The New Women's Movement

[fundies_like_zombies]

fascinatingwomanhoodak.com/the-new-womens-movement-were-coming-home

"The feminist movement gave us the “liberation†to face life outside the home. We were given the means to find and provided with substitutes for the care that wives and mothers traditionally gave their families, such as daycare, earlier and later compulsory age requirements in schools, three-meal-a-day daycares and schools, fast-food restaurants, and quick-fix-it boxed meals to replace home-cooked meals. School teachers took over character training for our children, therapists took over teaching our children to play and get to know themselves as well as interacting with others, counselors took over the wise counsel and understanding that once only a mother could give, and tax-funded social services for families and communities grew astronomically."

"We have reexamined the attributes of men and women and studied their undeniable differences. We have stopped believing that men and women’s functions in the home and society are interchangeable, but now know that these functions, while very different, are of equal importance. In this New Women’s Movement, we have removed the battle lines, laid our weapons down, and are making peace in our homes. We choose to speak in kindness and wisdom to our family members. We refuse to continually put them down and treat them as if they are of little importance."

"This is a most significant impact of this New Movement. While we are no longer in the workforce contributing to our national economy, we are actually repairing it from the

inside. We give of ourselves to our family’s total well-being, including their health, welfare, and character. This has astronomic implications for our economic future. Everything that we do for our families we do with not just today, but tomorrow, in mind."

fascinatingwomanhoodak.com/2012/07/09/fwa-near-daily-encouragement-substituted-but-never-replaced

fascinatingwomanhoodak.com/2012/07/05/fwa-near-daily-encouragement-delicateness-weekly-assignment-included

" In reading of being delicate in this day and age of the sexes behaving so much alike, a woman may feel that it is not in her nature. Do give it thought, though. Even the most seemingly hardened of women still have some delicateness, it’s the way God created us, and it’s undeniable. The more we accept the fact that we are created more delicately, more sensitive, than men, and open our minds and hearts to allow ourselves to explore this fascinating characteristic of womanhood, the more we can see that it is actually a very, very beautiful thing. It brings out the wholesome masculinity in a man and the masculine traits of chivalry and protection, and the real inner beauty and depth of character, understanding, and wisdom in women. "

Can't. Stop. Reading.

[Childless]

What a bunch of bullshit. The feminist movement didn't force anyone to get a job and put their child in daycare. It simply gave women the right to choose. Some women chose to work, others chose to stay at home. I dare say the feminist movement also gave more freedom to men. Take my husband for example. As an 18 year old, he decided not to go to college and to go out into the work world. He now freely admits his stupidity in this decision. 18 year olds often make stupid choices. Its the nature of immaturity. At 34 years old, after working on a factory floor for 15+ years, he had had enough. He hated his job. His work hours were going to prohibit him from watching his son grow up. He wanted a change. Because I was able to get a college degree in a field that provides a good income level and excellent benefits, he's been able to quit working and go back to college. He's also able to stay home during the day with our son and have the relationship he wanted to have with him. He has the freedom to follow his dreams because I had the freedom to follow mine. Now, we have a son who gets to stay home instead of go to daycare, my husband no longer has to go to a job he hates everyday, and I get the fulfillment of a career that I had dreamed about since I was a child. Everyone is happy and content. Who are these people to tell my family that we're doing it wrong?

[mama_bear]

It also makes sound like there was this dividing line-before feminism women didn't work but stayed home and that was wonderful. After feminism women all worked and that's bad. That's ridiculous-there have always been some women that have worked outside the home in various capacities. Or certainly a time when commerce was centered more around the home (living quarters above businesses, farms, etc.)

[NoQuiverNoCry]

In reading of being delicate in this day and age of the sexes behaving so much alike, a woman may feel that it is not in her nature. Do give it thought, though. Even the most seemingly hardened of women still have some delicateness, it’s the way God created us, and it’s undeniable. The more we accept the fact that we are created more delicately, more sensitive, than men, and...[snip]

Uh, No. I'm happily married for almost 30 years to an amazing person who happens to be 6'4", 200#, and at least 10 times more "delicate" than I could ever be. It's not that I "feel that it is not in her [my] nature." It's Not There. I am not delicate in any way, shape, or form. And that's _exactly_ how it's supposed to be.

