Kai Myers: Valenti (Pages 1-60)

Kai Myers

8-27-14

Professor Soyoung Park

Women’s Studies

 Full Frontal Feminism

        Full Frontal Feminism by Jessica Valenti holds nothing back in its approach (in that regard, its title is very appropriate). Valenti debunks the myths behind feminism and applauds its open availability to the public with modern innovations such as the internet. The widespread use of social media has increasingly exposed the concept of feminism to young, impressionable women across the globe with a single click of a button. “And this is what’s amazing about online feminism— ten years ago, if a woman was reading a feminist publication it was because she already identified as a feminist. Now, young people find feminism accidentally or randomly— through online searches and social media— all the time” (Valenti, 6). Women no longer have to be feminists in order to be informed, and they are more likely to make informed decisions based on the information they come across. 

        As a result of this new source of knowledge, myths such as how “feminism is seen as super anti” (Valenti, 7) should be more easily disproven. The word feminism has such a strong negative connotation, however. Feminists are supposedly seen as ugly, hairy, and just overall unattractive women. Is this the case for all feminists? Of course not (and for the record, it is totally cool to look just the way you want to, if it makes you happy). 

        Still, Valenti writes that being called ugly is a type of fear-tactic that is very effective in keeping women away from feminism and feminists alike. Being ugly, in a lot of terms, means being unwanted, and no one wants to feel that way. As for feminism being dead? If women are still being treated like sexual objects, feeling unwanted, stressed to perform for men, underpaid and under-appreciated, then there is still a need for feminism, more specifically, radical feminism.

        Please, take a look at the video above.

This is an extremely recent video. Is there still a need for feminism? You bet.

                                       Thoughts on Reading: Shaw and Lee (1-22)

         The first few pages of this reading discuss the definition of women's studies. So, what is it exactly? Surprisingly, to a few, women's studies is not simply about the study of said women.

         It is to be noted that it has a much more broad scope of topics and intermingling components. The different cultural, historical, and ethnic upbringings that people are exposed to can create several layers of conflict with the subjection of women. Women's studies concern a wide spectrum of classifications, ranging from gender studies as well as research on what it means to be a human, man, woman, or otherwise, in society. 

        For example, modern society as a whole believes that the way people treat and portray women as objects women is absolutely normal. The United States is no exception, although there are less large amounts of violence towards women; it is more common to see quantities of targeted individuals than groups. Still, while the theory that this nation's treatment of women greatly contrasts with that of outside countries is somewhat misleading. As an American citizen, I see the unjust treatment of women through a nation that is more materialistic as well as individualistic. Women will alter themselves, physically, mentally, and so forth, for the approval of (a) male figure(s). Why is this? At least in relation to the United States, the media has set the standard that such behavior is completely normal for women.

        How did this all begin? It could be said for all that the abuse of women and their rights as human beings was created by historical events and is now defended by cultural norms (such as the enforcement of the gender binary). 

       As a woman, I cannot help but feel frustrated that society has allowed itself to become a structure which give men, specifically white males, the most privilege. The specific term for this concept is called patriarchy. "A key term for women's studies writers and activists is patriarchy, defined as a system where men dominate because power and authority are in the hands of adult men", (Shaw, Lee, 6). This is not to be said that men do not have struggles of their own and that they do not suffer from oppression. They do. Regardless, the gaps of privilege between men, women, ethnic minorities and those who consider themselves gender deviant are far too large to ignore.

       From these divisions of power came movements of human rights, and from those came feminism. Not surprisingly, feminism is also not what most believes it to be. The many misconceptions of it are as follows: "Many people, groups, and institutions have attempted to discredit feminism (and therefore women's studies) in other ways...  Feminists are angry, whiny women who have an exe to grind, no sense of humor, and who exaggerate discrimination against women; feminists hate men..." (Shaw, Lee, 16). This, of course, not at all true and is usually a ploy to frighten women and others away from becoming feminists. Ultimately, these scare tactics prevent people from learning more about women's studies.