Conservative Feminism?

[Eileen]

So, I rubbed some folks the wrong way by calling into question Sarah Palin's feminism. Rather than remaining flagrantly biased against the notion that conservatives can be feminists, I would like to know what conservative feminism looks like. If the objective of feminism is to ensure a fairer, safer, more just, more equitable world for women, how would a conservative feminist strive for that?

Also, what is Sarah Palin doing that is pro-woman? And is it (or should it be) enough if she is just breaking this huge barrier and is the first woman this close to the presidency?

[Peguy]

What exactly do you mean by conservative? Are you referring to the Republican Party, or the Political philosophical tradition of men like Edmund Burke?

[ZiL]

Well, whichever category it is that Sarah Palin belongs to, exactly. I'm guessing more Republican party than anything else?

[Eileen]

Let's go with Sarah Palin-conservative--social conservative Republican.

[Peguy]

Originally Posted by ZiL

Well, whichever category it is that Sarah Palin belongs to, exactly. I'm guessing more Republican party than anything else?

Probably. As to the question of conservative feminism; many early early feminists upheld positions that would be considered "conservative" by today's standards. Example: many of the early feminists were staunchly against abortion and upheld the importance of the home and motherhood to the innate nature of women. This was even true for Betty Friedman.

[Lateralus]

Define feminist. Is it someone who follows the stereotypical feminist political view? Or is it someone who is doing something that they believe benefits women?

[booyalab]

Originally Posted by Eileen

If the objective of feminism is to ensure a fairer, safer, more just, more equitable world for women, how would a conservative feminist strive for that?

Rather than remaining flagrantly biased against the notion that you can talk about more justice and equality for one group without sounding like the "some animals are more equal than others" quote from Animal Farm, I'll just say.... gun rights.

[Jack Flak]

A very, very, very good point. The Great Equalizer.

[Orangey]

Originally Posted by Peguy

Probably. As to the question of conservative feminism; many early early feminists upheld positions that would be considered "conservative" by today's standards. Example: many of the early feminists were staunchly against abortion and upheld the importance of the home and motherhood to the innate nature of women. This was even true for Betty Friedman.

Do you mean Betty Friedan? The feminine mystique? I may be mistaken, but wasn't that book devoted entirely to the critique of the idea that women are somehow naturally meant for the home?

[Peguy]

Originally Posted by Orangey

Do you mean Betty Friedan?

Sorry, I always get those names mixed up.

The feminine mystique? I may be mistaken, but wasn't that book devoted entirely to the critique of the idea that women are somehow naturally meant for the home?

Yes but by 1980, she revised her views saying that women find the most fufillment within the nuturing of the home.

She was often at odds with more radical Feminists, stating once

"I’m at odds with the radical feminists because I’m not anti-marriage and anti-family. I always thought it was dangerous to go against the idea of the family. I don’t even like the phrase ‘women’s liberation’ because that idea of being set free from everything doesn’t seem right to me."