You can still be a feminist in four-inch heels

Eric says:

07:01am | 27/08/09

Feminism is not about equality. It’s about creating advantages for women and putting men down.

Hence, feminism is fashion-neutral. As long as you’re hostile to men, you’re a feminist.

Liz says:

08:37am | 27/08/09

Too right we can’t afford infighting,still so much to be done.Feminism has always rebadged itself,nothing new there.When today’s generation of women give credit to the women who preceeded them and made the progress they take for granted today,we’ll know we’re getting somewhere.
Ps Naomi Wolff and Gloria Steinem aren’t ugly!

pete b says:

08:39am | 27/08/09

Many women I consider ‘enlightened’ or that did/gave huge things in the world,  didn’t wear Chanel. Or look like a mannequin. Has the machine taken you? 30 might be a good time to escape. Although as a man, feminine clothes can be stylish and gorgeous - mostly when when I see women in their high-end Barbie Doll gear, I run. If I see them doing the funny ostrich head movements, when trying to walk with heels and tight dresses, or I see collagen lips, I ready my wooden stake. To be fair, android guys in clone suits are just as brainless and unquestioning ‘fashion’ victims of cultural correctness. Manipulation of sheeple is big business. If wearing heals or pretending to be glamourous makes you feel better about being unequal, knock yourself out sister.Image is everything.

Joel B1 says:

08:39am | 27/08/09

“When I put on a pair of Christian Louboutin pumps, I am not betraying my gender”
Of course you are! By supporting the womens fashion industry you’re inherently supporting hegemonic and stereotypical views of women.
(You know it’s about feminism ‘cause of the big words right?)

David says:

08:44am | 27/08/09

This will ‘’ stir the possum ‘’ .
Why did the woman cross the road ?
Answer ... For a start , she had no business being on the road , she should have been in the kitchen where she belongs .
Well , I’m waiting ........

Dude says:

09:00am | 27/08/09

I wonder if women would wear high heels if they knew why they were introduced. Which as a bloke I appreciate and give thanks. There was a time when feminism stood for a sign of intelligence.

Nik says:

09:19am | 27/08/09

It’s so confusing being a scrutinised woman
expecially when you find out yourself
as a mutton dressed up as lamb!

Women dress for other women: that’s so true
like feminism is all about choice.

You’re right, the battle is definitely not over yet,
the world still need feminism and its battle for
rights.

I love your article, so entrataining and
deep in the same time.
Thanks Gillian.

Jake Zanoni says:

09:22am | 27/08/09

The problem is that since the 1960’s, radical feminism has replaced liberal feminism as the dominant theory, in terms of ‘word ownership’.

While liberal feminism has progressed very much over the last two centuries to the point where most people ‘male and female’ would agree with its tenets, radical feminism is the theory that most people think of when they think of the word ‘feminism’.

I think, and as the author seems to be suggesting, it is a matter of reasserting ownership of the term.

http://www.pimpinforfreedom.wordpress.com

Sally says:

09:37am | 27/08/09

As a young woman, and honours student at university I do not have the time nor the money to pursue an interest in fashion. This does not mean that I cannot dress well or look beautiful. Put simply have more important things to do (such as study, exercise, cook, work, and do housework) than read fashion magazines and go shopping for overpriced frivolous items.

I have seen friends drop out of uni to work full time in cafes and bars to pay off credit card debt due to following their ‘passion for fashion’. In this sense fashion oppresses women.

Sadhbh says:

09:57am | 27/08/09

Feminism is indeed about choices and the freedom to make them. Well done, Gillian, for reminding us.

@eric Misandry is the word you are looking for, it refers to an irrational hatred of men or boys.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misandry

Stone Rhino says:

10:09am | 27/08/09

“…if you asked most females whether they believed in equal rights for women, they would probably respond back with a resounding yes”

There is a difference between equal rights and protectionism. Empowerment for females comes via protectionism and being the victim. As long females generally continue being a victim, society will treat them as such and they will not be empowered, merely protected. This article is about being a victim and it is being written by a feminist!

Feminism is a myth and unless equality can be attained among the males of the species, how can equality between the male and female genders be attained?

Fry says:

10:14am | 27/08/09

How sad for you Eric, that you’ve encountered feminism in such a negative way?

Feminism isn’t, and shouldn’t be, about putting men down.

Those that belittle men in the name of ‘feminism’ are blackening its very purpose - equal footing and equal rights.

I love that I live in a time when I am free to make my own choices about my life, and I am not judged for my choice to focus on my career before my husband and I start a family. And when we do, he and I will share the experience and the workload that comes with it.

For me, the feminist movement has reinforced the most important human right; freedom of choice.

Grant says:

10:19am | 27/08/09

This is such a non issue… 

If you wish to take the frame of mind of the victim, it really doesn’t help..  move forward, no one cares if your a woman or not in the working world, take ownership for your own outcomes. 

The whole issue relating to a woman earning less than man is a red herring.  Women don’t “earn less” than men, they “work less” hours due to family and children and hence earn less overall.  It’s about how many hours are actually worked. 

Job descriptions don’t specify for man or woman, it’s on the persons qualifications.  Take responsibility for your own destiny and stop holding yourself back.

Voxpop says:

10:21am | 27/08/09

Notice how men like Eric accuse women of being man haters and deride using terms like feminazi etc.  Well these are the very same men who as you read into their views further show just how much they hate and despise women.  They claim that the middle class white male is the most discriminated against.  This will usually stem from a divorce particularly where child custody is concerned and while I empathise with their frustrations and perceived unfairness it’s just a little unbalanced to be so toxic - a bit of venting is good but some just take it too far.

bella says:

10:24am | 27/08/09

I think it’s unwise to give to mach weight to what Karl Lagerfeld says.
He is very tounge in cheek and a complete provocateur.

In terms of whether you can engage in fashion and still believe in feminism… WELL.

I am a firm believer in the power of the aesthetic. Every person crafts an image for themselves whether it be dirty old jeans and work boots or 4 inch heels, we are all portraying ourselves to the outside world in a way we wish to be seen.

No one wakes up in the morning and says i’m going to put on something i hate just so i can show those fashionable folk what for. If a woman chooses to wear clothes that cost a fortune, thats her perogative, just as its a middle aged man’s to wear reef sandles.

pc says:

10:24am | 27/08/09

Fry I think youre right, “Feminism isn’t, and shouldn’t be, about putting men down. ” But what about Eric? Surely there is something sinister about men, or schooloys in Erics case, that live in industrialised countries and prattle on about the advantages and power they fantasise women to have.

