I am a feminist. I believe that women are equal to men, and capable of major and important contributions to society.
I also happen to believe that men are equal to women and our differences notwithstanding, are also just as important, and beneficial an influence on society as women.
I find myself in a very lonely minority. Either I get told sternly that all men are bastards and all women creatures of spiritual superiority or I get the “come on all women really want is to get preggers and stay at home” speech. Usually from women, by the way, god help us all.
I wonder is there any room left in our increasingly vacuous examination fo the “battle of the sexes” for rational and balanced opinions? “All” women? “All” men? are there any such animals? Many women wish to work, even if they could afford not to. Many mroe wish to work, but with a few years off to better raise their infant children, resuming work when said children reach school-going age. Some women want to be traditional stay-at-home mothers. All valid choices. But we have to allow men the same choices. A man can stay at home if he wishes, rearing children. A man can give up work on a whim and change jobs or go back to college. If it’s acceptable for women once married or in a partnership to rely on their spouses for financial support then it must be acceptable for men. Except of course it isn’t!
Mind you most men of my acquaintance don’t want to stay at home. They want to support their families, and they like being responsible adults. Vive le Difference, I say. Let men be men, they’re good at it. And these little differences serve only to highlight the huge areas of commonality between the sexes; a desire to love and be loved, to be appreciated, to have a safe and secure home, to have a loving relationship. It may come as a surprise to the “all men are bastards” brigade but men have feelings too….
