...darned right! We have to live up to what "progressive" "women" call us!
Posted on 07/08/2005 10:47:56 PM PDT by goldstategop
Do conservatives regard women as inferior?
I sat in church on Mother's Day and listened to the pastor build his sermon around the book of Proverbs. Sadly, one point of emphasis was that "it is better for a man to live in the corner of a roof than share a house with a complaining wife." The pastor predictably joked that "his point was scriptural and not personal." But then went on in poor taste to make other jokes concerning his wife's shopping habits and the number of shoes in her closet.
On Father's Day, another pastor spoke, again from Proverbs. This time it was a wholly uplifting message on the role, impact and leadership of men. This message was driven home further on the Fourth of July, in which men, particularly those serving in our armed forces, were heralded as heroes for their self-sacrifice and commitment to God, family and country.
A rear admiral also spoke from the pulpit on "honor, courage and commitment." He said the best displays of these traits were illustrated by his wife as she supported him in his career, primarily raised the children, maintained the home and remained loyal to their relationship.
As these familiar examples illustrate, conservatives frequently extol and focus on a very limited view of women. Despite this tendency, I don't think conservatives regard women as inferior. Rather, it is a liberal spin that has over-capitalized on a rather obvious (although not exclusive) area of appreciation conservatives have for women.
In response to the liberal spin, conservatives appear either too arrogant or too lazy to correct the perception that women are viewed inferior or valued only in the limited capacity of wife and mother. What's worse, it appears widely acceptable to take the position that any flawed perception is the problem of the consumer.
So what of those too young or naive to wade through the rhetoric? What of those abused by similar views taken to an extreme? What of those who don't yet understand or grasp their value? What of single, infertile and widowed women? And what of women, dare I say it, who actually want to work outside the home?
Uncorrected, the number of women lost to the left will grow exponentially. This is simply no way for conservatives to broaden their base or embrace the next generation of women. And let's not overlook the men who will marry them.
The worst part of the conservative's failure to correct this perception is that liberals have usurped and distorted the very meaning of feminism. Today, it has been successfully spun so far left that it is epitomized by women willing to kill their own children in the womb.
The good news is that all of this is fixable. First, it would be good for conservatives to give a few more kudos to women called outside the traditional roles and – dare I suggest it – support them along the way. Second, it might help in some cases for the more traditional leaders to take a class on sensitivity training … OK, OK, at least a class in 21st century communication skills. Third, and I have to say it, it would help if the old codgers among us who do hold rather blatantly chauvinistic views stepped into the 21st century and recognized that women can think outside the cake box.
Finally, the hardest part may begin with conservative women recognizing our true value and then holding each other up when our sisters choose a path different from our own. From there we must take the lead in redefining true feminism in America. One very close friend wrote me about the importance of holding onto our true femininity even when ignored, overlooked, undervalued and frustrated. She also wrote the following poem about transitioning from the world's distorted perception of feminine to its true meaning.
There was a time when I was a rebel on the mount. My hair was wild; my attitude harsh and proud. I stood on that mountain alone and fierce and invited those I wished to live at my feet. The numbers were few. Storms came strong and mighty. At first, when the lightening and thunder came you could see my form contrasted by the light: fist raised, hand on hip and proud! But the storms became too strong and though I fought and fought and fought, I finally lay beside my mountain to see it was only a hill.
I looked at my scarred hands, bent back and harsh spirit, and said, "Is this all that I'm fighting for?" I turned and looked at those who yet stood beside me. They were war torn. Then with a crackling voice I said, "I give up. I can't make this work. Look at what I've done to you so that I could remain on this peak of desolation."
So I took off the rude helmet that I had made for myself. Laid down my armor of irritation; my weapon of anger; took off my breastplate of haughtiness and went to wash in God's river.
The water revealed a woman, soft hair, soft eyes, gentle hands and quiet voice. I stepped out and put on the garments that He quietly laid out for me – a gentle and kind disposition, a tender and obedient spirit, quietness and confidence for strength and I was stunned … the garments fit me perfectly.
The point of the article and poem is to delineate a "New Choice" for women in America. That is to overcome the knee-jerk reaction to be offended by the often narrowly focused view of women by conservatives, overcome the liberal spin and reject the distorted interpretation of feminism that has become so prevalent. Assuming conservatives do not view women as inferior, they could help in the process by improving their efforts to uphold the inherent value of every woman not just those filling traditional roles.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
Mrs. Hugin loves to shop and has about 100 pairs of shoes. Is there something wrong with joking about it? Are only women allowed to joke about the opposite sex?
My own political ideology is fairly libertarian, although not the lunatic anarchist brand. In that ideology there is imo the highest respect one can have for women(and men), is that you believe they can make decisions in their own life.
The liberals don't respect women enough to let them decide what medication they want to take, or even whether they want to put on a seatbelt. True respect imo is letting people make decisions for their own life, how they want. Liberals believe they can make decisions for women, better then the women can themselves. How to spend their donations, to 'guide' them with tax breaks in some areas but not others, to regulate them down.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
Scroll down the next time, they're here.
That is a scary thought lol. I've thought before its sort of scary that 'liberated' women, then turned to an even more domineering master in the form of the state.
I must say there is a growing number of young women however, which don't think that way, there has been a rebirth in the interest in some of the radical feminists who didn't want the state dictating things either. Even things like prostitution. Of course abortion then becomes a big difference.. but I like the angle that hey wait a minute what about the baby girls rights?
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
you sound like an arrogant little prick.
No offense intended.
Later feminazism disguised as something else pingout.
I was a fly on the wall in '69 in Berkeley at several "womens' liberation" meetings - the beginning of the womens' movement. They were all, every single one of them, dope smoking, screeching, angry, vengeful man hating lesbians, and I am not exaggerating one single bit.
The writer of the above article drank the Koolaid and though it was nutritious grape juice.
I feel like I have joined you in the Twilight Zone.
I'm here too....
Red lights that flash and go "aWOOGa aWOOOGa".
In all truth, it never fails to amaze me regarding the number of posters that jump in to fight on threads like this.
No inferiority, just different talents, most of which fall within gender groupings. Read 1st Corinthians 12.
I have yet to meet the man, conservative or no, who's brave enough to tell me he considers me his inferior.
BTW, any chance I could sweet-talk you into removing the "and" from before "Fox News"?
Your red tagline would flow without it. With it, I fetch up wondering what that "and" is in there for.
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