For reasons that I won't go into here, the Women's and Gender Studies Program where I work may start offering a class in something like Anti-Feminist Rhetoric, or Anti-Feminist Cultural Discourse--something like that. I actually think this could be a very lively class. It would be interesting, and certainly very educational, to read texts by folks who either don't believe that inequality exists, or don't believe that it's a problem--or even folks who argue that women aren't fully human.
Thoughts on must-read texts?
10 years ago
21 comments:
I think that this would be a really great class. It will definitely spark a conversation on both sides, I don't have any must-reads yet but I will begin to look!
Phyllis Schlafly.
I'll also ask Carol - she used to have an anti-feminist collection.
I wish I had a list of possible texts to offer (well, actually I don't--who needs that kind of bad mojo in their day?). Instead, all I can say is, are you serious?
you should read "my sister is a broomstick" or "atta-girl: a young lady's guide to settling down".
You could start with the Marriage Group of the Canterbury Tales. Or, really, anything from the Bible by Paul about women, for some deep background on antifeminism in the West.
There's a book called "my sister is a broomstick"? What does that mean?
I don't have any suggestions, but I did want to say that [as an MUSC student], I wish I could take some of your classes! I'm jealous of the courses your students get the opportunity to take.
Alison, I would like to take that class if it is offered next semester - that is if im still here next semester. Would it be an english class or a women's and gender studies class?
I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell
While it may not qualify *exactly* as anti-feminist, "Who Stole Feminism" by Christina Hoff Sommers was the first book I thought of in response to the question:
http://books.google.com/books?id=Yx0pAAAAYAAJ&sitesec=reviews&source=gbs_navlinks_s
Ian's correct. I used to have all sorts of little gems of anitfeminist screed. I got rid of a bunch of them when I culled my collection a few years ago. I'll take a look tomorrow and see if I kept any.
I am so glad Kenneth suggested _I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell_ -- I was worried it would be too 'un-academic' to suggest...definitely, definitely, definitely.
I have read it the whole way through, for this specific purpose. It's disgusting.
Thanks for all the feedback! The suggestions are all very helpful. The class probably won't be on the books in time for you to take it, Emboogie, and it'll be WGST rather than ENGL. And Another Chance to Get It Right, I'm sorry you can't take any of my classes!
Selections from Emily Post's letter-writing guide in her book "Etiquette." She speaks to the Manhattan socialite and sheds really interesting light on the role of women and how they should present themselves. Obviously, a bit anachronistic, but interesting stuff.
Any of the literature handed out by anti-choicers at the Clinic. They're not books but they are certainly...enlightening. (??)
Also, that jerkoff Camille Paglia (did I spell that right?). I don't know if she's written books but she writes truly reprehensible articles.
Oh, and of course - Marabel Morgan's The Total Woman. What could be better than a mid-seventies anti-feminist self-help book encouraging unhappy fundamentalist evangelical women to rescue their struggling Christian marriage via expensive lingerie and radical submission! Weee!
Anti-feminism? Wouldn't that just be the status quo? The class should just read selections from the daily newspaper and elementary school (and up) textbooks.
I suggest pieces that take on the issue itself. Why read anti-feminist writing? Or why might the study be less worthwhile for us than we think?
I'll brainstorm and if I can be more specific, I'll write again!
-Fellow Feminist
I think the book "Witchcraze: A New History of the European Witch Hunts" would provoke some serious outrage. Also, the "return to modesty" books by Wendy Shalit and co. which focus on revolutionary "good girls" who don't dirty themselves by having sex because they have standards.
This class sounds really interesting!
Select chapters from any of Ann Coulter's books (also, selected newspaper columns should provide grist for the mill).
Who knows, publicity hound that she is, Ann might be willing to make a personal appearance...what a hoot that would be at Physician's Auditorium.
Men and women are different biologically, mentally. and emotionally. Its like comparing letters to numbers, niether is better but niether is equal. Also, there wasn't antifeminism until there was feminism, which has become a facist movement to victimize men in most situations. Dont believe me, too bad.
"...neither is better but neither is equal" ??
Seriously? What does that even mean?
Try Ellen Klein who wrote Feminism Under Fire. She's done quite a bit of writing on this topic. She quotes Christina Hoff Sommers regularly, so you may want to look at her as well.
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