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| Feminist-A person who believes in the social,political and economic equality of the sexes. |
We Should All Be Feminists seeks to enlighten people on why it would be really good if all of us believed in and fought for the social,political and economic equality of both women and men.This book is great as it shows ways in which the society is unfair to one gender and in some instances gives suggestions on how this can be solved.
Things Chimamanda covered in this book that I particularly loved;
On cooking and cleaning as female roles.
One of the biggest fights I have at home is why I am the one expected to always cook and clean.This I have realized is a loosing battle I am fighting.Why? you ask, because in my very traditional home setting women have always cooked and cleaned,it is our role.I don't mind doing these tasks but what irks me is that if I don't do them no one else can do them.
'What if, in raising children, we focus on ability instead of gender? What if we focus on interest instead of gender? What if the parents, from the beginning, taught both children to cook Indomie? Cooking, by the way, is a useful and practical life skill for a boy to have—I’ve never thought it made much sense to leave such a crucial thing—the ability to nourish oneself—in the hands of others'-We Should All be Feminists.
Parents with young children have it within their power to change this.Teach your boys to cook and clean please 😊😊.The women of the future are counting on you guys..
On socialization of children
Chimamanda is definitely focusing on the future as a solution to all inequalities that exist today.I think she realizes that changing things now is very hard.Both in this book and in Dear Ijeawele,or A Feminist Manifesto in fifteen suggestions she passes messages on raising children,where they are no boy or girl roles and things that a boy or girl can or can't do.
In secondary school, a boy and a girl go out, both of them teenagers with meager pocket money. Yet the boy is expected to pay the bills, always, to prove his masculinity. (And we wonder why boys are more likely to steal money from their parents.) What if both boys and girls were raised not to link masculinity and money? What if their attitude was not “the boy has to pay,” but rather, “whoever has more should pay.” Of course, because of their historical advantage, it is mostly men who will have more today. But if we start raising children differently, then in fifty years, in a hundred years, boys will no longer have the pressure of proving their masculinity by material means-We Should All be Feminists.
On culture and the subordination of women
Some people will say a woman is subordinate to men because it’s our culture. But culture is constantly changing. I have beautiful twin nieces who are fifteen. If they had been born a hundred years ago, they would have been taken away and killed. Because a hundred years ago, Igbo culture considered the birth of twins to be an evil omen. Today that practice is unimaginable to all Igbo people.What is the point of culture? Culture functions ultimately to ensure the preservation and continuity of a people-We Should All be Feminists.
Women are still greatly disadvantaged despite all the hardwork,those before us have put in to ensure we have a sit at the table.It is high time the society reliases that a lot has changed,women aren't subordinates of men and something has to give.Mostly the male ego 😆😅😅.
On men and their perceptions of feminism.
Some men feel threatened by the idea of feminism. This comes, I think, from the insecurity triggered by how boys are brought up, how their sense of self-worth is diminished if they are not “naturally” in charge as men.Other men might respond by saying: Okay, this is interesting, but I don’t think like that. I don’t even think about gender.Maybe not.And that is part of the problem. That many men do not actively think about gender or notice gender-We should all be Feminists.
For equality to be achieved and for problems around gender to be solved both women and men need to work together.I have friends who think anything gender should be spoken of and handled by women and that it is very insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
If you are a man and are in situations where women are treated unfairly because they are female,it your duty to speak up.This way men also support this cause and before we know we will all live in a world where there are no problems with gender.Where boys and girls can be what they really want and pursue their dreams irrespective of their gender.Where women will not be expected to aspire to marriage while still young to fulfill societal expectations.Yet men are expected to make it financially before even thinking of marriage.Where there will be no female specific roles and male specific roles and maybe where the only difference between men and women would be their biological differences and nothing else.
My verdict on this book
I would highly recommend this book because it's a great book,easy to read and TINY so one can easily complete it in one sitting.I also think it's best to read this book together with Dear Ijeawele,or A Feminist Manifesto in fifteen suggestions.These books have messages that build on each other and are great books on feminism.
I want an equal world but still want the men to pay for everything 😅😅, then I will have no problem doing all the house chores.What are your thoughts on feminism? I would love to know.
