is feminism necessary?
10 Reasons We Still Need Feminism
Morris M. March 16, 2013
Check out our new companion site: http://knowledgenuts.com
In our online culture, there are certain words guaranteed to get a reaction. ‘Feminism’ is one of these words. Maybe it’s because modern feminism is so weirdly complex and confusing. Maybe some people just really hate Y chromosomes. Whatever the reason, angry message board debates tend to obscure the real issue: equality. The radical notion we’re more or less the same and no-one deserves to get any crap just for having ovaries. Yet governments across the world seem to have missed the memo. How else do you explain horrifying stuff like:
10
FGM In its ‘purest’ form, FGM is something you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. Put simply, it involves removing bits of the genitals and stitching them back together in a way that makes just peeing a nightmare and sex impossible. It’s the equivalent of someone taking a machete to your groin and about just as helpful. Women who undergo the procedure are put at massive risk of infection and infertility, not to mention the extreme pain that comes from having any surgery minus anesthetic. So why do people do it?
Nope, not religion. Neither the Torah nor the Koran mentions it, despite FGM being mainly associated with Ethiopian minority Judaism and Sunni Muslims. The answer often lies in ancient attitudes to female sexuality. In some parts of the world, a high value is placed on a bride’s virginity. FGM destroys the victim’s ability to derive pleasure from sex while also making it highly-painful, ensuring that virginity remains intact. And did I mention this happens to girls as young as five months? That’s right: in 2013 there are still some people who honestly can’t see what’s wrong with mutilating a baby.
9
Rape
The statistics on rape are so depressing just reading about them will destroy a little part of your soul. According to this UK report, only one percent of rapes results in conviction.
Morris M. March 16, 2013
Check out our new companion site: http://knowledgenuts.com
In our online culture, there are certain words guaranteed to get a reaction. ‘Feminism’ is one of these words. Maybe it’s because modern feminism is so weirdly complex and confusing. Maybe some people just really hate Y chromosomes. Whatever the reason, angry message board debates tend to obscure the real issue: equality. The radical notion we’re more or less the same and no-one deserves to get any crap just for having ovaries. Yet governments across the world seem to have missed the memo. How else do you explain horrifying stuff like:
10
FGM In its ‘purest’ form, FGM is something you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. Put simply, it involves removing bits of the genitals and stitching them back together in a way that makes just peeing a nightmare and sex impossible. It’s the equivalent of someone taking a machete to your groin and about just as helpful. Women who undergo the procedure are put at massive risk of infection and infertility, not to mention the extreme pain that comes from having any surgery minus anesthetic. So why do people do it?
Nope, not religion. Neither the Torah nor the Koran mentions it, despite FGM being mainly associated with Ethiopian minority Judaism and Sunni Muslims. The answer often lies in ancient attitudes to female sexuality. In some parts of the world, a high value is placed on a bride’s virginity. FGM destroys the victim’s ability to derive pleasure from sex while also making it highly-painful, ensuring that virginity remains intact. And did I mention this happens to girls as young as five months? That’s right: in 2013 there are still some people who honestly can’t see what’s wrong with mutilating a baby.
9
Rape
The statistics on rape are so depressing just reading about them will destroy a little part of your soul. According to this UK report, only one percent of rapes results in conviction.