N E W !

FA S H I O N T R AV E L P E O P L E I D E A S B E A U T Y

ISSUE 33 9 JUNE 2010 W W W. ST YLIST.CO.UK

FEmINISt?
You believe and in freedom fr equality... e so o why wont you yo use the F-word?

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FEmINISt?
It brought us many of the human rights we take for granted today and most women still agree with its principles. Without it our lives would be entirely different. So why did feminism become such a dirty word?
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oud think wed be more grateful. Feminism has brought us the vote, access to contraception, and equality in education, relationships and the workplace. And how do we repay it? By forgetting it, ignoring it, or even insisting that theres no need for it anymore. Today, many women deny feminism is anything to do with them. But when pressed confess they agree with feminist ideology. So whats the problem? In 2010, the main impression of feminists seems to be of the angry men-hating, bra-burning women of the Seventies. But you can actually trace the history of the movement back centuries: Mary Wollenstonecraft in the late 18th century published A Vindication Of The Rights Of Women in which she argued that women are not naturally inferior to men (a controversial concept at the time). A hundred years on, in the late 19th and early 2oth century, so-called first wave feminists were campaigning for more rights in marriage and, in particular, political representation. So if you voted in May, youve got something to thank them for.

T H E GOOD FIG H T
But its the second wave that arguably had the most impact on women today. Throughout the Sixties and Seventies women campaigned for equality, with figureheads like Betty Friedan (who published The Feminine Mystique in 1963 and is often credited with igniting the feminist movement of the time), Germaine Greer, Gloria Steinem and Kate Millett. Professor Carol Dyhouse, author of Glamour: Women, History, Feminism, explains, The revolt was

against the happy housewife image of the Fifties. There was huge inequality. Women couldnt get a mortgage individually, they werent allowed to wear trousers in restaurants, jobs for men and women were advertised separately. You passed from your fathers authority to your husbands. That second wave of feminism changed the world for women, at least in most prosperous nations. In the UK, contraception became free in 1974. Feminism created a liberated women, meaning they could delay motherhood in favour of a career and have an active sex life without fear of getting pregnant (this was before Aids became a known threat). In 1975, the Sex Discrimination Act made it illegal to discriminate against women in employment, advertising or education; the Employment Protection Act introduced statutory maternity provision and made it illegal to sack a woman because she was pregnant, and the Equal Pay Act came into effect. A year later, the Equal Opportunities Commission started and the Domestic Violence Act enabled women to get a court order against a violent partner. Think about what your life would be like now if all of those things hadnt happened. Would you have the same qualifications, the same job? Would you have had to give up work when you had children, or

put up with physical abuse at home? Would we even be able to print a magazine with content like this? Theres been a huge shift in cultural attitudes. Previously, nice girls didnt have sex, werent ambitious, and just wanted to be a good wife. Our horizons are wider, and thats thanks to feminism. So why do so many passionately and publicly reject feminism? Would you want a life without these things? If the answer is no, its pretty likely youre part of a generation of secret feminists. Professor Dyhouse points out that after the success of getting equality legislation passed, feminism lost some of its focus. It became very theoretical, she says, and sometimes boring, even if you were interested in the subject. And then there was the mainstream backlash against the stereotype of all feminists as man-hating, humourless hags. Of course it wasnt true, says Kira Cochrane, womens editor of The Guardian, but the fact that it was heavily used did do damage. If youre a young woman hearing that a movement like feminism requires you to dress a certain way and think a certain way, it is going to be off-putting. Professor June Hannam, author of the book Feminism, agrees, saying, New generations believe the way feminism was characterised all that stuff about not liking make-up and so on. Hannam also points out that the Eighties saw the rise of

Thatcherite individualism. Whereas once campaigning was in vogue, now it was all about looking after number one. Feminism went out of style.

ST I L L R E LEVA NT
But that doesnt mean we dont still need it. The UK has the lowest rape conviction rate in Europe at 6.5% and 30 years after it was enshrined in law, women still dont earn the same as men for doing the same job. Our culture is increasingly sexist, says Cochrane. All sorts of things are a real throwback look at Nuts and Zoo. Were meant to laugh it off, think its ironic. But how is it ironic? Its just the same thing. Its likely that you do actually agree with fundamental feminist principles fighting for women to live in an equal and fair society but the time has come to publicly acknowledge it, and to recognise feminism is still relevant and not at all scary. Cochrane, Hannam and Dyhouse all agree that feminism is finding its feet again. 2010 is a really interesting year, says Cochrane. There are major books on the subject coming out including Reclaiming The F Word and Click: Young Women On The Moments That Made Them Feminists and theres more campaigning going on, for example Marchs Million Women Rise demonstration against male violence. When you compare womens situation today to that of just a few decades ago, its clear weve come on in leaps and bounds. But while there continues to be pay inequality, a high rate of violence against women and the sexualisation of women in the media, there will always be a need for feminism.

