feministing

I recently disovered this website. This is after I just finished reading the book Female Chauvinist Pigs by Ariel Levy. I've been thinking about feminism a lot the past week or so. What does it mean? How is it relevant? There's no doubt in my mind that it is still relevant today...but it is different than in past generations. Because, like anything it evolves along with society and culture. In her book, Levy talks about the "raunch culture" that many women have embraced and claim as liberating for women. In other words "girls say they're tired of acting "hot" just to get a man, and scoff at the notion, relentlessly pushed in magazines, movies, music and on MTV, that acting raunchy -- stripping or imitating porn stars in their dress or behavior -- is a feminist act that empowers women." (see http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05285/586648.stm). I think this raises a lot of questions...and probably a few eyebrows, and ultimately is very problematic. I personally wonder how this could be liberating for women. Being in control of one's own sexuality is crucial. But how does/should one live this out? To say that acting raunchy is an act of empowerment for women just doesn't sit right with me. I get the impression that those who espouse raunch culture as liberating for women do so at the exclusion of other expressions of sexuality and empowerment for women, which is not cool. When I think of feminism I think of the freedom to be what you wish, what is fulfilling for you personally (this should go for both men & women). If a woman chooses to stay at home and raise a family that is her choice. If a woman wants to dedicate her life to a career that is her choice. The key word here is CHOICE. True liberation comes when one can make a decision about how to live his or her own life without societal or cultural constraints. While this definition raises a whole slew of others questions I think it is a necessary starting point...and the thinking continues...