Feminine Feminist

This article got me to thinking (again) about the guilt I feel for being feminine.
I know the purpose of this article is not to make me think I’m a bad person for being feminine, but it did get me to thinking about the Olympics. Mao Asada was possibly a better skater than Kim Yu-Na when it came to skating, at least the technical side of it. However, Asada’s performance, and the small amount of men’s figure skating that I watched. It was pretty good. Some of the things they did was immensely difficult.
Kim Yu-Na made me sob. Tear came into my eyes as I watched. By the time she stopped, I was near hysterical, sitting in my living room crying and clapping.
(If you want to get directly to the point, skip down to the last two paragraphs.)
I am feminine. I played with my Barbies and dollies. I had an easybake oven. I loved dressup. Loved? I still love it and I’m 15. Shopping is magical. I use to pretend I was a magical fairy princess. I read sappy novels. I’m good at math and science. I could be a doctor. But I won’t. I will either be a future director of artsy sentimental films, work with children with disabilities or…


a stay at home mom. Yes I’ve considered that option and decided, I actually wouldn’t mind it. Though I would probably enjoy my other two options a little bit more.
I’m a vegetarian slowly trying to go vegan. I cried in almost every single movie I have ever watched. I have a wicked strong maternal side.
I could go on and on like this. But you’d get bored. And probably hate me.
I am also a feminist. In my quiet, gentle way, I frequently debate with people on issues from welfare to abortion. I hate Edward Cullen (and I do not believe he’s “gentlemanly” he’s a very chauvinistic person who breaks people’s cars and stalks them.) I never back down on what I believe is right, but I never force my opinion on other people.
And I very much dislike being feminine. I am conventionally pretty. And I feel immensely guilty. How can I be feminist and be everything the patriarchy wants.
What I’m getting at is an intelligent conversation on feminine qualities. “Feminine” implies female. How come? Are feminine qualities lesser than masculine ones? Why are feminine men and masculine women treated as freaks? Why are some ethnicities considered more feminine than others? Do we need feminine-masculine relationships, or can feminine-feminine and masculine-masculine work? Is it necessary as a culture to have both these qualities?
I would really like to hear your opinions.
(Also, have you noticed there’s a category for “Masculine” but not “Feminine?” Do you think it’s more accepted for women in the feminist community to be more masculine?)

Disclaimer: This post was written by a Feministing Community user and does not necessarily reflect the views of any Feministing columnist, editor, or executive director.

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