General Discussion

boston bean

(36,408 posts) Mon Mar 18, 2013, 11:24 AM Mar 2013

Do you think the purpose of feminist theory [View all]

is to bash men and criticize men?

or

Do you think its purpose is to further equality for women?

Just checking....

20 votes, 8 passes \| Time left: Unlimited
	Bash men and criticize men
	2 (10%)
	Further equality for women
	18 (90%)
	8 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

213 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Do you think the purpose of feminist theory [View all] boston bean Mar 2013 OP

I think, like most theories, it is an academic MineralMan Mar 2013 #1

All DU polls offer "pass", without the OP adding it. boston bean Mar 2013 #2

I did choose that option. MineralMan Mar 2013 #4

The idea that women are of equal status is "an academic theory"? Egalitarian Thug Mar 2013 #7

No, of course not. Feminist theory MineralMan Mar 2013 #16

And the reason for acknowledging it, reading it and using it, is?? boston bean Mar 2013 #19

That was not the question asked by your poll. MineralMan Mar 2013 #21

I don't get it. whatever. boston bean Mar 2013 #24

It's purely a language issue. MineralMan Mar 2013 #31

There is no misuse of the word theory. boston bean Mar 2013 #33

Theories seek to explain things. That is their purpose. MineralMan Mar 2013 #35

ok, still think you could have chosen an option. boston bean Mar 2013 #46

I vote 'pass' because I understand the goal to be the geek tragedy Mar 2013 #3

But, given that I just said that the goal includes equality for women, geek tragedy Mar 2013 #5

Isn't it only radical feminists who focus on overthrowing the patriarchy? redqueen Mar 2013 #6

I can only communicate my basic understanding of the term. geek tragedy Mar 2013 #9

True, but it is still equality that is sought. boston bean Mar 2013 #11

I guess I think of it as "why should women settle for being geek tragedy Mar 2013 #14

Yep. Helen Reddy Mar 2013 #28

Just to be clear, men should not settle for being equal to what we are geek tragedy Mar 2013 #29

Based on some of the recent trivial issue... Bonobo Mar 2013 #8

This may be the most patronizing and condescending geek tragedy Mar 2013 #13

Thank you. I am honored. Bonobo Mar 2013 #15

Nah, this is all you and your profound insight geek tragedy Mar 2013 #17

I am glad to see that I am beginning to win you over. Bonobo Mar 2013 #23

I'm sure the feminists appreciate you telling them what geek tragedy Mar 2013 #27

Please stop using "the feminists" as if we are all some monolithic entity kdmorris Mar 2013 #175

Very well, "these feminists" will work as an errata? Nt geek tragedy Mar 2013 #178

Not good form ismnotwasm Mar 2013 #32

You're right, I think I'm slipping in the snark department. Bonobo Mar 2013 #34

No, definitely bitter ismnotwasm Mar 2013 #38

I dropped a whole pan full of Japanese white "leeks" tonight Bonobo Mar 2013 #42

Ew ismnotwasm Mar 2013 #44

My son found 2 carpet threads. I was shamed but stopped short of seppuku. Bonobo Mar 2013 #50

Yes Dads certainly do ismnotwasm Mar 2013 #54

Yeah, surprisingly men have the whole gamut of emotions at our disposal as well. nt Bonobo Mar 2013 #58

Well try being less adversarial ismnotwasm Mar 2013 #61

I also had my 20th anniversary this year Bonobo Mar 2013 #67

Your first post in this thread was an attack on feminists geek tragedy Mar 2013 #71

Perhaps you are blind to your own lack of endearing qualities... Bonobo Mar 2013 #82

Yes, your personal attack on feminists who say stuff that makes you as a man geek tragedy Mar 2013 #100

I find myself, unsurprisingly,... Bonobo Mar 2013 #105

"white knight" ah, the term of derision used by anti-feminist men to describe geek tragedy Mar 2013 #110

And the reality is that I find you to be a hypocrite Bonobo Mar 2013 #115

Yeah, your constant whining about feminists and posting anti-feminist rants geek tragedy Mar 2013 #127

confused. raising hand here. white knight bad when allied with feminist. good when pulling out chair seabeyond Mar 2013 #157

