This is yet another Sex-Radical feminist manifesto.
-otherwise known as pro-sex feminism, but either way the cause I am fighting for is the need for women to achieve sexual equality to that of men and wider reproductive rights than society grants or dubs acceptable.
Radical feminists may argue the "sex-radicals" have claimed their title and derided it by adding the shunned s-word in front of it. It is a new meaning, it is ultimately different, a different label for people (both men and women) who have beliefs very different from radical feminism.
This is a fight for finding the positivity in sex, having sexual choice. Eliminating taboo and stigma, but not simply a focus on sex; this contributes to our gender, what it means to be female.
This is to break the virgin-whore dichotomy, to remove scorn and disgust for women who choose protection for themselves and be educated about sex, to be able to make decisions about their own bodies according to what they want. Not the government.
This is an attempt to remove euphemised and derogatory definitions for sex, eradicate stigma linked to sexually transmitted diseases and judgement based on behavior of women.
"...There have been two strains of feminist thought on the subject. One tendency has criticized the restrictions on women's sexual behavior and denounced the high costs imposed on women for being sexually active. This tradition of feminist sexual thought has called for a sexual liberation that would work for women as well as for men, The second tendency has considered sexual liberalization to be inherently a mere extension of male privilege. This tradition resonates with conservative, anti-sexual discourse."
(Rubin, 1984)
However, would violence against women be reduced due to the limitation of sexual choice for women? Sexual liberation is a personal and individualistic choice, not necessarily granted by society. Hence it does not validate men to take advantage of all or any woman as a result of such a shift.
Rape is defined by the Washington State Criminal Code as engaging in sexual intercourse with another person under any of the following circumstances:
· 1st degree: forcible compulsion including the use, or threatened use of a weapon, or what appears to be a weapon; or kidnapping the victim, or inflicting serious physical injury; or feloniously entering into a building or vehicle where the victim is located;
· 2nd degree: forcible compulsion (a) when the victim is incapable of giving consent because he or she is physically helpless or mentally incapacitated for any reason, including being under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs (e.g. Rohypnol and Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate (GHB)), (b) the victim is developmentally disabled and the perpetrator is a person who is not married to the victim and who has supervisory authority over the victim, (c) the perpetrator is a health care provider, the victim is a client or patient, and the sexual intercourse occurs during a treatment session, (d) the victim is a resident of a facility for the mentally disordered or chemically dependent persons and the perpetrator is not married to the victim and has supervisory authority over the victim, or (e) the victim is a frail elder or vulnerable adult and the perpetrator is a person who is not married to the victim and who has signifacant relationshop to the victim.
· 3rd degree: the victim does not consent to sexual intercourse with the perpetrator and such lack of consent is expressed by the victim's words or conduct.
The root of female identity oppression does not necessarily stem from the overriding ideas of "chauvinist" men. Feminism has transcended the argument of using men as comparison and scapegoats of sexism. To say men are phallocentric and power-hungry is as shortsighted as saying all feminists are bitchy men-bashers. It does no one justice. Female sexuality is not simply a vice for power or argument. Sex-radical feminism does not exist for the sake of overthrowing men and subverting the roles women may conventionally choose to follow. The point I am making is, sexuality is not dictated, will not be dictated by men or mainstream attitudes. Everyone (women in particular) should have reproductive rights, to make choices to giving and preventing conception of life according to individualistic needs.
To be continued…©jennifer chan 2006
Happy International Women's Rights Day.