisterhood

You will find that you are not alone in thinking something is disturbing and unjust with the way that society deals with gender. my first encounter with feminist writing reassured me that i wasn’t insane, and that amongst other things, it was in fact normal to be bothered by violence and misogyny. [m. (sthreeling): 5 […]

FAQ: Does feminism matter?

March 15, 2007 · by · in clarifying-concepts, FAQ, feminism, gender, introductory, sexism, victimhood

Hell yes. 1. Society deals with gender in a way that, on balance, harms women. 2. This is a problem that must be corrected. [yami (Green Gabbro): Feminisms] Related reading: All FAQ articles below have links to further reading on other sites Harm to women: FAQ:Isn’t feminism just playing “victim” politics? Gender inequity: FAQ:What is […]

FAQ: What’s wrong with suggesting that women take precautions to prevent being raped?

March 15, 2007 · by · in clarifying-concepts, FAQ, introductory, Sexuality & Health, violence

This FAQ has been updated with an addendum 2010-04-27 Short answer: Because it puts the onus on women not to get themselves raped, rather than on men not to do the raping; in short, it blames the victim. [From Grendelkhan, in comments, emphasis added] Why taking precautions doesn’t work Melissa McEwan points out that whether […]

FAQ: What is male privilege?

March 11, 2007 · by · in clarifying-concepts, FAQ, privilege

Before discussing “male privilege” it is first important to define what privilege means in an anti-oppression setting. Privilege, at its core, is the advantages that people benefit from based solely on their social status. It is a status that is conferred by society to certain groups, not seized by individuals, which is why it can […]

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