[JesusFightClub]

I can honestly say I don't have any delicateness. When I was a kid my favourite toy was a fake Uzi, and it's only gone downhill from there in delicateness terms. Now I collect pictures of carbombings and read the SAS tactics handbook for light reading. If I have delicateness it's very well hidden.

What I hate about these blogs, apart from the God bothering, is that they assume all women are the same. We all secretly want to flounce around in chiffon and take orders from hubby. We all secretly want to cross stitch adorable pictures of kittens and wrangle 12 children as we tidy the house for our husband's return from work. There's no space for any nonconforming women, because you REALLY want to conform, but feminism isn't letting you. So it follows if you conform to a 50s stereotype of a housewife, you'll be in bliss. It's like Betty Friedan never happened.

[bananacat]

Feminism didn't force anyone to get a job; conservatism did that. Women always worked. Mothers always worked. And they worked and lived in horrible conditions because worker's rights were never considered. SAHMs never existed until well after most of the feminists movements, and they only exist because of massive class privilege. Mothers have never been able to focus only on raising their children, even when they didn't have paying jobs. All SAHMs should be massively thankful for progressivism for getting to a point in society where even middle class men can often manage to get a good enough wage to support a family on only one income while ALSO being able to afford all the modern conveniences that allow the allow the mother to focus just on her child.

[Hane]

Yeah, I well remember the day when feminism forced me to stop being a SAHM and go out to get a job to support myself and my child. Oh, wait--it wasn't feminism; it was my mentally ill, alcoholic husband who couldn't "cope" anymore and wanted out.

[Lala29]

I can honestly say I don't have any delicateness. When I was a kid my favourite toy was a fake Uzi, and it's only gone downhill from there in delicateness terms. Now I collect pictures of carbombings and read the SAS tactics handbook for light reading. If I have delicateness it's very well hidden.

What I hate about these blogs, apart from the God bothering, is that they assume all women people are the same. We all secretly want to flounce around in chiffon and take orders from hubby. We all secretly want to cross stitch adorable pictures of kittens and wrangle 12 children as we tidy the house for our husband's return from work. There's no space for any nonconforming women, because you REALLY want to conform, but feminism isn't letting you. So it follows if you conform to a 50s stereotype of a housewife, you'll be in bliss. It's like Betty Friedan never happened.

Fixed that for you. What I hate is the strictly prescribed gender roles in general. I know tons of men who have some 'delicateness' in them, whatever the hell that means. I wonder what fundies think of men doing 'traditionally female' jobs, such as teaching elementary school, nursing, etc.[*] Are those men ignoring their macho coarse nature and going against their true desires to do something 'delicate'?

[*]and by traditionally female jobs, I mean the ones unmarried young women did to bide their time until a man came along to marry them. Since all married women back in them thar golden ages didn't have to work. :roll:

[Anxious Girl]

Doesn't she realize that the point of feminism is giving women choices; whether they want to be a stay at home mom; working mom; just married; living with a partner; or single? Feminism is not about allowing women to only become stay at home mothers and make them; it's about allowing them to be who they want to be.

[MonkeyMomma]

Every time I read something like this, it just makes me laugh. Good luck with that there "movement." I'm going to bet the majority of women will be keeping their contraception, education, pants, and voting rights.

[Anxious Girl]

I don't understand these womanhood crusaders. If they were truly worried about bringing back womanhood; they would stop blogging altogether. They would stay home; keep the house; and have sex like rabbits to only produce offspring. If they went out; they would have to go with their husband/ask him permission to go out; and would not speak unless spoken to. They would not read or write/type at all; because back in the Edwardian/Victorian era; it was considered unwomanly for middle and lower class women to be able to read type and write. Why do these women preach to us about this bullshit when they're not doing it themselves; but want to make them seem superior by telling us to oblige to their patrachical bullshit when they aren't doing it correctly themselves? They're fuckin' hypocrites.

[ADoyle90815]

I don't understand these womanhood crusaders. If they were truly worried about bringing back womanhood; they would stop blogging altogether. They would stay home; keep the house; and have sex like rabbits to only produce offspring. If they went out; they would have to go with their husband/ask him permission to go out; and would not speak unless spoken to. Why do these women preach to us about this bullshit when they're not doing it themselves; but want to make them seem superior by telling us to oblige to their patrachical bullshit when they aren't doing it correctly themselves? They're fuckin' hypocrites.