Allow me to translate: geek tragedy Mar 2013 #158

wow. just wow. shit like this, the so obvious in your face crap that people pretend they do not see. seabeyond Mar 2013 #161

Post removed Post removed Mar 2013 #133

So what's your deal with feminists then? ismnotwasm Mar 2013 #81

I get annoyed by the American style of dualistic thinking Bonobo Mar 2013 #86

I haven't seen too much what I consider extremist. ismnotwasm Mar 2013 #106

You know what? Bonobo Mar 2013 #111

From my point of view, and statistics I trust back me up ismnotwasm Mar 2013 #131

My, my, ism... reduced to using the dread "tone argument"?!?! opiate69 Mar 2013 #179

Why are you being so antagonistic to her? Is that really necessary? nomorenomore08 Mar 2013 #200

We have a history of butting heads.. tho I will agree she can be quite reasonable at times.. opiate69 Mar 2013 #202

Fair enough. The "tone argument" is fairly pointless no matter who uses it. nomorenomore08 Mar 2013 #206

I imagine many people do indeed write of fingers burned by toast... LanternWaste Mar 2013 #113

I will wait for the English translation of that post. Nt Bonobo Mar 2013 #117

"Just the ones that see shadows around every corner" NCTraveler Mar 2013 #92

Here's the thing, HappyMe Mar 2013 #36

I'm glad you have finally found a "reason" to boston bean Mar 2013 #39

As I said, if I wanted that option HappyMe Mar 2013 #52

Still, very happy for you, happy me! boston bean Mar 2013 #121

Bless your heart. HappyMe Mar 2013 #124

Yes, bless my beating heart. Happy me!!!!!!!!! nt boston bean Mar 2013 #126

What you have liked better as an option? ismnotwasm Mar 2013 #43

That poster is eager to dismiss the concerns geek tragedy Mar 2013 #49

Interesting. And the snark in the post he replied to was ... ? nt redqueen Mar 2013 #60

+100000000000 redqueen Mar 2013 #45

+1 Sargasso Sea Mar 2013 #22

From the one who dismissed ismnotwasm Mar 2013 #26

"Precious." Here I thought the term a derogatory expression for my gun... Eleanors38 Mar 2013 #56

Pass. HappyMe Mar 2013 #10

So that leads me to believe that you do feel that boston bean Mar 2013 #12

If I thought that I would have HappyMe Mar 2013 #18

Just the usually equivocation ismnotwasm Mar 2013 #20

A lot of men are in favor of feminism so long as geek tragedy Mar 2013 #25

Yep! redqueen Mar 2013 #62

That sounds more like projection. polly7 Mar 2013 #66

It's observation. geek tragedy Mar 2013 #70

Ahh .... it sounded like you might actually have some convincing polly7 Mar 2013 #72

If you want examples: geek tragedy Mar 2013 #80

Yep. And it isn't that they disagree, it's the hair on fire freakouts. redqueen Mar 2013 #87

Zealot like? polly7 Mar 2013 #93

Wow, really? Still? Even after you were shown to be so disingenuous redqueen Mar 2013 #97

What are you talking about? polly7 Mar 2013 #101

Really? Really?! redqueen Mar 2013 #103

How strange. polly7 Mar 2013 #108

Um... cyberswede Mar 2013 #154

This message was self-deleted by its author polly7 Mar 2013 #176

The point for me is, why was this disgusting bit of trivia brought to DU... pacalo Mar 2013 #181

Thank you. I thought it was obvious. polly7 Mar 2013 #183

And to heighten the flames of the torches & sharpen the pitchforks. pacalo Mar 2013 #187

LaPierresque. nt geek tragedy Mar 2013 #99

That is a misinterpretation of projection. ismnotwasm Mar 2013 #75

Phrases like "you little man" & "you men" certainly contribute to the men-are-the-enemy perception. pacalo Mar 2013 #184

There is a difference between the goal and the method (nt) The Straight Story Mar 2013 #30

This, I agree. nt Raine1967 Mar 2013 #135

It's just what people use to say about boston bean Mar 2013 #136

Perhaps you meant to tell that to the person I agreed with. Raine1967 Mar 2013 #156

I was lecturing? A couple of short sentences is lecturing? boston bean Mar 2013 #165

