Spring Break
Palin is at odds with feminist ideals
Issue date: 10/9/08
Much of Palin's appeal is that she seems fundamentally unscathed by what Glamour magazine termed as the "Mommy wars." She calls herself a "hockey mom," yet seems to have no qualms about running for one of the nation's highest offices with five children, one of whom is expecting her own, at home. This makes many women, who themselves have suffered through choices between family and career feel at once belittled and enraged by a woman who they see as flouting her familial obligations while touting her own family as an asset.
It is that Palin's family and motherhood have been made so central to her character and campaign that make her so interesting, and often despicable, to women across the country. During the month of September, scarcely a day went by that I didn't receive a forwarded e-mail from my mother, aunts or one of their friends decrying Palin as a threat to the women's rights that their generation found so dear.
These women, all of whom consider themselves feminists, find the nomination of Palin offensive. They believe that she was chosen in "shameless pandering," as one e-mail put it, to win women voters simply by virtue of Palin's sex. We feel that Palin has been trotted out by the Republican party as the new prototype of a powerful woman in America - and it's not one that we want to live with. According to the Palin model, motherhood, family and politics all exist in so comfortable and close proximity that the domains bleed into each other and motherhood and "family values" themselves becomes perhaps the most important and only viable reason to elect a woman.
Palin's stance on abortion is particularly significant in this election, as up to five Supreme Court Justices are seen as likely to leave the bench during the next four to eight years. Palin has frequently criticized Roe vs. Wade, and many women's groups fret that should McCain and Palin win the White House, we would see the appointment of socially conservative justices liable to overturn the landmark 1973 decision.
The idea that government should be able to deny individuals the right to either use or not use a life-altering technology is offensive. Abortion is a sensitive and personal issue, even those who call themselves "pro-choice" don't always agree that abortions are a good decision for an individual. I respect others' religious views, but they should in no way enter into the governing process, and I'm getting nervous that starting in January, they might.
As a non-militant liberal feminist who does indeed shave her legs, I am voting for Obama, and against Palin more so than McCain, and I hope that other women my age, feminists or not, will do the same. As we come of age in a society that is tumultuous enough as it is, I think we all need paths to prominence for women that do not include touting childbearing and hockey ring cheering skills as essential resumé-builders.
It is that Palin's family and motherhood have been made so central to her character and campaign that make her so interesting, and often despicable, to women across the country. During the month of September, scarcely a day went by that I didn't receive a forwarded e-mail from my mother, aunts or one of their friends decrying Palin as a threat to the women's rights that their generation found so dear.
These women, all of whom consider themselves feminists, find the nomination of Palin offensive. They believe that she was chosen in "shameless pandering," as one e-mail put it, to win women voters simply by virtue of Palin's sex. We feel that Palin has been trotted out by the Republican party as the new prototype of a powerful woman in America - and it's not one that we want to live with. According to the Palin model, motherhood, family and politics all exist in so comfortable and close proximity that the domains bleed into each other and motherhood and "family values" themselves becomes perhaps the most important and only viable reason to elect a woman.
Palin's stance on abortion is particularly significant in this election, as up to five Supreme Court Justices are seen as likely to leave the bench during the next four to eight years. Palin has frequently criticized Roe vs. Wade, and many women's groups fret that should McCain and Palin win the White House, we would see the appointment of socially conservative justices liable to overturn the landmark 1973 decision.
The idea that government should be able to deny individuals the right to either use or not use a life-altering technology is offensive. Abortion is a sensitive and personal issue, even those who call themselves "pro-choice" don't always agree that abortions are a good decision for an individual. I respect others' religious views, but they should in no way enter into the governing process, and I'm getting nervous that starting in January, they might.
As a non-militant liberal feminist who does indeed shave her legs, I am voting for Obama, and against Palin more so than McCain, and I hope that other women my age, feminists or not, will do the same. As we come of age in a society that is tumultuous enough as it is, I think we all need paths to prominence for women that do not include touting childbearing and hockey ring cheering skills as essential resumé-builders.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
leslie
posted 10/10/08 @ 12:16 AM EST
My dear, if you feel "belittled and enraged" because of Sarah Palin, my guess is you were enraged long before her--and my heart goes out to you. However, you are quite wrong--Sarah Palin is redefining feminism in a distinct and marked way, and she is changing the public consciousness. (Continued…)
D
posted 10/10/08 @ 3:12 PM EST
Hillary isnt frumpy but professional. If she looks tired its because she is working hard. Sarah Palin looks like a church lady. She should open up another button on her shirts and free up that bee hive hair a little. (Continued…)
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