QFT. Another thing is that they don't care that feminism just gave women a choice, and staying at home is a perfectly acceptable choice even among "feminists." There are also women who find themselves in a situation where they have to work because their husband left them, became disabled, or died.

[emmiedahl]

I have a facebook friend who is pretty active in LAF. She feels that feminism has forced women into colleges and workplaces against their will. When I asked how they are forced, it comes down to internal pressure. She wants to stay at home but has a bright mind and their family really needs another income. Welcome to life, lady. We all have to choose. Be thankful you *have* the choice. It's like she wants someone to force her to stay home so she does not have to feel guilty and useless.

My middle stepson was laid off for a while and was a stay-at-home boyfriend. He kept the house beautifully, cooked elaborate meals, ironed every piece of linen in the apartment and loved it. But he had to get a job for financial reasons. He wishes he could be a kept man, but it is not possible. Is he a victim of feminism? lol. Sometimes you have to work, it is a fact of life and not a liberal conspiracy.

[yaright]

I love being a SAHM and feminist. I am thankful everyday that it is not ok for my husband to beat me, I get the right to vote. I can make choices as to who I am going to marry. If my children are abused I can leave. As for women going to the work force, I could be off, but wasn't that caused when all the men went to fight WW2? And as for fast food pizza and McDonalds FF yum! not every night. The world is a better place when I have some starbucks. And as a SAHM I love mothers day out and daycare at gyms! I like to hire babysitters so I get a date night with my husband. And lastly I don't think We all know the difference between men and women. Those differences don't make us less or do not give us the ability to work the same jobs as men. I for one smell better than my husband, don't shave my face and he is not required to shave his legs, which pisses me off and is not fair. Plus he doesn't have the swimsuit battle I face every year. See real differences. And I have to carry the babies in my tummy not him. But she needs to realize not all women want to be mothers or SAHM. I know some really shitty mothers. Not because of feminism but drugs. which we had before the feminist movement. I have worked in schools and did daycare at my house. I am thankful kids have a safe place. Also Public school started way before feminism. So did daycare situations and restaurants. And women have always worked outside the home, proverbs 31 women they all love so much had a JOB. But my favorite complaint is about how school has increased, yep the failure of feminism we increase the education our children receive. Yippee, we live in a country where most people can read. Shame on feminism shame! shame on you!

[FloraDoraDolly]

I am not familiar with the author of this piece, but so many of these fundie women are of the "do as I say and not as I do" variety. They preach the glories of stay-at-home motherhood, but they themselves are authors, lecturers, musical performers, TV personalities, or heads of conservative women's organizations. Maybe it's not the same as being employed at Wal-Mart or General Motors or the County Hospital, but they are working nonetheless. And with the advent of the stay-at-home daughter, they don't have to worry about child care like normal people do.

[kayray]

I ferl like this :roll: anytime someone starts telling me what is "masculine" or "feminine" and tells me or anyone what we should be doing to remain masculine or feminine. That whole sex role stereotyping drives me crazy and does not benefit or fit for anyone I know. Let me be me without telling me whether I fit your "woman mold". I can tell you right now I have no fucking interest in being a housewife and definitely not a mother, so there goes that idea. Staying at home birthing and raising babies, cooking dinner and making crafts sounds like my own personal hell.

Also, my husband is sensitive and extremely emotionally intuitive & intelligent, more likely the one to be sewing curtains and crafting, and made a much better househusband for the time he was unemployed than I could ever match as a housewife. He also has big strong muscles and served in the military. Enjoying or being one thing does not mean it must be at the exclusion of all other things or make someone less of a man, or woman. I have a career I adore, am the primary breadwinner, enjoy the outdoors and many athletic pursuits, but still enjoy being pampered with massages and the like. My womanhood is not threatened or at risk simply as I would rather train for an adventure race or win an important trial than crochet baby blankets or make casseroles.

Women who want to take on a more domestic role have every right to do so, but that does not mean every woman should have to do so. Nor should every man have to take on a "look at me BIG STRONG MAN" role.

[bellicosebroad]

Uh, No. I'm happily married for almost 30 years to an amazing person who happens to be 6'4", 200#, and at least 10 times more "delicate" than I could ever be. It's not that I "feel that it is not in her [my] nature." It's Not There. I am not delicate in any way, shape, or form. And that's _exactly_ how it's supposed to be.