S says:

10:25am | 27/08/09

Fashion is made by women, for women ,to be seen by other women.

Men aren’t involved - most men couldn’t tell you if a woman’s dress was a brand name or from Target, and chances are they they wont even notice what footwear that you are wearing (I personally hate heels for the damage they do to the spine and legs, but as I guy , it’s easy to avoid wearing them).

Now if feminism is about equal rights between the genders, I struggle to see how fashion is an issue for feminism. Men have their own equivalent bases for judging each other i.e muscles, sports etc. Even the male fashion industry is aimed at women (getting them to buy things for their partner).

In my observation, the word feminism remains tied to the militant, aggressive feminists of the 60s who were crusading against men. Due to the socio-political environment it was, by necessity, an adversarial movement. Inevitably there was a certain degree of alienation (for men) in connection with the movement. That was enshrined in the name “Feminism”, which is necessarily linked to the rights of women.

If the movement, want’s to progress the rights of all people to be treated equally it should adopt a more neutral name such as humanism - note the way that the “Civil rights” movement (in relation to race), moved from being a movement for “the rights of coloured people” (as it once was considered), and when it made it to the public focus it became the “Civil rights” movement (and lost the militant reputation). The movement started long before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, and the then little known Dr Martin Luther King Jr took up the cause. They ensured that it’s name was separated from the ‘colour’ debate - Perhaps feminist should follow that lead and let go of the old flag and rejoin under the banner of an Equal Rights movement - with due consideration to the rights of all people to be treated equally?

Hugh Tranter says:

10:26am | 27/08/09

I think Gillian is absolutely right. Men and women like to express their own style - its part of their personality - if a guy comes to work with a bright pink shirt and tie, they are not going to get comments all day - well they might (!), but they will be at surface level only, and people in the workplace enjoy having a bit of fashion around the workplace.

So feminism and fashion should not be in conflict. I would hazard a guess and say that there are many feminists who would support Gillian’s view - e.g. one writer who springs to mind is Fay Weldon, who in her book What Makes Women Happy is pretty upfront about combining feminism with what women want in life.

cheers Hugh

Zeta says:

10:28am | 27/08/09

Eric, if you were a real man, than no insubstantial philosophical concept like feminism could keep you down. Let’s face it. A bunch of hairy academics (I’m thinking in particular of my own undergrad Women’s Studies lecturer, the approrpriately named Professor Moustache) could really be putting down an entire gender that has stamped itself all over global culture for several thousand years.

And Fry, it’s not about equality, equality is just another word for Communism. Life has always been about the mad scramble to the top, and for millenia, that scramble has been populated exclusively by blokes. Which is all right, I don’t mind the company of my own gender, but when you’ve reached the lofty heights of life, you look down and wish for some better competition. That’s why I whole heartedly endorse feminism. Widens the field of competitors. And if they look great while scrapping in the halls of buisness and politics all the better.

What rankles me isn’t feminism. I wouldn’t keep the company of a woman who wasn’t one, I’d rather have a chinwag with former NSW Legislative Council President Meredith Burghman on the libertarian philosophy of the Sydney Push than talk about vapid celebrities with some Vuiton hangbag wielding bit of fluff. It’s political correctness. I don’t think I should have to change my behaviour, which, to be fair, can be pretty poor with regard to the fairier sex, just because some academic tells me so. Unless that academic happens to be Germaine Greer, because she’s an absolute fox.

Voxpop says:

10:30am | 27/08/09

Grant - yes I know it’s not right to compare a hairdresser to a tradie BUT just one example a female lawyer with exactly the same level of experience and same qualifications working same hours in same business gets paid significantly less.

Matt Worthington says:

10:33am | 27/08/09

The only task western femanist women have left is to ensure there are more female garbo’s, truck drivers, labourors, prisoners, homeless and front line soldiers Then you will be truly equal…

How bout you stop worrying about fashion (which only shit people care about and judge) and go help some backwards countries liberate their women.

While western women are out getting pissed every night, swearing and carrying on like blokes. There are women in the world being tortured, raped, assulted and opressed in ways such as wearing covering clothing.

You say,
“Feminists paved the way so I could vote, work for a living and have rights in the workplace, protection against domestic violence, sexual harassment and rape, reproductive rights, access to education and own property. Textbook definitions aside, feminism for me is all about choices - the choice to be a career woman, stay at home mother, working mother or indeed not to be a mother at all.”

Thats right, western women are liberated so how bout getting off your but and fight to ensure the other 90% of women in the world get the same freedoms. Instead of worrying about if a female CEO gets paid 45 billion instead of 50 billion like her horrid male counterpart.

Eric says:

10:38am | 27/08/09

I like the way that Voxpop and Zeta can only reply to my points by way of personal abuse. It shows that they have no real arguments to make.

Men are discriminated against in health, justice, family law, education and the media. Fewer boys than girls graduate high school or go on to university, yet there are scholarship programmes for females but not for males. Women live seven years longer than men, yet there is more specific research on women’s health than men’s health. Women are the majority of the population.

I could go on, but anyone who could be bothered to do a bit of research without prejudice will come to see that things are not as portrayed in the media.

MarK says:

10:40am | 27/08/09

Yes of course you can!
But it means addmitting that all that crap (womens fashion)
Is stuff you wanted all along,
had bugger all to do with men,
So you’d have to stop blaming us for it

T says:

10:46am | 27/08/09

Eric –

In all seriousness, when are you going to link your postulated neo gender imbalance to the current level of violence in Australia….?

Chi says:

10:54am | 27/08/09

I’ve stopped using the term ‘feminist’ ever since a friend of mine was told she can’t be a feminist because she’s not a lesbian. The word has been so distorted that today’s idea of feminism bears little resemblance to the women who fought so hard for their right to an education and a career, for their right to choose family or work, or both.

Nowadays we get told by other feminists that we can’t be a feminist if we wear high heels or skirts, or are attracted to men.

I’ve always thought of feminism as being a fight for opportunities, not a case of women against men, or something that necessitates the subjugation of males.

I will continue to fight for equal opportunities, not only for women in the workplace, but for men in the family courts, where they have long been discriminated against, and for immigrants to integrate into society, something that is less accepted now than it was in the fifties when my mother’s family came here.

Eric says:

10:58am | 27/08/09

T: When I think there’s some sort of link.

Though it is worth noting that three out of four victims of violence are men, yet we don’t have any government campaigns to “Stop Violence Against Men”.