P H OTO G RA P H Y G E T T Y I M AG E S

IS IT TIME WE RECLAIMED THE FEMINIST CONVICTION OF OUR PREDECESSORS?

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I AM A FEmINIST BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN WOMENS RIGHTS

L A DY gAgA , m AY 2 0 1 0
Still confused about what it means to be a feminist in 2010? We asked four young feminists to battle it out
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ady Gaga: shes the 24-year-old pop icon who burst on to the music scene with a totally unique sound while simultaneously challenging stereotypes and pushing the boundaries in fashion, music and performance. This much you know. But did you know that in May 2010 she also announced that shes a feminist, saying, I believe in womens rights, and protecting who we are, to the core. The truth is for many, Lady Gaga jars with the image of a feminist. They see feminism as a concept thats become outdated in modern society. In fact, it was a lively (read: heated) debate in the Stylist office over an essentially innocuous question Is Katie Price a feminist? which made us admit that there is little unity about what it means to be a feminist today. And it seems society in general is having a hard time summing it up, too. Recently, Labour MP Harriet Harman, championing her view of feminist ideals, declared war on lap dancing clubs, saying theyre part of a larger industry of exploitation of women. However, her comments caused some ex-lap dancers and social commentators to argue that on the contrary, these clubs are actually a way for women to exploit mens urges for their own financial benefit. And whilst Sex And The Citys Samantha Jones has been applauded by some as the ultimate feminist icon for promoting sexual liberation for women, others see her as a character who gratifies mens fantasies and slows down the progress of feminism. In addition, when Samantha Cameron gave up her job to support her husband, debate struck up on whether she was turning her back on feminism. What it means to be a feminist today is confusing. As we find our way in the 21st century and a whole number of political, social and economic issues weave into our lives, does the definition need rewriting? Its tricky. Rather than battle it out with our peers we thought it was time to get the experts in. So we invited four modern, young feminists (see box, right), who are all working hard to change the face of modern feminism, to debate a series of relevant questions which affect women like us. From being financially independent to the representation of women in the media, we wanted to uncover what they think makes a feminist 130 years after the phrase was first coined. Read on, we think youll find their answers pretty surprising.

INTRODUCING THE NEW FEMINISTS

FI N N MACK AY
Founder of The London Feminist Network a women-only networking and campaigning organisation formed to unite groups and individuals in action (ldnfeministnetwork.ik.com).

A N N A VA N H E E SW I J K
Campaigns Coordinator OBJECT a human rights organisation which challenges the sexual objectification of women in the media and popular culture (object.org.uk).

CAT H R E DFE R N
Founder of the F-Word feminist website an online magazine dedicated to talking about and sharing ideas on contemporary UK feminism (thefword.org.uk).

SA B R I N A Q U R E S H I
One of the main organisers behind the Million Women Rise march a diverse group of women who are united by outrage at male violence against women (millionwomenrise.com). rules. We shouldnt be turning on other women and saying their behaviour is anti-feminist. Society would rather have us bitching and competing amongst ourselves instead of talking about misogyny. Lets look at the male boss who feels so weak he has to hire some pretty young thing that flatters him lets talk about the anti-feminism of that rather than blaming women for doing what they can to get on.

A S A S U C C E S S F U L WO R K I NG M OT H E R W H O S U P P O RT S HERSELF AND SPEAKS H E R M I N D, S O M E P E O P L E S U G G E S T T H AT K AT I E P R I C E I S A F E M I N I S T I C O N. D I S CU S S .

a right to a common humanity then you are a feminist its that simple. Anna: The idea that you cant be a feminist if you are a stay-at-home mum is ludicrous. Anybody who wants justice between women and men is a feminist, it doesnt matter what your job is. Cath: I think its sad how much emphasis we place on money in our society that a woman who is working hard looking after her children would feel she cant call herself a feminist because she is not earning money. Finn: Anyone can be a feminist if they make the choice; feminism is a political movement, you are not excluded from it because youve chosen to raise your children.

