I understand what you're saying, AND I APPRECIATE your views, and I completely respect your RIGHT to identify yourself in any way you choose... I am confident that I'll have the same respect in return. :)
I thank you for enlightening me on the fact that there is some kind of link between feminism and children's rights? I did not know that.
I have first hand experience with violence against both women and children, as my ex-stepfather was a violently abusive alcoholic. From ages 7-11 I lived with an abusive man. When I was 15 I put my step-father in prison (http://www.state.mi.us/mdoc/asp/otis2profile.asp?mdocNumber=311289) for almost 12 years (he was paroled (http://www.mipsor.state.mi.us/PSORSearchDetails.aspx?oid=11392104) within the last year) for multiple counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a minor under the age of 13, with several 'codes' (person in authority, used intimidation, lived with the victim, restrained the victim and more I really don't want to get into) attached to those. (He pled down to 3 counts from many more, as it went on for 4 years, from my ages 7-11)
That same man beat both me and my mother, and abused us in other ways.
I belong to several groups which work to stop the exploitation, trafficking, and abuse of children (Including antichildporn.org (http://www.antichildporn.org/) and several other groups, but this already TL;DR).
Anyway...
I qualified my statements and made it clear I wasn't speaking of ALL those women who ID as feminists with this: Women identifying as "feminists" (Instead of just saying 'feminists') have, in cases actually taken certain choices away from women, or at the very least added stigma (or more stigma) to certain choices women might make in their lives.
The 'stigma' was women in the sex industry. The 'taking choices away from women' was 'being a stay at home mom'. I will explain each in full, so you can understand where I am coming from, especially on the second statement.
Going along with the idea that 'perception is reality', there is enough of a perceived link by the general public between feminism and the anti-pornography movement that I'm not comfortable taking on the label of 'feminist' (despite my staunch support of not just 'women's rights' and equality for women, but ALL HUMAN RIGHTS and EQUALITY FOR ALL PEOPLE) because enough people see someone say 'I'm a feminist' and make the assumption that that would mean I hold the same beliefs as these feminists.
Feminists Against Pornography (http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=341x1054)
Blog Of Feminist Activism Against Pornography (http://charliegrrl.blogspot.com/)
Women Against Pornography (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_Against_Pornography)
The Anti-Pornography Movement (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-pornography_movement) still lists it's supporters as, "People involved in the anti-pornography movement include religious groups,[3] feminists,[3] ex-porn stars,[4], psychologists, and individuals who feel that pornography plays a major role in the breakdown of marriages and relationships," and has an entire section labeled as 'Feminist Objections' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-pornography_movement#Feminist_objections).
Worse still is this section (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feminist_views_on_pornography#Anti-pornography_feminism") (Anti-Pornography Feminist Views) of this article entitled, Feminist Views on Pornography (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feminist_views_on_pornography)... The article was 'disputed' AFTER it was edited to INCLUDE the fact that not all feminists are anti-porn.
It is not that I believe all feminists are anti-porn. It is that I have encountered enough OTHER people who believe that that it makes me uncomfortable labeling myself as a 'feminist' everywhere I go, because I know there will be those who ASSUME that I disapprove of the sex industry based on that statement.
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Date: 2010-10-03 01:22 pm (UTC)I thank you for enlightening me on the fact that there is some kind of link between feminism and children's rights? I did not know that.
I have first hand experience with violence against both women and children, as my ex-stepfather was a violently abusive alcoholic. From ages 7-11 I lived with an abusive man. When I was 15 I put my step-father in prison (http://www.state.mi.us/mdoc/asp/otis2profile.asp?mdocNumber=311289) for almost 12 years (he was paroled (http://www.mipsor.state.mi.us/PSORSearchDetails.aspx?oid=11392104) within the last year) for multiple counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a minor under the age of 13, with several 'codes' (person in authority, used intimidation, lived with the victim, restrained the victim and more I really don't want to get into) attached to those. (He pled down to 3 counts from many more, as it went on for 4 years, from my ages 7-11)
That same man beat both me and my mother, and abused us in other ways.
I belong to several groups which work to stop the exploitation, trafficking, and abuse of children (Including antichildporn.org (http://www.antichildporn.org/) and several other groups, but this already TL;DR).
Anyway...
I qualified my statements and made it clear I wasn't speaking of ALL those women who ID as feminists with this: Women identifying as "feminists" (Instead of just saying 'feminists') have, in cases actually taken certain choices away from women, or at the very least added stigma (or more stigma) to certain choices women might make in their lives.
The 'stigma' was women in the sex industry. The 'taking choices away from women' was 'being a stay at home mom'. I will explain each in full, so you can understand where I am coming from, especially on the second statement.
Going along with the idea that 'perception is reality', there is enough of a perceived link by the general public between feminism and the anti-pornography movement that I'm not comfortable taking on the label of 'feminist' (despite my staunch support of not just 'women's rights' and equality for women, but ALL HUMAN RIGHTS and EQUALITY FOR ALL PEOPLE) because enough people see someone say 'I'm a feminist' and make the assumption that that would mean I hold the same beliefs as these feminists.
Feminists Against Pornography (http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=341x1054)
Blog Of Feminist Activism Against Pornography (http://charliegrrl.blogspot.com/)
Women Against Pornography (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_Against_Pornography)
The Anti-Pornography Movement (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-pornography_movement) still lists it's supporters as, "People involved in the anti-pornography movement include religious groups,[3] feminists,[3] ex-porn stars,[4], psychologists, and individuals who feel that pornography plays a major role in the breakdown of marriages and relationships," and has an entire section labeled as 'Feminist Objections' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-pornography_movement#Feminist_objections).
Worse still is this section (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feminist_views_on_pornography#Anti-pornography_feminism") (Anti-Pornography Feminist Views) of this article entitled, Feminist Views on Pornography (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feminist_views_on_pornography)... The article was 'disputed' AFTER it was edited to INCLUDE the fact that not all feminists are anti-porn.
It is not that I believe all feminists are anti-porn. It is that I have encountered enough OTHER people who believe that that it makes me uncomfortable labeling myself as a 'feminist' everywhere I go, because I know there will be those who ASSUME that I disapprove of the sex industry based on that statement.