Emily says:

11:00am | 27/08/09

I do not think femenisim is going away. It never will but it is definetly quieter because women in modern australia have the ability to choose. I happen to come across the miss universe response to whether woman’s choice’s and views of woman’s place in the world. Her response was a confident we are there already have the choice and treated with respect. I believe this especially applies for the younger generations.

There are some cultures and countries around the world that unfortunetly still have these issues. However, this is slowly changing and we can set positive examples.

Voxpop says:

11:05am | 27/08/09

Eric read my post again - that wasn’t personal abuse I was generalising based on what I’ve read in the blogs.

But I did beat you to the punch didn’t I - steal your thunder a bit?

Matt Worthington says:

11:07am | 27/08/09

I agree with you Eric.

However you need to remember that once a male reaches puberty his life becomes worthless. Every day he gets older he becomes even more worthless and a suspect for any horrific act.. Or so the media and certain elements in society will make us believe.

Trying to reason with these type of pepole is like trying to reason with the gestapo.

Claire says:

11:12am | 27/08/09

Men don’t hate women, men fear women.

Amanda says:

11:12am | 27/08/09

Gillian, your statements about choices and valuing individuals would be more relevant,  if you had not a few paragraphs up deliberately marginalised women who do not fit the fashionista stereotype (“dress like a man”). 

I guarantee you, however problematic you feel a decision to wear heels has been made to be,  the woman who doesn’t want to wear lipstick or infantilise herself with shaving catches a lot more heat in society. 

The public feminist who fits the beauty stereotypes are many and frankly uncontroversial in feminist conversation circa 2009, but try being on TV with even slightly hairy armpits showing and you’ll really know rejection and abuse.

A says:

11:27am | 27/08/09

I think everyone, male or female has the right to do what makes them happy.I get upset sometimes because I’m greatfull for what feminists have done for us in the past but because I choose to be a mother and wife(because it makes me happier than a career ever did) I somehow am looked down upon by feminists and these are the same women who supposedly wanted me to be happy with my life.I’ve always respected the highly educated career woman(like my mother),why don’t I get the same courtesy?

As for the unequal pay that’s a really straight forward issue.We do not have maternity leave in this country(on a broad level) so it’s logical to assume that most men at one point or another are going to be the sole providers for their family while his wife is pregnant/new mother, so until we have a national maternity scheme it makes scene to me for men to be payed just a tiny bit more for that “rainy day”.I agree with Matt Worthington, whats the point of arguing whether or not a female CEO gets her millions when so many other women out there in the world need our help.

Western women have been liberated and all that I see going on with current feminism is a struggle for power not rights. Maybe I’ve got the wrong end of the stick,I don’t know, but I consider feminism to be a non issue,we are liberated end of story.There are others on this planet who need our help and support more than your standard western woman.Maybe we should be talking about them instead of ourselves for once.

Jayne says:

11:27am | 27/08/09

Zeta, poor behaviour isn’t just about being politically incorrect, it’s about making women feel uncomfortable. I like your attitude and that you appreciate attractive women but I am well sick and tired of middle aged men making comments about my goodies. Makes my skin crawl.

Grant says:

11:31am | 27/08/09

Voxpop

Why are you comparing a hairdresser to a tradie?  Do you assume a tradie is a man and that a tradie is a woman tsk tsk…

They are entirely different jobs, if a male tradie and a female tradie are doing the same job they will get paid the same, if a male hairdresser and female hairdresser are doing the same job they will get paid the same…  I don’t understand what you mean.

In regards to your comments about Lawyers, yes there is a gender wage gap.  However, there are substantial reasons for this, which aren’t due to discrimination.  The fundamental differences between men and women include parental leave requirements and the availability of child care which affect gender wage gaps and gaps across the top of wage distribution between genders.

Women’s time out of workforce for childbearing can result in a relatively lower experience captial and non attachment to a firm and can extend the average gender pay gap.  Typically men can work longer hours which can also exacerbate gender pay gaps towards men at the top of the wage distribution, and finally can include something as simple as women might being be less aggressive in asking for pay rises.

Eric says:

11:35am | 27/08/09

Chi: Now that’s an attitude of real equality. There should be a name for some sort of gender equity movement. Unfortunately, “humanism” is already taken, and “equalism” just sounds silly.

Voxpop: You’re wrong on both counts.

Claire: Thanks for demonstrating a little more feminist misandry.

pc says:

11:36am | 27/08/09

Matt Worthington You have inspired me - if only I’d heard someone be as self righteous a schoolboy before I would have raised a revolutionary womens army and freed all the oppressed women of the world. Oh thats right I have heard it before. Its like all the other self righteous rightards ignorant enough to think their oedipal persecution complexes are something more real than their contrived exasperation.

S says:

11:37am | 27/08/09

@Voxpop (at 10:30am) - I will have to disagree with you there. It’s my experience that those who spend more time in the office and are seen to ‘give up more’ for the company that get paid more. Traditionally that is men (and relationships suffer for it - hence talk about absentee husbands and fathers), however increasingly women are willing to go make those same sacrifices (admittedly they face the ire of other women for doing so).

After 8 years as a lawyer in with the same employer I am confident that men and women are treated equally and are paid equally for equal positions within the organisation - especially in lower and middle levels. I’ve discussed this many time with my wife and she agrees that she has seen the same thing in her professional life.

Higher up it appears to be the case that those that have have put something else above their career (such as taking time out for travel, to have a family or look after an elderly relative), are paid less than those that have chosen their career above all else (and it appears that the time they have spent away from work determines how far behind they are on the pay scale-and they will be constantly playing catch up).

As an employee I agree that those who put career first (make sacrifices for the career) should be rewarded accordingly. Loyalty and commitment should be rewarded just as much as hard work, experience and qualifications.

Matt Worthington says:

11:44am | 27/08/09

I love you A, lol

Your a wonderful example of a true liberated woman, who I believe is actually the majority of women.

You say,
“Western women have been liberated and all that I see going on with current feminism is a struggle for power not rights”

That perfectly sums up whats going on at the moment with the feminists.
Its not about liberation anymore its about power otherwise they would try to help the other 90% of earths women who are truly oppressed.

Gibbot says:

11:46am | 27/08/09

I think Matt & Eric might have a touch of giney envy.

Matt Worthington says:

11:51am | 27/08/09

PC,

I wish I was intelligent enough to undersand your insult.

When you have done some peacekeeping and seen the opression with your own eyes, then get back to me.

