In the New York Times an article entitled "After Strauss-Kahn's Arrest, Frenchwomen Speak Out" the writers propose that French women feel Strauss-Kahn's arrest will fuel women's rights in France, particularly concerning sexual harassment. The article itself is hopeful, siting the American Justice system directly correlates to American Feminism. It implies that because we openly prosecute an extremely important man for allegedly attacking a woman that Feminism is more actualized and recognized than in France. I see two problems with this: firstly, there's a big difference between the procedures of the American Justice system and how Feminism is perceived in America. Secondly, what is Feminism? (And I don't mean to spark a tiresome and overdone debate on the definition of feminism.) I do not believe that "Feminism" can be seen as merely how a country deals with sexual offenders. Feminism is a belief in certain values that are not limited to the legal system. I also believe that Feminism can only be seen as successfully integrated into a culture when these beliefs are present within culture and NOT just through the legal system. The article implies that Feminism is both respect for women in terms of prosecuting sexual offenders and also a culture of respect for women in general.
These are two VERY different ideas.
Prosecuting a man for his sexual harassment of women IS a reflection of the country's view on women. In America, as the article implies, this means that an attack on a woman is unacceptable no matter whom the offender is (the other issue is the fact that women are discouraged from speaking out because of the powerful roles certain men have-the issue of discretion is another one I am not looking to address). But prosecuting a man for attacking a woman doesn't necessarily mean that Feminism is completely actualized in America compared to France. In the article, a woman mentions how "flirting" does not bother her at all because it's a complement. The article implies this sort of flirtation in France objectifies women. But doesn't this happen in America too? Nearly all of my friends, including myself, have been harmlessly cat-called by construction workers on the street or passers by. I sure as hell view this objectification as disrespectful, but you can BET that I view it as a big fat complement. My point? In this respect, we are not that different in terms of our progress on objectifying women. Furthermore, the article also says that in France if you're a "Feminist" you are viewed as "unfeminine."
My eyes bulged out of my sockets when I read this. While the article never fully states that in America Feminism is accepted as "feminine", it implies that America is more progressive in viewing Feminists more favorably. I'm sorry to say I have to disagree. Despite a supposedly successful Feminist Revolution, calling oneself a Feminist in this country still evokes a stereotype of desexualized, ball-busting, and pants-wearing women. I was educated at all women's institutions and there was still a stigma around identifying oneself as a Feminist. More practically, at my graduation ceremony the speaker, Sheryl Sandberg, emphasized the fact that the "glass ceiling" of gender inequality is still there. Women are still paid less than men in this country, and there are still more men whom are tenured professors, business executives, and scientists. I am not one to say that to "break the glass ceiling" women must pursue these fields. Hardly. But if we're going to measure gender equality by pay and the ratio of men to women in certain fields, America is hardly a model for gender equality and Feminism.
What the Strauss-Kahn Arrest emphasizes is that legally and publicly we as a country respect women by prosecuting perpetrators of sexual harassment. But legally prosecuting perpetrators cannot infer that American Feminism is more progressive than French Feminism, at least on the surface.
No comments:
Post a Comment