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From: oneil@zeus.unomaha.edu (Sharon L. O'Neil)
Newsgroups: soc.feminism
Subject: Re: Sexism vs. Men's Oppression
Message-ID: <15263.283c1f6f@zeus.unomaha.edu>
Date: 24 May 91 02:00:47 GMT
References: 94.17a3@petunia.CalPoly.EDU> <14905.2833d44d@zeus.unomaha.edu> <674858563@lear.cs.duke.edu>
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In article <674858563@lear.cs.duke.edu>, gazit@cs.duke.edu (Hillel Gazit) writes:
> In article <14905.2833d44d@zeus.unomaha.edu> (Sharon L. O'Neil) writes:
> 
>>	Interesting.  I went to hear Gloria Steinem speak a few months ago
>>and something that she was very sincerely concerned about was the fact that
>>the feminist movement has ignored men for so long.  
> 
> 1) Why is she suddenly so concerned about the subject?
> 
> 2) What did she offer to men, aside from her "very sincere concern"?


	Since you ask, Hillel, I'll be glad to answer.  I believe that
	she is "suddenly so concerned about the subject" because -- and
	I can't provide quotes here or even paraphrases because the talk
	was quite some time ago -- because in essence, men are victims of
	sexism just as women are.  If women are supposed to be weak, then
	men are supposed to be strong and this is not necessarily a fair
	demand.  Sexism denies men the pleasure and enjoyment of being 
	nurturing, of caring for their children and being involved in 
	the household.  In essence, from what I understood of her talk,
	sexism stereotypes men just as it stereotypes women.

	What did she offer besides her "very sincere concern" -- I'm having
	to stretch way back into my memory because I don't want to represent
	her out of context -- I believe that the agenda that she was calling
	for that night was essentially focused upon women, but with the 
	belief that if we truly did establish an egalitarian society, it 
	would be as beneficial for men as it would be for women.  I believe
	that she was focusing mostly upon encouraging nurturance and other
	such qualities in men.  She concentrated a lot upon the home
	environment.  Of course she talked a lot about pro-choice.  To be
	honest, this was primarily a "cheer-leading" event.  She didn't
	discuss anything too terribly new, as we are out in the sticks.  But
	I believe if you read Ms., you would find those views pretty much
	reflected in her talk.

	I just think it is unfair to characterize Gloria Steinem as a total
	man-basher.  I didn't get that impression /at all/.  

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 Sharon L. O'Neil | Internet: oneil@zeus.unomaha.edu | Bitnet: oneil@unoma1


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