Feminist Meme
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James Joyner | Thursday, August 9, 2007 |
According to the latest quiz meme sweeping the Internets, I’m an 81% feminist:
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You Are 81% Feminist |
 You are a total feminist. This doesn’t mean you’re a man hater (in fact, you may be a man). You just think that men and women should be treated equally. It’s a simple idea but somehow complicated for the world to put into action. |
Despite the totality of my feminism, I score lower than Helen Smith (aka “InstaWife”) and Jim Henley, neither of which surprises me. Indeed, I scored higher than I’d have expected.
I will say, though, that most of the questions (there are only 10 total) are rather dubious.
1. Women should be economically and socially independent. They shouldn’t rely on men to take care of them.
As a general matter, I strongly agree that women should pursue social and economic independence. Certainly, they shouldn’t rush into marriage in order to have someone “take care of them.” On the other hand, it often makes sense for a married woman to stay home and raise the kids and take care of the household while her husband works. If a woman makes that choice, it should be respected. Since that wasn’t one of the choices, though, I gave that one a “Not sure.”
2. There is no such thing as a “man’s job.” It is wrong for men to be given preference for any job position, even if women traditionally aren’t in that field.
While I 97% agree with this one, I nonetheless answered “Disagree” because of “no such thing” and “any.” Women aren’t suited to be Army Rangers, Navy SEALS, NFL linemen, and a whole host of jobs that require tremendous physical strength, nor should teams be disrupted to find out if there are a tiny handful of exceptions. And, unless it’s an all-female cast, it’s silly to cast women in men’s parts in films and plays.
5. Women should accept their bodies as they are. Women should not have to conform to wacky beauty ideals.
This question is poorly formulated. While I agree fully with the second sentence, it’s only because it’s tautological. Of course, no one should have to conform to “wacky” ideals; I suspect, however, my definition of “wacky” would differ from the survey creator’s. But neither men nor women should “accept their bodies as they are” if they’re fat and out of shape.
6. A woman should be able to marry and have kids with anyone she wants – including another woman.
I actually strongly agree with that one, at least in theory, but it doesn’t have anything to do with “Feminism” but rather my view of the proper role for government. (I’m increasingly dubious as to whether deeming people “married” is a legitimate state function but let that pass for the sake of the quiz.)
UPDATE: Other quiz takers: Eugene Volokh (95%), Steve Bainbridge (57%) and Liz Mair (79%).
About the Author: James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. He lives just outside the Beltway in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and infant daughter.
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I think my score probably suffered from my reluctance to "strongly agree" with anything.
The definition given at the top of the page is patently false. Any "masculist" knows that feminism is "misohominy".[lol]
You're more of a feminist than I, James. I'm only 75% feminist.
I think my score probably suffered from my reluctance to "strongly agree" with anything.
Mine, as well (74%). Not to mention that, as with James' last example, I don't see the morning after pill (or other forms of abortion) as relating to one's views about female equality per se; it's a tangential issue, at best.
I was trying to pick up a broad at a local tavern the other night who had a button on her bag that said: "Feminism is the radical notion that women are people."
I wasn't able to parlay my feigned interest in the button into a hook-up, but maybe if I can say I hit 85% on the Feminist quiz, I will surely score a classy dame!
A woman should be able to marry and have kids with anyone she wants - including another woman.
After the repeal of the laws of nature
I'm generally one of the more liberal ones commenting here, and I only scored a 67%. Maybe I read the questions differently.
Maybe I read the questions differently.
Could well be. The survey is very poorly written, with two many double barreled questions (i.e., having two components, one of which a reader may agree with and another not) and poorly worded questions.
I'm 32% a feminist. What, just because I expect a man to do all of the work inviting a woman out, then pick up the tab, not try to score on her, work his ass off to support kids resulting from unintended pregnancy (although she should've said "No" in the first place) and otherwise slave away to maintain a woman in the comfort to which she ought to be entitled?
Whatever.
I'm a 42%, hey ain't that the answer to life, the universe, and everything.........
87%
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