I JUST HAVE A LOT OF FEELINGS

Hiya ladies.

Currently reading a fascinating book - What Our Mothers Didn't Tell Us by Danielle Crittenden. I know it sounds weird, but I sort of want to sit down every young woman I care about and say 'Here, read this so we can talk about it'.

The book is all about how feminists (doubtlessly with the best intentions) have shortchanged their descendants and contributed to the creation of a culture which, if it assists any women at all, only assists young, pretty, (deliberately) unmarried women - ignoring the needs and desires of less pretty women, poorer women, older women - who will always be the ones who have trouble finding a second partner after divorce - who will usually be the ones who will want to keep the kids, even if their ex can't or won't pay child support - who may prefer homemaking to a career. How feminism helped turn men into irresponsible commitment-phobes and how feminism took away as many choices from women as it gave to them. I always try to look at things from lots of angles - and I almost felt guilty at how much I agreed with the author of this book. Because there are heaps of women out there who appreciate the sexual revolution, certainly. Just because I personally am revolted by the cheapening of sex doesn't mean everybody feels the same way. Just because I want to be a stay-at-home mum (a homeschooling stay-at-home mum: more power to the rebels!) doesn't mean every woman wants it. And that's my only problem with this book - it does generalise a fair bit.

But... giddiest of aunts! I do enjoy reading something I can agree with. So many approaches to cultural issues require me to tie myself in emotional pretzels before I can listen objectively - this book has given me courage to stand up and say, "Damn you, society!" (or not - I never actually would give way to the impulse to tell the world to go to hell) "I don't want what you want! Let me be different! Stop taking away freedoms in the name of freedom!"

This has actually been a pretty immature and one-sided rant. I apologise. And I apologise about my continual rants in general and in particular on the topic of women and sex. When my mind latches on to a subject I ravenously devour all media related to it - and when this subject is a serious one (sometimes when it isn't - you may have noticed that things have been a bit Cumberbatchy around here lately?) I feel a desperate need to express my feelings on that subject.

I'll try and write more objectively about this book on my much neglected book blog.