ramblin_ag02 said:
Quote:
Yes, which is why I think it's dangerous to generalize about "feminism".
Yet another reason these discussion hurt my head. Gender, aside from sex, is really a meaningless concept in our society. Maybe in the 1950s America or somewhere like Saudi Arabia gender is more defined, but in modern America it really isn't. So I find it difficult to understand how the meaningless concept of "male" is somehow less appropriate for someone than the meaningless concept of "female".
I also disagree here.
There may no longer be a "correct" definition of gender in our society, meaning, in contrast, that there is no "incorrect" definition of gender either.
However, that does not mean that the typical or traditional definition no longer has any meaning.
Put me in the camp that desires women to unapologetically and proudly embody a more traditional female role. That doesn't mean barefoot and pregnant, to use a derogatory phrase. I want (and have) a woman who partners with me in my endeavors, provides that foundation of comfort and support, but is still confident in her personhood and her individuality.
My favorite movie character wife that embodies this is the wife of Cuba Gooding Jr.s character in Jerry MacGuire. She has very few lines, but he character comes through so well anyways.
She smacks her nephew brutally upside the head (I think with her shoe, right), when he makes a negative comment about her husband's abilities, scolds her kid for using improper language, and encourages her husband to work hard and be brave when it comes to his job and contract negotiations. To me, that is all woman right there; 100% grade A wife.
However, that dynamic doens't bleed over into economic roles. I help my wife with her job a ton, not by giving her encouragement so much as letting her vent daily. She always feels better when I let her talk to me about what crappy happened that day, and doesn't really help her much if I tell her to shake it off, and that tomorrow will be another day (which is exactly what she tells me). If my wife became a famous lecturer on child development, for example (something she studies a lot, and we talk about a lot), I would have no problem quitting my job and supporting her career. I can provide more logistical support for her career, continue to sooth her during rants, and she could become my pillar of strength as I work on developing a lower golf handicap. That would be awesome.
tl;dr
I think that there is a difference between "gender is meaningless" and "gender is rigidly defined." I prefer to work inside a more traditional definition of gender. YMMV.