Feminists? Any here?

[Thorn]

I don't know what to call it, but I subscribe to "gender-free role thinking" more than I would call myself a classic feminist.

Yeah, that's it. lph, you have a great way of putting things simple and clear.

I've feared that this thread would devolve into name calling. Let's face it, feminist is used as both an f-word and having a humpty-dumpty "it means what I think it means not what you think it means" usage.

It is just as wrong for someone to look down at a stay-at-home mom as it is for someone to say that all women should stay at home. I don't think either of those sentiments is correct. We should, however, whatever our gender may be, be able to choose the role that fits us and to be equally respected in that role.

To bring this down to a bicycling related item, last weekend I rode with a man who worked at the local hospital. As part of small talk, I asked what he did there.....he almost apologetically stated that he was a nurse. Eh? Apologize for being a nurse? Yet almost every male nurse I've met responds similarly. That's sad.

[Crankin]

Irulan and lph you said what I wanted to say much more eloquently. When I studied feminist therapy earlier in the year, I realized that there are even large schisms between what different feminist theories purport.
I think a lot of people devalue men, too. My DH cannot stand the way men are shown to be absolutely stupid in much of the media, in particular in regards to care of the home and children. Is he so unusual?
As far as the cycling goes, well, I didn't like getting to work sweaty, with helmet hair, either. But because I care about cycling, I learned to keep hygiene supplies at work, clean up in the sink, and look totally presentable with the clothes I kept in my closet a work. Riding to work was a priority for me, hence I made the effort. I find that even thinking about the effort is the deal killer for a lot of people, both men and women. In my 9 years at my last job, only one other person ever rode.