Kelly says:

11:56am | 27/08/09

There are some great points made on here, and the article is a very interesting read, thank you Gillian.
We are fortunate in many ways as Australian women, yet there are still many causes worth standing up for in our society in regards to the safety, perception and equality of women. It’s never been about ‘feminism’ for me, it’s more about anyone with a moral compass wanting people to have the same oppurtunities, and not be physically or emotionally oppressed because of gender.
Eric - I feel a little sorry for you. You dont seem to have genuine arguments, so much as a rather large chip on your shoulder.
To all the men who are secure in themselves, and like the women they care about to be happy, god bless you.

Joan says:

12:02pm | 27/08/09

“Why is it that feminism and fashion seem to be mutually exclusive?”  The reason is that so-called feminism wants women to be men, and men generally aren’t into fashion in the same way women are.

The big problem with so-called feminists is that they see everything that is male-oriented to be good/desirable and everything that is female-oriented to be bad/undesirable, and so want to make women the same as men.

BUT, there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with being a woman.  It is GOOD to be a woman (if you are a woman).  It is quite okay to be different.  Different doesn’t mean better or worse, or superior or inferior;  it just means different.  Why can’t we celebrate the differences between the genders and make the most of our complementary skills and traits?

Pier Pier says:

12:13pm | 27/08/09

I had a woman once who was very aggressive and dominating. She would start an aguement and would not stop until you cracked and told her to shut up or piss off. Then it was really on, she would start to threaten to call police and I was a bully male bastard, who was abusive.
She just couldnt wait to be a victim and be seen as one. It is the ultimate abuse of man i think, to abuse him then tell the world it is him that is the abuser. All this is taught to her by the feminazis. Are there any real women left out there?

Jodie says:

12:21pm | 27/08/09

Feminism and other struggles for equality are not just about rights they are about power. Just because theoretically I have the right to do something does not mean I have the actual power or ability to make it so. This is the difference between equality of rights, and actual equality of outcomes.
I have always wanted not just equal rights but more equal outcomes in every area from gender equality to race equality and other types of discrimination.

Eric, yes men are often victims of violence, this violence in the vast majority is perpetrated by other men. Most violence against women is also perpetrated by men. Domestic violence, rape and child abuse are about power.

What most men who have negative views of feminism, and some feminists fail to recognise is that the ‘Patriarchy’ feminists struggle against does not benefit all men equally either. Dismantling the patriarchy will not only benefit women but also most men. As a very simple example, if women are to be freed from the shackles of domesticity and family; then men will also be freed from the bonds of providing and ‘breadwinning’. Of course by free I mean the freedom to choose to what most suits the individual or partnership. If a woman wants to be emersed in domesticity and family and is partnered with a man who wants to ‘provide’ then that is their legitimate choice.

Dorian says:

12:23pm | 27/08/09

Voxpop, If a Male and Female Lawyer are working the same hours, with the same qualifcations and they’re NOT getting paid the same amount….Wouldn’t that be discrimination, which would be agains’t the law? I’m only asking this because I thought a Lawyer would be the most qualified to argue a case like that….and If you can’t even argue your own pay with your boss…...and you can guess the rest

Gillian says:

12:40pm | 27/08/09

I just had to stop reading a glossy magazine to read some of these comments. I’m a bit disappointed no one has commented on my photo. It took at least 12 photos, a wind blowing machine and a can of hairspray to achieve that natural look.

This is not meant to be an ‘us’ and ‘them’ debate between women who choose to wear makeup or those who don’t but a woman’s right to choice.

In regards to western women being liberated and there is no need for feminism, reading comments on forums in regards to the Matty John’s incident showed me that in fact, Australians may in fact be regressing. There were a lot of comments saying that if Clare was indeed raped, then Clare ‘asked for it’ because she was dressed in a certain manner, because she was flirtatious, sexually aggressive or she agreed to have sex with one or two football players and not necessarily a whole football team. We’re never going to know the specifics of what happened but I was very disappointed by the general attitude of women who made these comments.

We cannot afford to regress or rest on our laurels. We must always be moving forward because as I said, the fight for women’s rights is far from over. 

http://www.30isthenewblack.com

pc says:

12:51pm | 27/08/09

Matt Worthington, So you were a peackeeper? DId you learn anything or did you just wake up one morning with the incredible realisation that feminism was to blame for world inequality? I’ll keep it simple Mat. I do not believe that white women can save brown women. For that matter I dont think that white men can save brown women. Since white man has met brown woman he has done little more for them than rape, the spread of disease, the murder of their husbands, sons and fathers and the destruction of their culture and way of life. I dont despair however. Women like Lubna Hussein, for example, will continue to challenge and fight for women and I and more NGOS than I could be bothered mentioning support her and all my sisters. To hold feminism responsible for the damage men have done doesnt sound like the truimph of feminism to me.

Mish says:

01:09pm | 27/08/09

Gillian - if you tag the word feminism, feminist or women in any of the news or opinion blogs you are bound to get trolled by the likes of Eric and the “all feminists are wicked evil people club” –it’s their hobby. 

Back to the original topic

Of course, even when I’m at a midnight feminist ritual sacrificing a cute little furry animal I can appreciate the cut and style of a well designed garment.  Though when we get to the dancing around naked and putting feminising curses on poor hapless men sometimes 4 inches heels get stuck in the mud.

Claire says:

01:13pm | 27/08/09

Your comment:I thought the issue here was the relationship between the fashion industry and feminism. It is a very interesting topic to bring up especially as the new generation of young women are increasingly becoming more fashion/consumer oriented and are less and less inclined to be aligned with feminism (which they may confuse with radical feminism).

I do think that fashion and feminism are mutually exclusive. The fashion industry does promote vapid consumerism, eating disorders and poor self image. All of these things effect young women negatively. How anyone can call themselves a feminist and support the fashion industry is beyond me.

Allance says:

01:17pm | 27/08/09

Couldn’t be bothered reading the article Gillian but I’ll admit I noticed the photo and thought approvingly, ‘hmmm, quite the babe’

Vic says:

01:23pm | 27/08/09

The problem of fashion and feminism is that by it’s very design fashion excludes women (and men) if they don’t fit the agreed shape or image that is the ideal of that time. Fashion as an art places restrictions on the wearer/appreciator that other forms of art do not. All art forms can cost ridiulous amounts of money, but I can’t think of one that forces the appreciator to submit to a specific body type. Can you be overweight and own a beautiful painting and display it: yes. Can you be overweight and own and display a couture dress: no (unless you want to frame it!). Are Louboutins available to women (or men!) with large feet? Nope.

We will always place importance on ours and others presentation, but when we reject individuals for their inability to fit the fashion mould, then it becomes an issue. For women, and men.

