Agree to Disagree

I am a feminist because I believe women should be equal to men.

This is the meaning of feminism, but many have interpreted this definition in different and sometimes radical ways. Shulamith Firestone is a perfect example, as she led the radical feminist movement in the 1960s. Though she fought for women's rights, she took the movement to a new level that in many ways I don't agree with. With these disagreements, I could either brush them off and simply make the claim that she was delusional and an overwhelming 'crazy radical,' or I could examine her ideas and compare them with mine. Choosing to do the latter does mean that an argument will happen, but learning often cannot come without dissent.

One topic Firestone argued was that the traditional family structure is restrictive and should be broken down completely. Coming from a loving and supportive family, I cannot imagine life in the society that she proposes. My experiences have instilled family values that are very important to me and in many ways central to who I am today.

A key point that Firestone brings up in this debate is child abuse, and it is important to address. Many families are in fact destructive, and cannot be easily fixed. In these cases, Firestone says, children should be able to leave in order to protect themselves. I agree with her that there needs to be action to protect the members of these abusive families, but I do not agree that the basis of families is wrong.

She makes the claim that the patriarchal structure of a family causes both women and children to forever be held captive in the restraints of a societal creation. In response to this, I do agree that there should be equality between spouses in a family, however, I also believe that there is a sacred and loving bond that exists in families that should not be removed.

Firestone also promoted the idea that childbearing should be gotten rid of all together in order to make sexual distinctions nonexistent. As a woman, I wholeheartedly disagree with the fact that my ability to reproduce causes me to be less equal in comparison to men. I do see her point in that pregnancy is seen to make a woman weak in the eyes of society, but that is the problem we need to fight, not the pregnancy itself.

Also, I believe that equality, not neutrality, is necessary in society. Firestone was aiming for the complete removal of differences between the sexes, which is not the same as being equal. I see the goal of equality to be based more on highlighting the differences between the sexes, while still treating each group the same way - not just making everyone the same.

When discussing Firestone's beliefs and passions, it is also important to look at the situation she lived through. She grew up in an Orthodox home with a controlling and almost abusive father. Her mother was completely submissive to her husband, and Firestone herself was expected to behave in the same way. When looking at her arguments about families, it is easy to see why she believed the traditional structure is flawed and should be gotten rid of. Her family situation also helps contribute to an understanding of her idea of de-sexing society. As there was an enormous difference in duties and power between men and women in her household, I can see why she thought that the sexes themselves should simply be done away with.

I still may not agree with everything Firestone stood for, but I do admit that with a closer analysis on her arguments as well as her life, I can see more clearly the reasons behind her passions and do acknowledge that I might feel the same way if I had lived through the things she lived through.