"Women's liberation" has little to do with liberty. It aims not to free women to pursue their own interests and inclinations, but rather to reeducate them to attitudes often profoundly contrary to their natures. Read more . . .
This nuanced but significant distinction between feminism and 'Big-F Feminism' seems particularly interesting to me now following Palin's nomination as the Republican VP candidate and the criticism she has since received, particularly from the left. I am FURIOUS that some have questioned her character because she "returned to work only four days after giving birth to a special-needs child"(NPR) or have suggested that she is somehow less of a mother (citing her daughter's pregnancy) for taking on such demanding, high-profile positions.
I have always felt that some, not all, definitions of Feminism are oppressive to women, and the criticism that Palin faces as a mother-running-for-office supports my suspicions. Hoff Sommers' piece articulates what I have only begun to formulate for myself; while I am not certain that I agree with everything in the piece (I need to give it another read), I must say I am amenable to her position.
