Question to the Ladies: How do you feel about feminism?

[RobX 2084]

On the surface it would seem that feminism and sex work are totally incompatible. However. it may not be that simple. I have read that some feminists support sex worker rights, and that some sex workers are admitted feminists. Most guys probably despise feminists and rate feminists as being lower on the social scale than sex workers. However, I would be interested in knowing how the ladies view feminism. Is feminism still relevant today or is it an oudated concept from the 70s? Does the subject of feminism ever come up in conversation with your female friends? Is feminism a bad word to you? Do you consider feminists to be your enemy? Or do you support the feminist cause and wish that feminists would be more accepting of sex workers? What is your take on feminism?

[Megan'sTouch 23875]

I identify as feminist and I love feminists. Feminism is most certainly relevant (don't make me pull out of a bunch of statistics).

 

It is my experience that 3rd wave feminists fully embrace sex work, whereas the older 2nd wave feminists do not.

 

The root of the stigma I face as a sex worker is sexism, so why wouldn't I be feminist?

 

To me, being a feminist is rejecting patriarchy (a system that privileges men) and accepting men and women are equal.

[Nathalie L 112512]

Like Megan, I identify as a feminist as well. To put it somewhat crudely, there are pro-sex/choice feminists (often 3rd wave feminists) and radical/cultural feminists (often 2nd wave feminists).

 

Pro-sex/choice feminists believe that women always exercise a certain amount of agency, even under patriarchy. Radical/cultural feminists, on the other hand, believe that no woman can consent to partaking in pornography, the sex trade, or any form of labor that commodifies her body because it is happening under a patriarchal system that's 'inherently' exploitative.

 

Even under extreme circumstances, I find it difficult to swallow that women never have a 'choice'.

 

I think all labor under capitalism is exploitative; however, I would feel much more exploited working at McDick's then working as an escort. Just saying.

[rickoshadows 937]

Fanatacism of any flavour is destructive and, in the end, tends to undermine the cause the fanatic supports. There are many initiatives and ideas which have been categorized under the banner of feminism which span the full range of the political spectrum. I support the vast majority of these ideas because they are good for everyone, not just women.

 

Among them are extreme ideas which when examined, seek to control other's behavior in a different way than the traditional patriarchal, but no less restrictive and ulimately destructive. Andra Dowrkin and her extremist ideas come to mind here.