Alex says:

01:26pm | 27/08/09

Guess what, everyone? Sometimes women are discriminated against because they’re women. And sometimes men are discriminated against because they’re men. And sometimes short people are discriminated against, and ugly people are discriminated against and beautiful people are discriminated against and loud people are discriminated against and boring people are discriminated against. Every single one of us has a list of things about us that certain people will choose to use against us. Equally, we each have a list of characteristics that work in our favour and give us a leg-up over the next guy. That’s the way people are.

SO CAN WE ALL JUST GET OVER IT? Can we stop labelling it and analysing it and lamenting it and behaving like whiney victims? Make the best of what you got, accept that you’ve got advantages over some people in some arenas and disadvantages elsewhere. Move on!

And yes, I am a woman!

Anika_214 says:

01:32pm | 27/08/09

Note the word “fem” in feminism. Feminism often gets played out as masculinism but is usually veiled by proclamations of female power, when it is like a form of gender-cringe on behalf of women in reality. It is even validated by some forms of feminism thoughts..

Some women have identified too readily with patriarchy, absorbed it to redefine their worth in the light of idealised masculine values.

But, of course one can be a feminist and wear heels. You can be a stay at home mother and be a feminist. Whatever you want to be-the point.

If a woman feels she can’t do overtly female things, whatever they may be, then she is enslaved and the whole purpose of feminism is defeated.

Feminism was created in response to inequalities in the patriarchal society we live in. All we need is a balance of equal worth given to male and female roles, choices.

A feminist who also wears make-up!

Matt Worthington says:

01:36pm | 27/08/09

PC,

Im not saying feminism is to blame, Im saying that current western feminists are being incredibly selfish and should focus on what feminism is truly about. Which is liberating women!

Western women are liberated, so their focus should be towards helping the opressed women in other societies like what Hillary Clinton is trying to do.
Instead they are acting like babies grasping at everyone elses toy and wanting more (power).

We all cant be CEO’s, world leaders, lawyers ect…
As I realise I dont have the aptitude to become a pilot. I accept that and dont expect special entry or exemption from the established standards because I belonged to a previously discriminated demographic .

Why are you so hateful to the white man?? We dont throw acid into womens faces, genital mutilation or have honour killings, like in counties, I a “white man” fight to keep the peace in. These are some of the “nicer” things I care to share.

It seems to me like your on the bandwagon of hate towards the white man.

I believe feminism has its place, it now just needs to focus on its true goals and where its actually needed. Thats all.

Emma M says:

01:36pm | 27/08/09

Great photo Gillian!
And great article, thank you for it.
Four-inch heels are a challenge for my co-ordination, but I love to wear any kind of heels I can walk in, and also proudly call myself a feminist. Yet I would disagree with anyone who called me a ‘fashionista’ or tried to pin me as one of the extreme feminists people so love to portray as the sole form of feminism, to the detriment of the idea of equality and the push to counter the constant judging that women face but men do not.
The response to the Matty Johns saga horrified me, and like so many other events, reminds me of Janeane Garofalo: “We’re our own worst enemies a lot of the time, but I still blame men”.
Good work.

Ben says:

01:36pm | 27/08/09

The important thing about Feminism was that, among far more important things, gave women an escape from what were very restrictive expectations, limitations and exclusions including the right to self expression by wearing what they wanted to wear.
The Pankhursts were immaculately attired while hunger striking and jumping in front of race-horses or whatever and the many empowered women who choose to dress in a fashionable manner, a feminine manner or both illustrates the point above.
Like many movements which address an entrenched and profoundly wrong situation, feminism had its more extreme moments and protagonists. So what?
While I would not argue that all instances of unfair discrimination against women have been corrected, I think the whole ‘for the struggle carries on’ refrain rings pretty hollow for men and women in the west.
What I think shines out is the need enhanced mutuality rather than equality - men and women are different, those differences are not locked in concrete and should not be used to perpetrate injustice but they do exist. Our relationships with each other in both a private and public context will be greatly enriched if acknowledge our differences, strengths and weaknesses, the need for give and take.
As for fashion - stop blaming ‘it’. It’s not some natural law, its a creation of human society and been around for thousands of years and always idealised how we think we should appear. Perspective is the key.
Finally some frivolous asides - men get a very bad rap for ‘perving’ at women (which of course is deserved) but if you did a survey of the women men check out walking down the street or whatever they will very, very often bear absolutely no resemblance to the women which that man will time and time again choose to be with.

pc says:

02:05pm | 27/08/09

Matt -  After having read you squirming around in your feeble justification I think I should put you out of you misery. You attack western feminists for not liberating non western women, then praise Hilary Clinton, a western feminist and women for doing exactly the opposite of your whining.  Im not surprised your not a pilot you cant see whats under your nose.

Voxpop says:

02:16pm | 27/08/09

On the fair pay issue - I was simply replying to someone who said it was a myth that women are paid less.  So I was only trying to compare apples with apples by giving an example I heard on ABC radio recently.  The trouble is nobody (myself included) puts any faith in studies that show the gender pay gap - because they don’t always take into consideration the type of job or hours worked.  So to say that it’s wrong to compare a hairdressers salary to that of a tradie (I’m not talking about gender, only the job itself) is to agree that such comparisons don’t make sense.  The lawyer example was not about 1 woman compared with 1 man - it’s a bias accross the profession held up by many examples.  And yes I agree with whoever it was that said such a person should be in a strong position to negotiate - but there’s still barriers.  In jobs where salary is negotiated above awards there are quite a lot of differences (sometimes it’s about perks and other benefits) but mostly in my line of work it’s about seniority and location.  So in my industry there are staff on different packages doing exactly the same job - it isn’t hard to see how this could be manipulated.  And I’m not talking about performance or commision structures.

For myself I’m quite happy with my career and remuneration - I work full time and don’t have kids.  I have seen a level of discrimination in workplaces I’ve been involved in over the years and have found myself assuring prospective employers that I don’t ever intend to have children and will not require maternity leave.  Was it necessary to do that?  Perhaps not but I certainly felt that there would be a mark against me that a male applying for the same position wouldn’t be subject to - and how can anyone really judge how much that type of discrimination is applied because so many other excuses can be used, it’s so easy to just say that another person was more qualified and leave it at that.  I was the first female Aust wide employed in a particular company as a saleperson simply because the hierachy believed men were better suited to the aggressive approach and I could see how this mentality permeated throught the entire company - happy to see that they now have more women though still very unbalanced.

I’m only interested in comparing like with like and have no interest in talking about part time work - it’s bloody obvious that there are going to be gaps there.

