There's a whole camp of articles out there about neo-feminism - a brand that incorporates that "burn the bra" attitude of the sixties with the frilly-aproned home-maker of the fifties. I've even read one about a soccer mom who proudly didn't shave her armpits. But I haven't yet read one by a young woman, so I'd like to clarify here what I mean about embracing traditional womanhood.
I always thought I was a stalwart, no-holds-barred feminist...until I had my first really good relationship. I discovered very quickly that I love feeling small, having doors opened for me, and doing petty errands for my man. I like being treated like "the fairer sex," and, as a control-freak, I really like having at least some of my decisions made for me. Also, frankly, it's a relief to be almost certainly headed for a non-cutthroat (read: enjoyable) but secondary-income profession.
Women like to say "I don't need a man!" and I totally agree. I don't actually need a man, but having one makes everything that much more wonderful. I like having my uber rational boyfriend around to 'okay' my more emotionally-fueled decisions. We function as a team, sure, but I ultimately defer to him because he is, more often than not, right.
So why is this so disgusting for most people, especially fellow women? Why can't Ivoluntarily cede control to a benevolent dictator who happens to love me? Why can't I want to be a mother and have food on the table for my husband when he comes home? This is my choice, and it has brought me so much peace. I absolutely advocate for women in the boardroom and at the helm...but I'm definitely not one of those women.
I never want to be androgynous; I like feeling little and pretty, and I enjoy being allowed to cry and squeal girlishly. Sure, I can make gross jokes with my (mostly male) close friends, but at the end of the day I'm a cat-fanatic who collects jewelry, and a girlfriend who likes vacuuming her boyfriend's room for him.
At its core, mainstream feminism is about personal choice. So, by choosing to embrace traditional gender roles in lieu of being locked into them, I'm ultimately exercising the free will that bra-burners and suffragettes forged for us. At any moment, I could change my mind and pursue a big-shot career.
I always thought I was a stalwart, no-holds-barred feminist...until I had my first really good relationship. I discovered very quickly that I love feeling small, having doors opened for me, and doing petty errands for my man. I like being treated like "the fairer sex," and, as a control-freak, I really like having at least some of my decisions made for me. Also, frankly, it's a relief to be almost certainly headed for a non-cutthroat (read: enjoyable) but secondary-income profession.
Women like to say "I don't need a man!" and I totally agree. I don't actually need a man, but having one makes everything that much more wonderful. I like having my uber rational boyfriend around to 'okay' my more emotionally-fueled decisions. We function as a team, sure, but I ultimately defer to him because he is, more often than not, right.
So why is this so disgusting for most people, especially fellow women? Why can't Ivoluntarily cede control to a benevolent dictator who happens to love me? Why can't I want to be a mother and have food on the table for my husband when he comes home? This is my choice, and it has brought me so much peace. I absolutely advocate for women in the boardroom and at the helm...but I'm definitely not one of those women.
I never want to be androgynous; I like feeling little and pretty, and I enjoy being allowed to cry and squeal girlishly. Sure, I can make gross jokes with my (mostly male) close friends, but at the end of the day I'm a cat-fanatic who collects jewelry, and a girlfriend who likes vacuuming her boyfriend's room for him.
At its core, mainstream feminism is about personal choice. So, by choosing to embrace traditional gender roles in lieu of being locked into them, I'm ultimately exercising the free will that bra-burners and suffragettes forged for us. At any moment, I could change my mind and pursue a big-shot career.
I love to work, and I'll always need some sort of job, but can't I say that I want to be a good wife without
