I consider myself a feminist...and a housewife.

BitofFun, the fact that you can choose to wear jeans and not a long dress is part of the history feminism actually.

Purits, why don't your write out a role description for us - it seems a feminist must also be a role model to 'rally womankind' too?

Just assuming for a moment, as purits suggests, that not wanting a salaried job equates to being lazy (which I don't personally agree with) - I wasn't aware that being 'lazy' disqualifies one from being a feminist?

Can you not have indolent feminists then? Is it essential to graft until your knuckles bleed?

Bollocks!

SMP What would tne feminist answer?

I wasn't quoting you WW, I was quoting the OP.
She didn't give some speech about the importance of raising the next generation or how worthwhile and enriching it all is. She just said that she didn't want a job and was 'dreading' having to go back to work at some stage. Not exactly the stuff to rally womankind, is it?

Of course you can be a SAHM and a feminist.
Its all about choice and you have made the one that makes you feel content and happy. I feel more fullfilled now being a SAHM then I ever did when I was working.

This issue keeps coming up on these threads: the idea that feminism is about choice. But it isn't. That is just libertarianism.

I chose to wear jeans today, and I am a woman. Ergo wearing jeans is a feminist act.

Er, not really.

I've got a job. I work seven days a week, sometimes very long shifts. Sorry you don't see that as work, purits.

I used to work in the City, five days a week and often until 9 pm at night. That was nothing compared to what I do now.

So excuse me if I feel mildly irritated at being called lazy.

Eh? You mean the 'freedom' to say "I don't want a job"? That's not choice, that's laziness.

Feminism is about choice and being respected for your choice whether is be a sahm or a working mother.

Trouble is, nobody has much respect for the job parents do, women or men. That's the disgusting thing. Nobody values the time and effort people choose to spend with their children, sometimes at the sacrifice of their careers.

I think feminism, more than anything, is about the right to choose how you live your life without external pressure.

You've made a choice you're happy with, but you know about and support womens' rights to pursue other paths, and as far as I'm concerned that's completely fair enough. Do what makes you happy.

Why do you consider yourself a feminist? What do you do that could be classed as feminist?

Purit - Darcymum made a choice about what she wanted to do, isn't that what Feminism was all about, women having the freedom to choose?

Groan. Are you trying to incite Xenia? She'll be along soon to tell you where you're going wrong, you do realise that, don't you?

Are you Descartes?
"I think I am a feminist therefore I am"

Why do you consider yourself a feminist? What do you do that could be classed as feminist?
If cheering from the sidelines counts then I won the London marathon yesterday.

Interestingly I have been reading some of the feminist threads and having the same thoughts. I trained as an engineer, worked in a factory with no women's loos. travelled half way round the world on my own and earned more money than my husband, now I rely on my husband for all my money, I cook and clean for my family and have no intention of going back to work. I like making cakes, doing the school run and dream of making my own curtains.

I am proud of who I was before and am proud of who I am now, but often wonder if it wouldn't have been easier to have gone to finishing school, married well and had my children earlier.

I will encourage my daughter to be whoever she wants to be, but deep down, what do I want for her?