Bell Hooks' Feminism is for Everybody is an easily accessible read that explores the roots of the feminist movement during the 60's. As a young woman entering college during the mid-60's, Iwitnessed a time of radical social upheaval. Men couldn't figure out why women were so angry, and a good number of women couldn't figure out why their "sisters" were so angry, either. Unfortunately, as Hooks points out in her introduction, "Mostly they think feminism is a bunch of angry women who want to be like men (xiii). Hooks takes the reader through a history of the movement from the 60's to publication in 2000, which for me was a real eye-opener.
Feminist theory is gender based, yet, contains the familiar elements of Marxist theory. Class struggle within the ranks of the women's movement was lost on me. That was a failing of the movement and an explaination of why after half a century, sexist thinking isn't exclusive to males-"females could be sexist as well" (3).
The implications for women were enormous. There was not a cohesive focus of all women benefitting from the movement as priviledged white women earned career equality to the men in their class. Those women perpetuated the sexist system by hiring minority women for domestic duties. As Hooks points out the early feminist movement "did not make economic self-sufficiency for women its primary goal" (54).
Hooks failed to connect the impact of women entering the work force in huge numbers, replacing men during World War II. Much of the feminist discontent came from these disillusioned middle-aged women during the 60's. As young women in the 40's they had economic independence and freedom. When the men returned, things never went back to "normal".
As Hooks points out "Everything we do in life is rooted in theory...there is also an underlying system shaping thought and practice" (19).
The sexual revolution was a backlash to male sexual domination but many women have discovered they weren't having much fun. They were rebelling against the symptoms, not the cause. A system in which both men and women tackle sexist thinking should be the focus of feminist theory.
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Thank you for pointing out the economic factors in WWII that impacted the feminist movement. There is a great deal of comfort in knowing that you have some measure of control over your circumstances. There is no wonder things could not go back to "normal." I've read about those same things elsewhere and also wondered myself why the toxicity of economic dependence wasn't addressed more. I have seen those women who have been expected to rely on their husbands to handle all matters financial and legal, who are sadly reduced to lost children upon the death of a spouse.
ReplyDeleteEven though hiring minority women for domestic chores may seem demeaning, for many it was this very opportunity that gave them a chance of having money that they could call their own for the first time. It was a start. It only became sad if it was also the finish. Money,education,and careers really only have significance and meaning in relationship with a command of personal destiny. A wealthy, educated, professional person is still not much more than a dollhouse toy if he/she is not really "calling the shots" regarding what the money is spent for, what they learn, and what satisfaction is derived from the employment. Joy is a sadly lacking element in theoretical discussions--including feminist discussions. Place where should not always outweigh place how.
ReplyDeleteI, too, am somewhat surprised she neglected the impact of WWII on the feminist movement...
ReplyDeleteRenee, that's a good point about the "dollhouse" toy...referencing Ibsen, perhaps?
I feel the points on WWII would either be assumed on the part of the reader, or if the reader doesn't already know about them, it would have just taken up space.
ReplyDeleteWhen women were forced out of the workplace or coerced through lower wages, it was surely disheartening, but at the time, that WAS the norm. More importantly, a shocking amount of women chose to return home. The minority of working class women were those who stayed in the workforce and faced the instant inequality when soldiers returned. I thought about it too but I feel it wouldn't have done much for her quick-and-to-the-point discussion.
Most women who are in the workforce work because they have to to survive economically. Social class determines how females experience stages of womanhood.
ReplyDeleteYou said "A system in which both men and women tackle sexist thinking should be the focus of feminist theory." But, how will this happen when majority of males, and some females are not interested in a change. We still have a double-standard and no one really seems to care. So how will this ever be accomplished? I think the females of the time were doing the best with what they had
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