Has being a feminist changed the way you behave/think?

[ElephantsAndMiasmas]

Was pondering this after all the kerfuffle on other threads. Since I started learning more about feminism I have found myself changing my behaviour. For instance, if I hear about a sexual assault happening to someone (friend or stranger), I sit very hard on the part of my brain that wants to ask "what was she doing out at that time of night/on her own/wearing that?"

Because I know that it's a vile thought process the result of which will always be removing the responsibility from the attacker to the woman involved. And I don't want to be a part of that.

Anyone else changed the things they think/say/do?

Yes, and I am starting to think that that is what people mean when they say to me 'don't go too far'. I think they mean, 'don't let feminist ideals spoil every experience you have'. Of course, they want me to enjoy my life because they love me, but what they're really saying, but not aware of it, is that there is so much that is unequal in our culture that it is highly likely that I will find little to be amused by/enjoy if I'm constantly being bristled by the misogyny in it

Would be far better if they all joined me in fighting it...then we might actually begin to find that there is more and more stuff that can be funny, and interesting without there being any misogynistic crap in it at all!

We seem to have managed the art of good comedy and tv/films without denigrating black people - why not the same for women?

Ha yes, in recent years at least.

I am still in the process of my feminist awakening and so struggle with decisions that may be clouded/influenced by my patriarchal ideals...like ds is going to be 9 soon and wants two toys (woody and the horse) for his birthday, I am ensuring that my decision is based what's best for him and not what's best for him as a boy!

I have just about (not quite) managed to overcome my prejudices about anything for children though - like I try to not decide not to get the 7yo that book aimed for 2yo that she wants because, quite clearly, she wants it. And I once nearly didn't get her something 'educational' because, even though she wanted it, I thought 'I can't get her educational stuff for her birthday present' .

Having children, and particularly home educating them, has really made me confront a lot of my preconcieved ideas about what one should and should not enjoy/be interested in - things that are based purely on social norms rather than on rational though.