Cath: For my book I asked 1,000 feminists who most inspires them and no one named Katie Price! They mentioned activists, their mothers, bloggers real women, trying to change things. Finn: Shes not a politician, a campaigner or an activist. Shes a glamour model, shes very business savvy, shes made a lot of money, but that doesnt make you a feminist icon. Anna: She is held up as an icon, and while Ive got nothing against her

T H E R E S A R E A L T R E N D I N S O M E WO M E N S M E D I A TO C R I T I C I S E WO M E N S B O DY S H A P E O R A P P E A R A NC E TO S E L L I S S U E S . W H AT E F F E C T D O E S T H I S H AV E O N F E M I N I S M ?

KATIE PRICE IS BUSINESS SAVVY, SHES MADE A LOT OF MONEY BUT THAT DOESNT MAKE YOU A FEMINIST ICON
personally I think its worrying it sends out the message that the only way you can succeed is if you buy into this sex object culture. Sabrina: To me a feminist icon is someone who is trying to make the world a better place. The thing about Katie is that women do relate to her, but although she may have success, she has got it through what I would consider a form of violence against women, through exploiting her body.

I S I T AC C E P TA B L E TO U S E YO U R S E XUA L I T Y TO G ET A H E A D AT WO R K? I S F L I RT I NG A U S E F U L TO O L TO G I V E YO U A L E G U P T H E C A R E E R L A D D E R O R I S U S I NG YO U R S E XUA L I T Y A N T I- F E M I N I S T ?

Sabrina: I think we sometimes suffer from an internalised sexism, we keep going back to the things that oppress us looking to the things that criticise our bodies. Cath: It is very difficult because to ignore these self-hating messages takes a lot of inner strength, this focus on body size is everywhere, and its not just a matter of closing the magazines or newspaper. Which is why a lot of feminists work on questioning it, its the wallpaper of our lives and its vital to question the messages we get. Anna: Its not only really damaging but its really trivialised, so when you say you are upset by the focus on the body beautiful you are seen as stupid for being affected by it. Finn: I think the focus on the

Sabrina: What is unacceptable to me is that this is what is expected from women in order for them to get on. Anna: I agree, there are so many barriers for women who are trying to succeed to overcome, such as the unequal pay gap and sexist attitudes. These are the things that are anti-feminist, not the behaviour of women who are trying to get by in this sexist set-up. The fact they have to do it is what is unfair. Finn: Dont blame women for playing the game when they never wrote the

TO B E A F E M I N I S T D O YO U H AV E TO B E F I NA NC I A L LY I N D E P E N D E N T, O R I S I T O K TO R E LY O N YO U R H U S BA N D FO R F I NA NC I A L S U P P O RT A N D B E A S TAY-AT- H O M E M U M ?

Sabrina: If you believe in fairness and

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g distraction, ge body is a huge you are being ng told that if you look a certain way your life will be perfect which is ould stick totally false. We should t ckle real together and try to ta tackle f looking oppression instead o of inwards and hating ourselves.

a Whatever we wea wear, wherever we go, yes y means yes and no means no. No wo o women should ever be bla l blamed for the mistreatment mistreatme they encounter. invites Finn: No one invites objectification. We hav have fought and died for the right to be able to wea wear what we want and wom women should be able to wear wea what they want to feel good about themselves.
ARE LAPDA NC I N NG C LU B S A N I N S U LT TO F E M I N I S M OR ARE THESE WO M E N, W H O U S E T H E I R B O DY TO G ET M O N E Y F R O M M E N, AC T UA L LY C H A M P I O N I NG F E M I N I S T VA LU E S ?

WAGS HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED AS THE ULTIMATE ANTIFEMINISTS. DISCUSS

D O YO OU CONSIDER THE SAMANTHA JONES C H A R AC T E R I N SEX AND THE CITY A FEMINIST? AS A WO M A N W H O C H A M P I O N E D S E XUA L L I B E R AT I O N, D O YO U T H I N K H E R F I C T I O NA L B E H AV I O U R H E L P E D O R HINDERED FEMINISM?

Cath: I think this is more about the medias representation of these women. They often have jobs but the only reason they are famous is because they are married to a man. These women cant win, theyre given attention but theyre denigrated at the same time WAG is not a complimentary term. Anna: I find it astonishing that in the 21st century women are still being referred to as wives and girlfriends. Its such a common term. And these are the aspirations that are being held out to young women to the extent that shops are selling Future WAG T-shirts for three-year-old girls. That is what is anti-feminist, not the women themselves. Sabrina: A lot of women are defined by who they are married to, its part of a long history of not identifying women as individuals. The way the media portrays them is regressive. The term is a put-down. The term is anti-feminist, not the women.

of the naked body, its about the eroticisation of the availability of women, of womens passivity, which is so negative. They are almost always photographed in submissive, often porn-like poses. Sabrina: These sexualised images are also not balanced with other images of women so I do think they are damaging. And they are overwhelmingly the way women are portrayed in the media. Cath: Its all about how sex sells, but its always womens bodies and thats the problem, womens bodies are associated with sex and that is totally unequal.

