Worth
- Aiselyn
- Mar 16, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 14, 2020
fem·i·nism/ˈfeməˌnizəm/noun
the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes.
Feminism, based on its definition, claims that equality is its main goal. And in that endeavor, many feminists claim that the support of all women, no matter their personal case, is just secondary to equality. However, based on what I have seen, this is not the case. Just this week I read two blog posts; one written by Rachel Wallace, who wanted to share her views on feminism with the perspective that women and men were not created equal. The other, a response blog from Meghan Tschanz, stating her opposing view, but instead of using her own words, she mocked the tone of the Rachel’s post.
This response is everything wrong with feminism.
I have no problem with someone sharing their thoughts, as that’s what I am doing now. But to use another persons words and tone of writing against them, even with good intent, is wrong. Meghan claimed that her response was in an effort to shine a light on the objectification and degradation of women, but Meghan’s response was extremely degrading to Rachel. She contradicted herself with her own actions.
And this is my issue.
I have been thinking about our worth, our roles, and what we find these things in. International Women’s Day was this month and I saw, read, and heard several different perspectives on this topic. From a point of view of a conservative Christian woman who stays at home, to the harsh reality of the wage gap and the fight for equality from feminists around the world. I’ve decided to share the thoughts that I have been mulling over for almost a year now.
I have been studying what scripture has to say about marriage, relationships, and roles throughout the past year as they have become more relevant to me. I have found that nowhere in scripture does it say that you must be a stay at home mom or that you cannot have a job, and so on and so forth. Throughout scripture, the roles of men and women are defined within the church, within a marriage, and within the home. But even these roles have room for cultural growth, personal choice, and understanding from those outside a particular situation.
Here’s what I found.
A wife is called to be the helpmate of her husband (Genesis 2:18) This means that you HELP. That you work together for the good of your family and for the good of each other. I find that the extremes of complementarianism and feminism attack each other, instead of looking for common ground. Feminism calls for unity and equality, and yet left-wing feminists can’t see the point of view of a more conservative, or traditional, woman who feels that staying at home is right for her.
I have done some research into the different labels or types of feminism. Specifically more conservative views, as that is the way I naturally lean. My favorite definition would have to be that of the right-wing feminist. “Right-wing feminism, or balanced feminism, includes the work of Independent Women’s Forum, Feminists for Life of America, and ifeminists.net headed by Wendy McElroy. It generally draws on principles of first-wave feminism, and is at odds with postfeminism and academic or radical feminism, the latter being defined to include left and progressive politics, not only feminism based on gender oppression. Right-wing feminism supports both motherhood and careers, individual choice and biological determinism; it accepts gender equality in careers while believing that numerical equality will naturally not occur in all occupations.”
It’s okay to be a stay at home mom. It’s okay to work. It’s okay if you don’t fit into any particular category. Your label is not who you are.
Every person has their own particular point of view and there is so much division in the world from trying to make everyone see MY point of view. But that is never going to happen. Nearly every “-ism” causes disunity, when they claim they are fighting FOR unity.
Pride is trying to make everyone think like and be like you, but humility is the acceptance and coordination of differences.
I know that my role as a woman is to respect myself, to honor God in my actions, and to be dignified in all that I do. I am getting a secondary education so that I can work a better job than what I do now. I am fully prepared and ready to work together with someone for the rest of my life, or to work by myself if that is what God has for me. My “role” isn’t defined as either a stay-at-home wife and mother OR as a working woman OR as a quiet, submissive wife, OR as any one thing. My role in life, everyone’s role in life, is to serve God as best they can. To glorify Him in all that I do, in every situation He presents me with.
My point in all of this is that we are given guidelines and encouragement in scripture on how to comport ourselves. We are given the role of supporter, helper, and so many other things. The fight for equality is great, but my traditionalist self does still believe that men will always be better at some things and vice versa with women. We are given abilities as women and men that are from God and I believe that what we do with those abilities defines our roles. Defines who we are. God has given each sex a role, and the thing is, God isn’t fighting against us. He wants what is best for us, so why do we question what is laid out in scripture?
If you made it to the end of this L O N G post, THANK YOU! I would love feedback and thoughts as I continue to search out what scripture has to say on this subject!
Rachel’s post
Meghan’s post
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