Writing on women

Feministing:

A "modest" appropriation of feminism

Modesty maven Wendy Shalit is back with a new book, Girls Gone Mild, and (like any book that says girls are too slutty) it's getting some interesting press.

I've written about this modesty nonsense before, so if want to know how I really feel about it read this article I penned for The Guardian.

But I do have to say that I'm massively annoyed at how Shalit is appropriating feminist language and action to promote a very anti-feminist agenda.

Luckily, Ms. Shalit argues, a rebellion is under way. In "Girls Gone Mild," she claims that more and more young women today, put off by our hypersexualized culture, are reverting to an earlier idea of femininity. They wear modest clothing and even act with unbrazen kindness. They don't mind abstinence programs at school, and they prefer a version of feminism based on self-respect rather than sex-performance parity.

Interesting how "modest clothing" and adhering to inaccurate and dangerous abstinence-only ed programs are conflated with "self-respect."

The article even mentions the Abercrombie girlcott as an example of this "return to modesty." With an unsourced quote from one of the girls talking about how icky the National Organization for Women is, of course--to appropriately distance them from "mainstream" feminists. (Note: I actually find this quote very sketchy and am looking into where it came from.*)

Ms. Shalit has little patience for the thinking of the older generation of mainstream feminists. They are, she says, "so committed to the idea of casual sex as liberation that they can't appreciate or even quite understand these younger feminists." To them, modesty is a step back, even a betrayal of the liberationist spirit. "They don't understand," Ms. Shalit says, "that pursuing crudeness is the problem, not the solution."

I love when people talk on behalf of "younger feminists" to promote their own agenda. So classy. Well as someone who actually, you know, IS a younger feminist (and works and speaks with younger feminists), I can tell you this: We don't think that women's moral compass is located in between our legs and that what we do sexually (or how we dress, as Shalit seems to be so concerned with) has anything to do with how good of a person we are.

So modesty gals, if you want to push for a new generation of chaste, obedient girls who bake apple pies (seriously that's in there), go for it. But don't try to use feminism to do it.

*UPDATE: I called the folks at Girls as Grantmakers, who organized the girlcott, and Executive Director Heather Arnet (who was present when Shalit interviewed all the girls) is contesting the validity of the quote. How nice that Shalit sees fit to co-opt the activism of young women.

Feministing:

Money Magazine Senior Editor's advice to women: Marry rich

Well this is just lovely. What's the best advice that Marlys Harris, Senior Editor of Money Magazine, has for women? "Snag" yourself a "Richie Rich."

True, it's not politically correct to go hunting for a marital meal ticket (or for that matter, to write about it). But just for a moment imagine the life that could be yours if you did.

Forget the fabulous baubles, designer clothing, cutting-edge electronics and palatial mansions that your golden goose - uh, spouse - might heap upon you.

Consider the more pragmatic bonuses of the good life. No more scrimping and scraping to make your annual Roth IRA contribution. No more working until you drop to ensure a comfortable retirement. And no more worries about where your children will get into college (or how to pay for it).

That's of course until you're served with divorce papers and find yourself with no job, no work history and...well, generally just fucked.

But why encourage women to seek out higher education or give them advice on finding high-paying jobs when you can just recommend marrying a billionaire? But Harris does say you should get a degree and work on your smarts--just not for silly things like success or personal fulfillment.

To worm your way into a billionaire's business, and eventually his heart,
you need the right career. An M.B.A. will give you the most flexibility.

...Ultrarich men once gravitated toward women with the showiest plumage - or plastic surgery. That has changed, says Richard
Conniff, author of The Natural History of the Rich: A Field Guide.

"Arm candy is now seen as déclassé," he notes. These days, the more prestigious your credentials and the brainier you are, the better.

Amazing how an article about money can be so devoid of any class.