Please don't feign ignorance. Raine1967 Mar 2013 #168

You are alienating me with your post. boston bean Mar 2013 #169

I think you will be just fine. Raine1967 Mar 2013 #171

I am fine and don't need you to tell me whether I am or not. boston bean Mar 2013 #173

I never said you needed anything. Raine1967 Mar 2013 #174

Let's see boston bean Mar 2013 #177

All I will say is....this discussion nadinbrzezinski Mar 2013 #203

The bashing ... 99Forever Mar 2013 #37

This whole thread will be bashing anyone that dares to respond Bonobo Mar 2013 #40

Of course it will. 99Forever Mar 2013 #47

No I don't ismnotwasm Mar 2013 #90

+1 Well said. nt oldhippie Mar 2013 #182

My vote is every bit as serious as the poll itself pintobean Mar 2013 #48

For the record, it was quite serious. boston bean Mar 2013 #84

So, it's not the theory, it's those that put it into practice? boston bean Mar 2013 #41

Asked and answered. 99Forever Mar 2013 #53

Yep, it was asked and it was answered. boston bean Mar 2013 #57

Why do you use the word "militant"? nt redqueen Mar 2013 #64

Perhaps... 99Forever Mar 2013 #68

No, I'm not the one using it. redqueen Mar 2013 #74

"Physician heal thyself." 99Forever Mar 2013 #79

Rush would have said the same thing to Sandra Fluke. boston bean Mar 2013 #85

Would he? 99Forever Mar 2013 #89

From what I read on DU about the incident, I'm sure it's so. nt boston bean Mar 2013 #91

Well alrighty then. 99Forever Mar 2013 #95

I speak for myself. Thanks for trying to give me more power, but I reject it just the same. boston bean Mar 2013 #98

Really? 99Forever Mar 2013 #104

Rush Limbaugh says it all the time. Militant, feminazi's etc boston bean Mar 2013 #107

As I said above. 99Forever Mar 2013 #114

I told you what he says. so now you know. boston bean Mar 2013 #116

It's part of the 'shaming', I believe. HappyMe Mar 2013 #118

Saying feminists are militant is something rush limbaugh says. boston bean Mar 2013 #120

LOL!! HappyMe Mar 2013 #123

What method? Pointing out that someone is saying boston bean Mar 2013 #125

do you know who Cathy Brennan is? snooper2 Mar 2013 #163

No I don't. nt boston bean Mar 2013 #164

I agree with you... one_voice Mar 2013 #185

You couldn't possibly apply that to boston bean Mar 2013 #209

I'm not sure I understand what you're.. one_voice Mar 2013 #210

Social Justice JustAnotherGen Mar 2013 #51

And if social justice was achieved, what would we have? boston bean Mar 2013 #55

Depends on how you look at it JustAnotherGen Mar 2013 #151

And that is a very, very good point ismnotwasm Mar 2013 #109

John Stuart Mill's JustAnotherGen Mar 2013 #152

Lots of theories in feminism LittleBlue Mar 2013 #59

This argument sort of reminds me of the gun nuttery of the extremes. Whisp Mar 2013 #63

I think theories on feminism provide perspectives/points of view HereSince1628 Mar 2013 #65

That's why the 'One Billion Rising' ismnotwasm Mar 2013 #73

I think you make really good points. boston bean Mar 2013 #78

+10,000 smirkymonkey Mar 2013 #155

The purpose of the movement is to further women's equality. Nye Bevan Mar 2013 #69

I think you missed the point. boston bean Mar 2013 #76

I agree that rape causes women to live in fear and I hate that, Nye Bevan Mar 2013 #94

It was a response to the fact of what women face boston bean Mar 2013 #102

I see two misogynist trolls outed themselves. LeftyMom Mar 2013 #77

Maybe they don't know we can click to see their names. KamaAina Mar 2013 #96

I'm aware pintobean Mar 2013 #170

Don't really give a shit whatchamacallit Mar 2013 #83

"A man of quality is not threatened by a woman seeking equality." talkingmime Mar 2013 #88

Nice! ismnotwasm Mar 2013 #112

If anything, females are the superior gender. I'm just a guy. talkingmime Mar 2013 #119