I don’t think it’s fair for an employer to have to pay for maternity leave because that is what triggers the discrimination in the first place - but what’s the answer?  It’s also not fair that men want kids too yet don’t have to shoulder the responsibility of the interruption to their career.

ED says:

02:28pm | 27/08/09

HEY MISH, Whatever you’re on!!! I’d like some please

ED says:

02:52pm | 27/08/09

PC, MATT cleaned your clock, I believe he meant western feminists in general and used Hilary Clinton as an example so that hopefully people like you might understand, ” but apparently not” as for you putting anybody out of there misery, give us a break and stop drinking your own bathwater.

ED says:

02:59pm | 27/08/09

Gillian, comment on photo HUBBA HUBBA!!! WOW,  OOPS!!! I’m just over 50, does that make me a dirty old man??? I’m just happy I can still appreciate a smart good looking woman high heels or not.

W says:

03:02pm | 27/08/09

To me, feminism is about having options, the freedom to choose and respect. Early feminists worked hard to win women that freedom and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. It’s not about hating men, having hairy armpits or wearing unfashionable clothes and if people think that way then they’re missing the point completely.

pc says:

03:16pm | 27/08/09

Ed, I’m devastated, because you said it, it’s true. Whatever time your clock keeps is whack, sucka, cuz u got skooled sucka, u got nothin on me. That’s right, ed, I think so little of you I’m serving you hip hop style.

ella fitzgerald says:

03:22pm | 27/08/09

i think you worry about what other people think too much, gillian.

SR says:

03:25pm | 27/08/09

Why are we still oppressing woman! I have total support for these female freedom of choice fighters…...

http://www.news.com.au/gallery/0,23607,5059946-5007150,00.html

Eric says:

03:55pm | 27/08/09

Feminism is a zero-sum game.

Feminists believe that the only way to help women is to hurt men.

W says:

04:10pm | 27/08/09

Irnoically, feminism’s greatest adversary are females themselves….

Megan says:

04:17pm | 27/08/09

I always am astonished at people who think that Feminism means you can’t want to be a housewife, or work in a “traditional” female role.

To me, feminism means that I have the right to be myself - to aspire to a career in any area I want.  If that means I want to be a stay at home mum - then the feminist movement should support that.

Feminism means empowerment of women - it doesn’t give women the right to “man-bash”.  It means equality of career path, equality of pay and equality of rights.

And if I want to wear 4 inch hot pink shoes - then I expect other females to rejoyce in the fact that I can do so if I want.

Any woman who demeans herself by belittleing men is merely indulging in the same behaviour that created the suffragette and feminist movements.

LK says:

04:20pm | 27/08/09

I chuckled to myself when I read Eric’s comments about 3 out of 4 men are victims of violence. Who is actually perpetrating the violence towards the men and the women - Men !! Perhaps Eric, you need to stop being so angry and bitter towards women and start crusading for better treatment from your own kind!
As for whether a woman should wear heels or dungarees, I say wear whatever makes you happy Sister and enjoy your life to the fullest. Don’t let anyone stop you. That’s the essence of feminism.

Eric says:

04:28pm | 27/08/09

LC, you should learn to read.

Then you might begin to understand.

ED says:

04:41pm | 27/08/09

PC, Your IQ level has been clearly established via that emotional “hip hop” rant, retort, whatever!!! do you do the mental hand signs as well?? Nothing to be learnt from you, go away you plastic gangsta!!!
Back to the original question, of course a modern feminist can wear high heels,as for the hairy armpit kind noooooooooooo!!! us poor males have enough nightmares already

Jordan says:

04:54pm | 27/08/09

LK, Eric’s comment wasn’t that intending to say anything about perpetrators of crime, but that the majority of the victims of violence are male yet there is a “Violence against Women - Australia says No” policy.  Why aren’t we discouraging all violence?

pc says:

05:09pm | 27/08/09

Eric, Matt, Ed, whatever your name is, u got skooled once do u want it two times sucka. My blood pressures fine ED - I think everyones a little worried about yours though. It takes a little more than an unimaginative and emotionally retarded troglodyte like you to get up my knickers - and its a g string Ed - in a twist.

ED says:

05:23pm | 27/08/09

MEGAN ,I think you have hit it right on the head, feminism is exactly that ” the right to be yourself” whatever that may be, females “or males” who criticize your choice of whether you are a stay at home mum , go into the “workforce”, wear high heels or not are just being judgmental nothing else, they would be that way whether they called themselves feminist or not.

ED says:

05:29pm | 27/08/09

PC,
YAWWWNNNN!!! ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz.  I didn’t ask after your blood pressure luv??

Eric says:

05:33pm | 27/08/09

pc, cry some more.

Sore loser.

W says:

05:53pm | 27/08/09

Feminism has been caught blindsighted by your average modern day woman…

Rere says:

05:54pm | 27/08/09

Oh Eric. You are so funny.  It’s hard being a pampered,  white male whose rights are never threatened (I’m assuming, because you don’t seem to understand oppression) isn’t it?Supporting womens’ rights doesn’t mean you’re anti-men, just like being for the rights of black people doesn’t mean you want the oppression of white people! Come walk a mile in my stilettos before you make such crude and dumbass comments.
Although having said that, i do think women can be each other’s worst enemies- and i have had to tone down my fashion sense, good looks and ability to eat a lot and stay thin just to appease other women especially in the workplace and appear less threatening to them. It’s so exhausting. Let people be who they are- man or woman, it’s time we just accept one another! One person’s ability to shine doesn’t take away yours!

ED says:

06:04pm | 27/08/09

PC, Hard to know how to respond to someone who confuses IQ level with blood pressure level!?!?!? by the way It’s schooled not “skooled” The fact that MATT “dated” you still stands, stamp your feet all you like I’ve all night to reel you in.

C says:

06:11pm | 27/08/09

Reading all of these comments, I find it ridiculous that the people arguing most strongly are the ones that are creating inequality and giving each side of the discussion a bad name. Some people here that claim to be fighting for equal rights are actually hurting their own argument. It’s obvious that in different areas of society and life both men and women are discriminated against. I don’t understand why sides need to be taken. It seems that some of the people that come across as ‘the crusaders of equality’ are just as much to blame for inequality as any male or female chauvinist.

PC I have no problem with what you are arguing for but you are creating stereotypes, which i disagree with. You said, “Since white man has met brown woman he has done little more for them than rape, the spread of disease, the murder of their husbands, sons and fathers and the destruction of their culture and way of life.”  Are statements like that supporting a view for equality or a view against white men?

pc says:

06:19pm | 27/08/09

Ed, further feeble, and lets face it, futile attempts at provocation are like your attempts at sleeping with roadkill. Even they say no. Thats skooled 3 times Ed.