DOES KATIE PRICES BUSINESS SUCCESS EQUAL BEING A FEMINIST?

Finn: If her character r helped ual double to challenge the sexual en who standard that says men have a lot of sex are studs but women are loose then thats a good thing. But the fact that we know her character as the promiscuous one shows that things are not equal, it is not the norm.

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D O YO U T H I N K T H AT T H E R I S E O F T H E C O U G A R WO M A N I S A G O O D T H I NG FO R T H E F E M I N I S T M OV E M E N T ?

Anna: These clubs are overwhelmingly owned by men and

Finn: No. The term is so animalistic, its predatory I caught him, so therefore I must be a successful, desired woman. Cath: Its good if people are now less

IN A RECENT SURVEY, 25% OF YOUNG WOMEN SAID THAT L AP DANCING WAS THEIR IDEAL JOB. ITS BEEN NORMALISED AND IS ON EVERY HIGH STREET
Anna: I think Samantha Jones broke some taboos in terms of having a woman who would openly talk about sex, who would take the lead in her sexual relationships but its a complex issue, in our culture women are under pressure to always be up for sex, which is very different to feeling empowered and wanting to have sex. Cath: Its good for women that we show a diversity of different sex lives on TV. Its OK to want to have a lot of sex, as long as its safe. If that character is part of a broader representation, then thats helpful. Sabrina: Its every womans right to be sexually liberated. But sadly I dont think that in our everyday lives women who behave like Samantha are as accepted as they are on TV, I dont know how much of an impact it has had. they are making a lot of money by exploiting women. Women who have worked in these clubs have been absolutely central to our campaign in speaking out against the lies that it is empowering and that it somehow champions women. Sabrina: Its also a lie that women make a lot of money from lap dancing, the reality is that you often have to pay to dance at a club and many women end up in debt, they are sexually harassed and treated badly. Finn: In a recent survey, 25% of young women said that lap dancing was their ideal job. Its been normalised, you have clubs on every high street, you can do it to keep fit, theres a huge PR campaign by the sex industry to show it empowers women, but it doesnt. Cath: A lot of women do it simply because they need a job, it has nothing to do with empowerment and thats more the case now because youve got a huge gap between rich and poor. It also represents a female sexuality that is about exhibitionism its all about being desired rather than actively desiring your other half. Finn: Its so old fashioned, like something out of a Jane Austen novel e! Again to be defined by your marriage! Im not about to blame these women e, the for doing what they have done, st. individuals are not anti-feminist. judgmental about older women having sexual desires, being seen tha is a positive thing. as sexual that Sabrina Sabrina: That older women are often invisible says a lot abou about how society treats older people. The word is unhe unhelpful but talking about o older women is good.
PHOTOGRAPHY JOHNWRIGHT PHOTO COM M ARK HARRIS ON REX FEAT URES

DOES THE S E XUA L I S AT I O N O F WO M E N IN THE MEDIA DA M AG E WO M E N A N D U LT I M AT E LY P R E V E N T E Q UA L I T Y ?

S H O U L D WO M E N B E F R E E TO E X P E R I M E N T W I T H FA S H I O N O R D O E S D R E S S I NG

P R OVO C AT I V E LY I N V I T E O B J E C T I F I C AT I O N BY M E N M A K I NG I T A N T I- F E M I N I S T ?

Anna: It is very damaging. The fact we are bombarded with images of women being portrayed as sexual objects sends out the message that its acceptable to view women just as a sum of body parts not in our total complexity as intelligent human beings. It serves to dehumanise women and legitimises this idea that women are only of worth for what they look like. Finn: This isnt about us being prudish or being afraid

Anna: Women like Demi Moore are celebrated for being with younger men, its as though we make older women only of interest when they fit into a stereotype of a sexy cougar. Im not sure how good it is. As Stylist left the d debate we were sure o of two things: issues th that provoke so much disc discussion are obviously high highly relevant, and fem feminism is not about judg judgment its about cho choice. And thats som something we should all believe be in.

SAMANTHA CAMERON: A MODERN FEMINIST OR POLITICAL WAG?

Anna: There is a feminist chant

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