Ask A Feminist #5: Victims of society?

[redqueen]

http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2012/02/ask_a_feminist_7


Dear Laura,

I am relatively new to the feminist movement and feminist thinking. I've already discovered many complex issues which require a great deal of thought, but the one that probably confounds me the most is how to argue for the power of our culture/society/the media on women's way of thinking without reducing women to malleable figures incapable of thinking for themselves. I feel quite strongly that the culture in the UK has a negative influence on the way that many women think about themselves and their abilities, but I find it difficult to argue for such influences without presenting women as little more than victims. I'd be really interested to hear what you, and F-Word readers, have to say on this issue.

- Rowena

I think a major point here is that we don't have to get stuck in the dichotomy of women being either helpless dupes of an all-powerful patriarchal culture or totally free agents who are impervious to cultural and social pressures. Discussions on why women engage in certain behaviours or think certain things do often get boiled down to a question of choice versus victim-hood, but in reality, human experience usually falls somewhere in between.

...

However, acknowledging that advertising affects women's desires and self-image doesn't mean painting women who use fake tan or remove their body hair as incapable of thinking for themselves. The same goes for other examples of social and cultural pressures. Women have the capacity to make different choices, but given that most people want to feel a sense of belonging and do not want to be singled out as different, it makes sense to go along with the dominant cultural norms. And if they're not exposed to any alternative perspectives, or if those alternative perspectives aren't perceived as credible because they're demonised within mainstream society, women are unlikely to question the status quo. That doesn't mean we're unable to: we just need access to alternatives and the tools required to deconstruct what has always been portrayed as normal and natural. We can then make more informed decisions about our lives, which may or may not include conforming to social norms.

...

A final point to consider is that there's no shame in being a victim. Detractors of feminism often complain that we paint all women as victims, but the truth is that many, many women are victimised within our society, and I don't think we should shy away from saying that. The crucial point is that feminism is about helping women move out of a victimised situation and stopping us from becoming victimised in the first place.

[ismnotwasm]

1. Sweet

I haven't seen this blog before, thank you!

[redqueen]

3. It is definitely my pleasure!

Enjoy!

[MadrasT]

2. I do like this blog quite a lot.

I like how you branch out to new topics from things that come up in other threads.

She is correct, the choice isn't all-or-nothing "victim" or "strong", and when a woman actually IS a victim, being a victim is NOT something to be ashamed about.

Good article.

[redqueen]

4. Thanks...

I think the point of not shaming victims is key.

I hate that there is a stigma attached to the word, and to me it seems like nothing but another way to protect those least in need of protection.

[seabeyond]

5. i am really tired of actual discussion about issues being reduced to prude, and victim. that is lazy

debate.

a fail.