That's some multi-layered sexism right there The2ndWheel Mar 2013 #128

Okay. I'm confused. I just think women are superior. Normally men think they are. talkingmime Mar 2013 #130

Superior doesn't equal equal right? The2ndWheel Mar 2013 #141

Our rule on dinner was always "who has any money?" talkingmime Mar 2013 #144

If women are superior, and comparatively precious, then we're doing all the wrong things. lumberjack_jeff Mar 2013 #143

Well, I'll go with the responsibility thing, but not the authority thing. talkingmime Mar 2013 #146

You can't have one without the other. lumberjack_jeff Mar 2013 #147

Why not? My wife rules the nest but I'd lay down my life for her. talkingmime Mar 2013 #148

You're conflating the culture with your household. lumberjack_jeff Mar 2013 #149

I honestly can't say about every woman, but probably. Certainly any child. talkingmime Mar 2013 #150

We're not talking about children. We're talking about women. They are different things. lumberjack_jeff Mar 2013 #159

I don't think that way. My life is a throw away. I've lived it. talkingmime Mar 2013 #162

"Men are expendable in defense of the women" No.... YoungDemCA Mar 2013 #211

The person I'm responding to is a man. lumberjack_jeff Mar 2013 #212

Someone just posted a George Carlin video saying something similar ismnotwasm Mar 2013 #134

I hear there are some anti-abortion bills progressing in the states. Comrade Grumpy Mar 2013 #122

Nah, it's just a bunch of smartass uppity wimmens who don't know their place. Zorra Mar 2013 #129

Sarcasm tag necessary., geek tragedy Mar 2013 #132

Yep, now, them wimmens is really gettin' out of hand. Best to take 'em Zorra Mar 2013 #137

It's changed to the "method" now. We are down to the methods used. boston bean Mar 2013 #138

I see. Zorra Mar 2013 #139

lol seabeyond Mar 2013 #166

I think the purpose of feminist "theory" is to create a mental model for understanding things Recursion Mar 2013 #140

"There are as many purposes of feminist practice as there are practitioners of feminism." Good point nomorenomore08 Mar 2013 #204

I think it's worth making the distinction between feminist theory and its practical application. n/t lumberjack_jeff Mar 2013 #142

I find the terms 'bash' and 'criticize' to mean two different things. Rex Mar 2013 #145

To explain historic gender relations and to deconstruct assumptions about those relations. nt Deep13 Mar 2013 #153

Nice! Beautiful in its essential succinctness. Zorra Mar 2013 #160

to deconstruct assumptions about those relations. seabeyond Mar 2013 #167

none of the above HiPointDem Mar 2013 #172

Neither. It is to provide employment for academics. cthulu2016 Mar 2013 #180

Do you feel the same about professors of black studies and LGBT issues MattBaggins Mar 2013 #189

I am certain that its purpose is NOT to bash and/or criticize men... cherokeeprogressive Mar 2013 #186

If the purpose of your feminist "theory" is to further equality for women, pacalo Mar 2013 #188

Perhaps all those problems you saw MattBaggins Mar 2013 #190

Oh, yes!1! It certainly wasn't very *obvious*, was it, Matt? pacalo Mar 2013 #192

No the vile attacks against women who dare suggest MattBaggins Mar 2013 #193

If only they had presented themselves as having an affable "concern"... pacalo Mar 2013 #194

I didn't see that. MattBaggins Mar 2013 #195

"The usual bunch of suspects" who wouldn't stand by silently as that group pacalo Mar 2013 #196

If that's how you perceive it MattBaggins Mar 2013 #197

Thank you, Sir Matt!1! pacalo Mar 2013 #198

I don't like to vote in push polls quinnox Mar 2013 #191

I gave it the consideration it deserves. pacalo Mar 2013 #199

I'm not the type for elegantly stated theories and mission statements. Warpy Mar 2013 #201

Another pass nadinbrzezinski Mar 2013 #205

Any "man" who feels upset by feminist theory Zoeisright Mar 2013 #207

Which Feminism? Which Theory? Warren DeMontague Mar 2013 #208

Feminist theory as used in 2013 is not "the old standby" you are operating under. lumberjack_jeff Mar 2013 #213