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Original poster

Academic attainment and feminism?

782 replies

suwoo · 08/05/2011 22:32

I have wanted to start this thread all day but have been scared that it is stupid or I will be flamed. I want to ask if people feel there is a correlation between academic attainment and feminist principles. Is that a valid question?
I had no idea that I was a feminist. I knew I had these thoughts and principles but didn't know what they were or the significance of them until we did feminist literary theory this semester- it was like an epiphany and my whole world made sense

Had I not gone to uni at the grand old age of 35, maybe I would never had these revelations.

What do you think? Those of you that identify as a feminist, what level of education do you have?

OP posts:
dittany · 08/05/2011 23:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LRDTheFeministDragon · 08/05/2011 23:42

Hmm, clearly my education hasn't taught me to read the bloody question! Grin Blush

Sorry, should have said: I do identify as a feminist (trying to do so a bit more vocally atm), and I have a Masters degree and am writing up my PhD.

It's good to hear how your work is going suwoo, I remember you posting about it before. Smile

Tolalola · 08/05/2011 23:16

I think, retrospectively, I've probably always been a feminist in the sense that I never had any time for anyone telling me I couldn't/shouldn't do something because it was a 'boy' thing or 'unladylike'.

I suppose the connection to academia would be that, in my view, being a feminist from a young age is often a sign of an independent thinker. A girl who doesn't just unquestioningly accept the societal impositions of gender based play, careers, clothes, marketing etc. but instead reasons things out for herself. That's also a useful personality trait to have in education and academia.

I have a doctorate in science.

LRDTheFeministDragon · 08/05/2011 23:03

I think academia in the UK is fairly misogynistic, so if you do a degree or get into that area through work, you may well find you come up against more obvious sexism than in other lines of work/training. I notice that a lot of people on MN (and in RL) will say they just don't really feel as if there is a lot of sexism in their day-to-day lives, but I think in a lot of academic contexts you'd struggle not to notice the sexism.

I don't think you have to be highly educated to be a good feminist, though, or that highly educated people necessarily become feminists - wasn't there a thread about pole dancing at Cambridge University which could demonstrate that one?!

Original poster
suwoo · 08/05/2011 22:52

Thanks both. Veeeeery in-ter-est-ing.

OP posts:
HandDivedScallopsrgreat · 08/05/2011 22:47

I think that if you are used to or have learnt to apply some form of analysis to what you are reading/watching or learning that you are likely to be more politically aware and feminism is political. However from my perspective it was getting more of a social conscience that helped introduce me to feminism and I'm not sure that I got that from university.

However an education always helps in applying theory to real-life situations and that can only help with feminism. Empathy, understanding and courage also helps!

I have 2 separate and unrelated degrees, in answer to your question.

bucaneve · 08/05/2011 22:42

I think it's a valid question suwoo. No idea what the answer is tho!

Personally, I've always felt like feminist and called my self one since I first heard the word (so probably age 8/9ish?).
I have a degree and am about to start an MA. I've always been interested in sociology so I guess I know the "academic" bits of feminism as a result of my education but I think even without my education i'd always be a "gut feeling" sort of feminist as I do remember getting upset about feministy things since I was a child (e.g. my gran telling me not to get my clothes dirty but letting my brother do fun stuff like chop wood or whatever)