ED says:

06:21pm | 27/08/09

RERE,Agree with everything you say except the assertion that a white males rights are never threatened” a casual glance inside any family court should dispel that myth” fact is whether we are white,black brindle male,female,muslim,christian or aztec we all have our rights threatened in some way or other every now and then usually by powerful self interest groups.

Leah says:

07:57pm | 27/08/09

It’s confusing being a woman because women have made it that way. I am sick of feminists and dont think they have a place in today’s world. Feminists were beneficial back in the 1800s when they were fighting for women’s voting rights; they were beneficial in the 50s, 60s and 70s when they were fighting for women to be allowed tertiary education, to be allowed & respected in the same jobs, to get the same pay. These days, women have their votes, have tertiary educations, are respected in pretty much every occupation, and yes they get the same pay. (The stats are misleading: women sometimes end up with less pay because they have less experience than men because they often take time out of their career to have kids etc. This means a 35 yr old woman might have had ten years experience in her job while a 35 yr old man might have had fifteen. You’ll usually find women with equal education and experience as men are getting just as much pay, sometimes more.)
Today’s feminists are more about proving “we don’t need men” or “we can do anything men can do” rather than gaining equality for women, and I find that degrading, both for men and women. Are women’s self-esteems so bad they can’t be satisfied being a woman and have to be a man too?
Sure, if a you’re a feminist in some backwards country that still outlaws women voting or bans women from certain occupations (eg. Iraq, Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt etc) then you go girl! But Australia? The US, UK, NZ?

Besides, feminism and fashion hasn’t been mutually exclusive for years. This might be one time Lagerfeld is out of the loop fashion-wise. Look at all the female celebrities who call themselves feminists… but are also the height of fashion.

Anyway, in most of the article feminism seems completely irrelevant. You seem more concerned with the way women are judged by their appearance - by both men and women, feminism aside.

BTW, Go Fug Yourself is awesome. Those women are (usually) not deriding other women for simply different taste in clothes, but downright BAD taste - eg. wearing shorts to a movie premiere, wearing leggings with massive gaping holes matched with bright blue fluffy ugg boots, or wearing white see-through shirts with black bras underneath.

John says:

08:55pm | 27/08/09

Stuff rights! How about showing some God damned responsibility? To the misandrists, the species can’t survive without men. To the misogynists, the species can’t survive without women. Both groups just need to deal with it.

For one sex to gain advantage at the expense of the other is reprehensible. If you want more women in Parliament, then maybe more women need to stand for preselection, and the only way you’‘re going to be preselected is to actually become a member of a political party, or stand as an independent.

If you want better treatment of men under the Family Law Act, then pester, hound and harass your Federal Member of Parliament about the treatment we get under that act, despite everyone supposedly being equal in the eyes of the law.

If you want to improve the lot of Aboriginals, then get them out of their handout mentality, and make them earn their sense of self worth.

Audrey Moss says:

10:12pm | 27/08/09

If I wanted to depress myself I’d read Germane Greer, or news articles about how much less woman professionals are paid than men…yada yada yada…it’s not that I don’t think what they say has truth I just would rather put my fingers in my ears and say lalalala…because it is so demotivating and makes trying to personally improve my life with the degree seem so much more pointless.  To me every time the feminism movement is mentioned it is either as a word to criticise a woman (esp the feminazi thing) or it seems to get some men really angry about women in general. It seems almost as if someone said someone was a feminist it would be like calling them a bad name. We can vote but on a personal level that really doesn’t change much. Pay is still less for women, domestic violence rape happen often rarely much justice still though at least it is now a crime to do it to your wife etc. Still often women arn’t believed or it’s not treated as a bad crime if it’s done to his wife or gf, very rarely do men get in much trouble from crimes like that. Then there is the attempted guilt trip about stuff that happened before I was born angle that goes something like, “the feminism movement made you liberated you can do whatever you want”, or “what about women who are getting genitally mutilated etc etc “, said to women who dare to not be content with their lot in anywhere western even though the poverty rate for women and children is high. It seems like women are expected to be perfect mothers, be able to have a degree, the same pay as men even when it’s not statistically happening they are told they can do that and there is then that sense that if you cant do all this at once or haven’t then you are somehow wiping your feet on what your ancestors fought for, even though the problems are with society still not the individual women.  So much expectations on women told they can do anything and achieve anything…but most of the opportunties in life are still far less for women. I guess i’m going to get flamed now for these points of veiws but anyway….just don’t call me the F* word….feminist that is… ;P

Audrey Moss says:

12:00am | 28/08/09

To do with fashion - I think there are good and bad points. It’s a way people express themselves but yes there is pressure particularly on women from the beauty industry. With the fashion and the beauty industries driven by the money to be made marketed by making people feel inadequate perhaps also has a lot to answer for. To them they are selling a product the best they can. You have the perfect models, you have the glossy fashion magazines of all types and aimed at all market audiences started even to be aimed little girls with perfect models throughout and tips about how to be attractive…because you know that’s how you feel good about yourself. Where are the articles in dolly about how you are going to become the next greatest scientist? Yes there is a big pressure on women to be considered attractive, there is a big pressure that they be hair free, there is even a pressure for them to to stay looking young with things like botox -deadly poison injected in skin becoming increasingly common. I guess I don’t have the biggest problem with those sorts of things because I can accept people can do what they want and hope they know the risks, it’s fine to want to look after yourself, botox is prehaps crossing the line…In the more extreme though…things like plastic surgery for perfectly beautiful people that just don’t feel acceptable the way they are is to me a huge sign of the pressure on women (and also increasing numbers of men) to undergo in some cases major surgery perhaps because the beauty industry thrives on making people feel not okay the way they are. Men moaning about how gross hair on women is, how they like young women, or making comments about what they perceive as imperfect breasts (none of those small or not perky enough ones…etc etc etc) doesn’t help but I like to think the majority of men would keep their mouth shut knowing that they too will get old and they too are not perfect like the digitally ultered and often already cosmetic surgeried icons of beauty sold to our daughters and held up that people often compare themselves to.  You hear about the huge number of women getting breast implants at a young age and I can only be sad when I think of that because it’s putting these unacheiveable beauty standards people are trying to live up to above the ability of a woman to breastfeed her children (at times it can make it difficult or impossible). Really ask yourself what is more beautiful? The simple act of a woman breastfeeding her child or women being butchered to look like idential sex dolls?  Certainly I am not blaming men for all these troubles because there are industries that make a huge amount of money convincing us that perhaps we arn’t okay the way we are, perhaps we would feel better if we got plastic surgery etc and men are the victims of this increasingly too. It is as extreme that now you read in the beauty magazines information about how to have genital plasic surgery and all about it’s cost, how you might be not okay the way you are…just in case you might be interested….or have a perceived problem/“imperfection”. Then you hear about young women as young as 14 going to their doctors with perfectly normal genitals wanting surgery because they don’t feel that they are acceptable as a woman the way they naturally are. Why? Maybe they read too many magazines or maybe they have seen pornography where it is illegal to show anything much to do with female genitals. I think having the options to have plastic surgery isn’t in itself bad but when it is marketed and the marketing is basically making people feel not okay with themselves and that they would be okay if they had what they are selling, it can’t be good for self esteem. Can you be a feminist and wear high heels? Well first of all you can’t be a feminist anymore I think that’s a dirty word now. Secondly women can do whatever they like…but how many can really not get caught up with the ideals of beauty that are shoved down their throats since childhood?

