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The Essence of FeminismTestimony of a converted feministTHE ESSENCE OF FEMINISM 'I have thought of myself as a feminist throughout my adult life,' writes Birkett, 'and have read and approved, as well as critiqued a wide range of feminist texts. It seemed a basically sensible philosophy. Women deserve to be treated with exactly the dignity and respect that men do as human beings.' (9) Having begun her research as a feminist, she discovered that the social project called 'feminism' is fundamentally flawed. It aimed for the breakdown of traditional marriage and for women to have careers on the same terms as men. Both goals worked against women's interests. Birkett begins by examining the realities of life for modern women. The decline of marriage has been bad news for women, as well as everyone else. Women have not been liberated by the 'freedom' to cohabit or divorce - instead many of them are trapped in poverty, and broken marriages result in misery. Similarly, the much lauded 'freedom' to go out to work disguises the brutal reality that many families need two earners just to maintain a very basic standard of living. The business world, then, has acquired two workers for one family wage, where it used to get only one for that amount. Capitalism has profited from women entering the workforce, but women and their families have merely seen the value of their wages drop . . . Debates over how equally the housework is divided between husband and wife cannot conceal the basic problem which is that women have not seen their lives become easier and more pleasant as a result of their labours, but rather more complicated and stressful.' (23) Big namesMuch of the book consists of a close examination of the writing of leading feminists such as Simone de Beauvoir, Betty Friedan and Germaine Greer. Birkett concludes that feminist philosophy is fundamentally selfish - based on self-interest and aiming at self-fulfillment. This results in flawed ethics - such as the promotion of abortion which actually tramples on the rights of unborn females (as well as males). Feminists have hijacked history and constructed a mythology. Four areas are discussed: women's work, education, suffrage, and help for prostitutes. 'The story, repeated in feminist texts and introductory works is very unfair to the women who fought social battles in the 19th century. Modern feminism claims continuity with a tradition that is, in truth, not theirs. They write their own views into the battles of the past, even though the battles were fought on quite different grounds.' (104) Feminists claim 'victories', when social reforms were often brought about by factors other than feminist pressure, and claim 'heroines' when in fact the women they praise may not have been feminist in ideology at all. Birkett concludes: 'Feminism is a selfish movement, with no sustainable philosophy, a fabricated history, and an incoherent morality. It does not bring freedom and fulfilment for women, and it will not right injustices.' (121). The book is necessarily negative - a strong critique of an almost universally accepted mode of thinking, but the author argues that real freedom and fulfilment can only be found in the gospel. Strongly recommended. Sharon James, Leamington Spa© Evangelicals Now - August 2001 |