What’s the deal with Feminism?

A History of Feminism

By Sarah Moreau

The term “feminism” can have many different meanings depending on where and when it is applied. Corban professors Robert Mathisen and Collette Tennant both agree that the term is hard to define, especially within recent years.

Mathisen and Tennant agree that feminism started in the mid to late 19^th century when Susan. B. Anthony and a group of people fought for equal rights for women, though not in the same way as later years

“They would not have thought of themselves as feminists in the 20^th-century sense,” Mathisen said. “If one means by feminism that women are to be treated equally, then Susan B. Anthony and the Niagara Falls Convention would fit that. Her form of feminism was desiring greater opportunities and rights.”

The different branches of feminism, according to Mathisen, are political, economic, social, and religious/theological.

Feminist groups were successful in gaining the right to vote in the 1920s, but Mathisen believes all the original goals such as gaining equal pay and work have not yet been accomplished.

Both Mathisen and English professor Collette Tennant believe that, while a form of feminism still exists today, it is in no way the same as it was in the 1960s and 70s.

“Yesterday’s radicals may be today’s moderates,” Mathisen said.

Tennant, who said she is known as the campus feminist, believes strongly in women’s rights.

“I am definitely cheering for women to be viewed as an image in the eyes of God,” Tennant said. “They should all be able to use their gifts as fully as men.”

In today’s society, one of the most notable forms of “feminism” in the news is in politics. Women are slowly rising up in this realm, though Mathisen says he is surprised it has not evolved faster.

“Women have not gained political prominence,” Mathisen said. “I would say that there’s still some measure of uneasiness about casting the females in America into some leadership positions.

Mathisen believes not just men are hesitant, though, as the amount of male and female voters is nearly equal.

“At this point, I don’t think I’m going to see a woman president in my life,” Mathisen said. “Even if I were to live 20 more years, I don’t know. I still think we’re sometime away from that. I haven’t seen the movement like I thought I would.”

Just make him a sandwich!

By Megan Russell

Please stop protesting. Women have their rights; they can vote, own property, and even abort unwanted children. The least they can do is make a man a sandwich. Women have stripped America of the domestic role. No wonder children are brats these days; no one is raising them.

They brought the idea of killing babies in the womb to the government’s attention. They’ve emasculated men while chasing careers and forcing their husbands to be stay-at-home dads.

We’ve allowed people like Hillary Clinton to come into power, only to show that women are incapable of great responsibility. There’s a reason only men have been presidents.

Now before anyone’s panties get in a bunch, let me address some things. I fully support women pursuing careers. I’m not advocating either that women become domestic goddesses, learning the arts of sewing, cooking, ironing, and balancing babies on each hip. I’m not saying a woman should be a man’s servant to satisfy his every need or to service him sexually.

I do think women should be respected in this society. Not for overpowering men, manipulating men with their sexuality, or for gaining equal pay in the work force, but for taking an irreplaceable part in society. Women weren’t designed to be in the driver’s seat, but to be in the passenger’s seat, helping with the navigation (not controlling it, mind you.)

Men don’t need a woman to tell them what they’re doing wrong. They also don’t need a woman to do their job. Men need a woman to kindly suggest a different route and read the map carefully.

The reason women aren’t respected in this society is because they use every opportunity to empower themselves and override men. What man wants a woman more powerful than he? Women aren’t men, so stop acting like one.

So maybe we don’t have equal pay (78 cents less an hour than men earn is not a big deal.) When it comes down to it, no one likes a whiny, imposing, and overpowering woman. A woman’s true femininity is shown through her submission. And sometimes submission includes making him a sandwich.

So submit to the idea that women will never be equal to men. Stop protesting, because when it comes down to it, women don’t want to be equal to men. Women just want control. And we all know what happens when women are in control of the steering wheel: accidents happen.

Why I’m a feminist and why you should be one too

By Krystal Kuehn

Like all social movements, some people who are involved take things too far. So, before I defend feminism, I want to clarify what I mean when I refer to the term.  I am not talking about the men-hating radicals running around screaming about the superiority of women. No, I actually like men very much. I just don’t think their gender makes them better than me.

The feminism I defend is a movement for social, political, and economic equality between men and women.

Feminism believes in principles like “equal pay for equal worth”: The idea that men should not be paid more for a job merely because of their gender. If a woman does the same job, has the same amount of experience, and performs with the same amount of success, she should receive the same pay as a man in her position.

While feminism affirms that  men and women are of equal worth and value, it does not say men and women are the same. Men and women were created differently, and there are certain roles better suited to be filled by a specific gender.

However, feminism says these predispositions should not bar someone from holding a specific job. Feminism believes in the individual, that every person should be allowed the attempt to pursue his or her desired career without gender being an issue. In this way, feminism supports men just as much as women. If you’re a guy who wants to go out and be a hairdresser, a secretary, or a nurse, then feminists will support you every step of the way.

This belief in equal worth is also a biblical principle. (See Gen. 1:26-28) God created Eve to help Adam rule, not as another being for Adam to have dominion over. Both men and women are created in God’s image with the same authority, dignity, and value.

Never ever listen to anyone who says women were not created in the image of God. Send that chauvinist on his way and refrain from giving him the swift kick he is asking for. (Someone else will give it to him eventually anyway.)

Feminism wants women to be independent and strong. Men, wouldn’t you rather have your sisters and daughters grow up to be women who know how to take care of themselves rather than rely on a man to guide them through life and provide for them? Of course you would, and that’s why feminism asks for your support.