johnno says:

01:27am | 28/08/09

Eric is right. Check out the actual stats… men are overwhelmingly the victims of violent crimes. It is not even close.

Emma says:

08:33am | 28/08/09

Eric, do you have a Google alert for the term feminism? Everytime the term pops up here on The Punch you chime in with your chauvinist rhetoric.

It’s quite interesting really, because much as you seem to loath all things feminist your comments continually validate that most despised of all the greats, Germaine Greer.

Head to the library and pick up a copy of the Female Eunuch, I’m sure you’ll find it an interesting read.

Emma says:

08:45am | 28/08/09

And Johnno, you are right male are more often the victims of violent crimes, females are more often victims of violent crimes perpetrated by the opposite sex.

Dave says:

09:44am | 28/08/09

Modern Femism is not about equality it is about creating special privilage for women over men. Equily is about equality of opportunity. Modern Femism is about having equal or better outcomes for women regardless of effort, choices, opportunities, etc.

Actually Emma there is a huge body of research showing that males suffer domestic violence from females as much as the other way around but males very rarely report it. If they do report it the male will most likely suffer further.

This illistrates another aspect of Modern Femism. It is by and large in denial of the actual facts as the majority experience them.

Emma says:

11:28am | 28/08/09

Dave, are you saying that more females assault females than males assault females? Because that was the point I was making.

I agree that domestic violence against men is an extremely serious issue and I certainly believe that the fact it goes under-reported is a problem worth addressing.

Iheartfashion says:

01:15pm | 28/08/09

Great article.  You’re right that we shouldn’t have to choose between beauty and intelligence. It’s taken me ages to read through and digest the comments.

The comment by Sally struck me as interesting “Put simply I have more important things to do (such as study, exercise, cook, work, and do housework) than read fashion magazines and go shopping for overpriced frivolous items.” First of all, if people think fashion are overpriced items, then they need to start thinking again. True style is about shopping at Chanel but also shopping at Target.

Second of all, I don’t like the snide undertone in Sally’s comment that fashion is ‘frivolous’,  ‘[that you have] have more important things to do’, the mention of doing ‘honours’ etc I would never put other people down about what they wear but a lot of women who don’t care about fashion whether they realise or not are the usually the first to put down other women who are choosy about what they wear.

I think it comes down to an insecurity because they feel they can’t compete and nor should they need to. Fashion is about personal choice which I think is the whole point of this article.

Worried says:

02:08pm | 28/08/09

Some of the comments here worry me.  Yes women in the western world have a lot more going for them than women in other countries definitely.  But I don’t agree with the whole notion of “the western world knows best” and forcing it onto the rest of the world.  If they want women’s rights, people over there need to stand up first and fight for it.

As for the notion that there is no issue worth fighting for in the western world, I think you only need to look at domestic violence stats, crimes against women stats and the opinion of rugby players about rape to know that some work still needs to be done. 

And yes I agree with some of the opinions in this blog that feminism is about allowing women to have choice.  As for women fighting for power, we get told even know in the work force to be more like men.  Specially in the fields dominated by men.  Why should I not aspire for a promotion at work?  That’s not asking for power.

Matt Worthington says:

03:30pm | 28/08/09

Worried of 0208pm 28/08/09,

Your worried because some people are more concerned about women from other nations suffering horrific acts of violence and opression.
Men commiting such acts under the justification of culture, religion ect.
Its not that the :western world knows best” its more about enforcing the fundamental rights of a human being regardless of east vs west.

So sorry if some of us are more worried about protecting these women from torture, honour killings, genital mutilation ect than your pay rise.

Lisa says:

06:34pm | 29/08/09

High heels are not a sign of liberation. They are a sign of (willing) subjugation - to consumerism, to aesthetic life, even to a kind of masochistic sexuality.

The fact the women link fashion consumerism to feminine freedom is proof of how superficial and selfish the whole ‘discussion area’ has become.  One really has very little to do with the other… unless you are talking enforced high heels of course…

I’m with Matt Worthington - feminism is now an international issue. We need the give the gals overseas, who really do need a helping hand! I vote we start with clean water, and aid during childbirth.

Gillian (the other Gillian) says:

06:18pm | 01/09/09

Now here’s a quote to end the debate - surely! Found it in Germaine Greer’s “The Whole Woman”.
“Nothing is more empowering than towering over your boyfriend and your boss in shoes that double as an offensive weapon. Stilettos – not combat trousers and pierced tongues – are a real source of girl power.” Lesley Thomas, Express, February 1998.

Julie Cowdroy says:

12:41pm | 03/09/09

i think this a difficult conversation where the definition of feminism is highly contested…

April says:

03:19pm | 03/09/09

Women can identify with so many different types of feminism.  Some women are extremist feminists who believe the only way for women to gain equal opportunity is to try to push men down, but then there are other extremist feminists who want equality for both sex’s.  I think that appearance and fashion may be an addition to the idea of what a feminist women “should look like” or what they “should wear”, maybe in response to oppression, but in contemporary “western” society it seems merely a stereotype.  Feminism, although generally about equal opportunity alongside the other sex, the meaning will differ to every feminist.

Heather Smith says:

08:26am | 09/09/09

Your article has provoked an interesting discussion - you go girl!

Sadhbh says:

11:09am | 10/09/09

I love this piece, I’m a feminist who loves my heels and makeup - when I choose to wear them. It’s all about choice.
It also keeps reminding me of that wonderful quote on Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire -  “Sure he was great, but don’t forget that Ginger Rogers did everything he did, backwards… and in high heels.”