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I voted other, because I consider myself neither. The concepts of matriarchy and patriarchy (or feminism and masculism) place one above the other, but I just don't think that's real. I think it's an illusion.
The average woman is better suited to certain things than the average man, and vise versa. But none of these roles are set in stone because there are a great many levels of proficiency. For example, most would agree that the average man is better suited to playing basketball than the average woman. However, I have a cousin who went all the way through college on a sports scholarship playing for the women's basketball team, and she could kick my ass on the court in her sleep.
I believe that gender roles were originally designed to assign tasks to whomever stood the greatest chance of success. But they should not be treated as hard and fast rules regarding which gender should do what. People are far too varied in ability for that to be a successful strategy.
But, at the same time, gender differences do need to be acknowledged. For example, it seems silly to me to decrease the physical standards for the fire department so that women can pass the physical and become firefighters. If a woman can pass the physical as it is, then I see no reason why she shouldn't do it. If she can't, then she can't. I don't want to die in a burning building because a woman firefighter wan't strong enough to carry me out.
The average woman is better suited to certain things than the average man, and vise versa. But none of these roles are set in stone because there are a great many levels of proficiency. For example, most would agree that the average man is better suited to playing basketball than the average woman. However, I have a cousin who went all the way through college on a sports scholarship playing for the women's basketball team, and she could kick my ass on the court in her sleep.
I believe that gender roles were originally designed to assign tasks to whomever stood the greatest chance of success. But they should not be treated as hard and fast rules regarding which gender should do what. People are far too varied in ability for that to be a successful strategy.
But, at the same time, gender differences do need to be acknowledged. For example, it seems silly to me to decrease the physical standards for the fire department so that women can pass the physical and become firefighters. If a woman can pass the physical as it is, then I see no reason why she shouldn't do it. If she can't, then she can't. I don't want to die in a burning building because a woman firefighter wan't strong enough to carry me out.
I thought I had an idea of what a feminist is. What is a masculinist?
i really like this question... but I'm not sure how to approach it.
My understanding is that African society is/was matriachal, whereas western culture is patriarchal.
I don't see why societies can't be pamatriarchal??
For real, I can't understand why men and women can't work in unison as a partnership.
My relationships have been that way and people cannot relate at all. Why the heck not? Why does it have to me male vs. female?
Why can't there be balance? Are people afraid of that?
I don't know for sure what a masculinist is, but it sounds like a scared male having to assert himself every second. That's not what women want.
Not this woman anyhoo.
My understanding is that African society is/was matriachal, whereas western culture is patriarchal.
I don't see why societies can't be pamatriarchal??
For real, I can't understand why men and women can't work in unison as a partnership.
My relationships have been that way and people cannot relate at all. Why the heck not? Why does it have to me male vs. female?
Why can't there be balance? Are people afraid of that?
I don't know for sure what a masculinist is, but it sounds like a scared male having to assert himself every second. That's not what women want.
Not this woman anyhoo.quote:Originally posted by art_gurl:
I don't know for sure what a masculinist is, but it sounds like a scared male having to assert himself every second. That's not what women want.
So, does that mean that a feminist is a scared female having to assert herself every second?
That's not what men want (not this man anyway).
Touche, Black Viking, Touche! 
however... maybe there's a little truth in that... maybe that's where feminists came from... women who were surrounded by male dominance - physical, mental, language, customs, sexuality, society, work culture etc. - and women had to fight for the right not to be 'invisible' whether it was to have paid work or author a book under their own name not a male pseudonym. Women have always had to use a mix of assertiveness and female cunning to survive a male-dominated world.
I prefer cooperative relationships and partnerships, although contemporary society seems more about 'everyone for themselves'.
however... maybe there's a little truth in that... maybe that's where feminists came from... women who were surrounded by male dominance - physical, mental, language, customs, sexuality, society, work culture etc. - and women had to fight for the right not to be 'invisible' whether it was to have paid work or author a book under their own name not a male pseudonym. Women have always had to use a mix of assertiveness and female cunning to survive a male-dominated world.
I prefer cooperative relationships and partnerships, although contemporary society seems more about 'everyone for themselves'.
I refuse to box myself into a Eurocentric view of the world. To me a relationship between man and woman should be complimentary,one brings an aspect the the other lacks and visa versa
quote:Originally posted by art_gurl:
Touche, Black Viking, Touche!
"Thank you", he said with deep bow and a flourish of his cape and rapier...
quote:Women have always had to use a mix of assertiveness and female cunning to survive a male-dominated world.
I agree. But, how is that different from men? Men have to use a mix of assertiveness and cunning to survive in a male-dominated world. Like my dad says, "Life's tough all over". I resent the idea that women have it harder just because they're women. In some areas, they will have a harder time, but it's not as if men don't have their areas of inexpertise, or down right incompetence.
quote:I prefer cooperative relationships and partnerships,
As do I, but a true partnership must acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of both parties.
Well, I generally consider myself a Male Pro-Egalitarian Feminist, but now.....I dunno. Black Viking did make a good point about how Matriarchy and Patriarchy are both forms on non-egalitarian gender-relation.
However, I lean more towards Feminism because almost no society today is Matriarchal (although many African civilizations of the past were). Patriarchalism is a very much more real threat.
However, I lean more towards Feminism because almost no society today is Matriarchal (although many African civilizations of the past were). Patriarchalism is a very much more real threat.