These people would swoon at my life. DH and I split chores evenly depending on what we're good at (he's a better cook, and I have more patience with actually doing the laundry so that it gets clean ;-) ), we each earn and spend our own money except for what we split in shared expenses (and I keep track of our finances with my "pretty little head") ... and I haven't a dress, high heeled shoe, or pair of nylons in my wardrobe. The horror of it all.

[Glass Cowcatcher]

I have a facebook friend who is pretty active in LAF. She feels that feminism has forced women into colleges and workplaces against their will. When I asked how they are forced, it comes down to internal pressure. She wants to stay at home but has a bright mind and their family really needs another income. Welcome to life, lady. We all have to choose. Be thankful you *have* the choice. It's like she wants someone to force her to stay home so she does not have to feel guilty and useless.

People like your friend and the ladies quoted in the OP, to put it bluntly, don't know jack about history. It's always been a very small slice of society that has the financial ability to do the SAHM lifestyle. Since the industrial revolution women (and children before the eeebil socialists! pushed for labor laws) have worked outside the house, in one way or another. Before that, neither sex worked very far away from home, but women still worked their tails off.

[desertvixen]

What a bunch of bullshit. The feminist movement didn't force anyone to get a job and put their child in daycare. It simply gave women the right to choose. Some women chose to work, others chose to stay at home.

QFT. I don't care if other women stay home, work full-time, part-time - whatever works best for THAT woman and THAT family. I could NOT be a SAHM. Ten weeks after my daughter was born, I went back to work. And I was ready. Did taking her to daycare cause me a little wrench? Well, yes - but I have been incredibly lucky and always managed to find good arrangements. My daughter is incredibly outgoing, independent, and flexible.

I dare say the feminist movement also gave more freedom to men.

To an extent, yes. I also think that some of the issues feminism has worked for (better working conditions, better child care options, etc) benefit men and women. They benefit children.

[Glass Cowcatcher]

To an extent, yes. I also think that some of the issues feminism has worked for (better working conditions, better child care options, etc) benefit men and women. They benefit children.

It's fair to say that feminism has caused men to loose some freedoms. They are no longer free to beat their partners, deny women equal pay on gender alone, fire women because they have the potential to become pregnant, ect. Yeah, there's such a thing as being too free.

[Anxious Girl]

White fundie Christian men, think that they have lost their freedom to overpower women.

[FloraDoraDolly]

To an extent, yes. I also think that some of the issues feminism has worked for (better working conditions, better child care options, etc) benefit men and women. They benefit children.

And if a man loses his job, gets sick, becomes disabled, or needs to go back to school, it helps to have a wife who can support the family. The man has a true partner, not a dependent, and not someone who is capable of making it in the real world yet is being held back by society because she happens to be female.

[AtroposHeart]

Besides the sexims of this, the classism pisses me more off here is the face

POOR WOMEN HAVE ALWAYS WORKED

My ancestors were not pampered princess making dollies and having tea parties, they were out on the farm working up a sweat, like the men.

They ignoring of poor and lower class women historical role in this 'anti-feminist' movements is just so...ahg....

[Hane]

For the past three decades, I've had a "typical women's office job." The women I've worked with very often ensured that their husbands (many self-employed or otherwise without benefits) and kids had health coverage. I saw middle-class women's jobs go from the family's "extra" paycheck to one absolutely essential to the survival of a household.

That's just the middle-class women. Poorer women never had the option of deciding whether to work to provide household income.

[FloraDoraDolly]

For the past three decades, I've had a "typical women's office job." The women I've worked with very often ensured that their husbands (many self-employed or otherwise without benefits) and kids had health coverage. I saw middle-class women's jobs go from the family's "extra" paycheck to one absolutely essential to the survival of a household.

That's just the middle-class women. Poorer women never had the option of deciding whether to work to provide household income.

The kids had to work, too. In the "Little House" books, Laura sewed in the summer and taught school in the winter, all before she was sixteen years old. She gave all of her earnings to Ma and Pa so they could send Mary to the school for the blind. But Ma would sometimes give the money back to Laura and tell her to buy herself some new clothes or a nice hat. They didn't treat her like Lawson Bates.