Feminism

Stuff reported:

She might be the new minister for women but don’t call Louise Upston a feminist.

The Taupo MP is under fire for singing the praises of beauty pageants, which she says give contestants confidence.

Upston became a fan of pageants at a Miss Tokoroa contest after being impressed by the talent and self-possession of the contestants.

“The confidence that these girls had at the end of it – you literally had to see it to believe it,” Upston said.

“What are the things that make a difference to young girls, and setting their sights high? It’s about confidence, it’s about having belief in their ability.

“And for those 20 young girls I saw, if it was participating in that programme that gave them that, then absolutely.”

If people want to take part in beauty contests, then that’s up to them – likewise if people want to watch them.

Upston said she did not want to be seen as having a feminist agenda in future roles.

“I’ve never called myself a feminist. I’m not interested in being a flag-waver,” she said.

“I’m not interested in having colleagues who get there because they’re a woman, and they’re the token one. That diminishes our contribution, and I don’t ever want anyone to look at me and say ‘she’s there because she’s a female’.”

Upston was a fan of old-fashioned chivalry, such as men opening doors for women, she said. “I’m quite comfortable with it, and I think that’s probably why a real feminist wouldn’t call me a feminist.”

It depends on what you define as feminism.

Generally a feminist is defined as someone who supports the rights or equality of women. Using that definition I regard myself as a feminist.

Within that overall belief in equality, there will be a huge variety of views on individual issues. Some feminists probably regard anyone who doesn’t agree with them on every issue as not a true feminist, but I don’t accept that. I believe if you support women having equal rights, you are a feminist.

UPDATE: A good piece from Femonomics:

I am not a capitalist because I think the interests of business should come before the interests of women.  Far from it. I have seen big government oppress women, and business and free markets help them.  I believe systematic oppression is every bit as entrenched in government forces as it is in market ones, and that both can be tools to either rectify or reinforce the hierarchies of the past.  I believe there is a role for government in correcting inequalities, but I also believe that government helped to put them there in the first place, both in the US and the world over.  In places where governments continue to oppress, I have seen the remarkable effect of freedom, both market and personal, in improving the quality of life for people in need.

Well said.