I'm a feminist but...

[notenoughsocks]

I'm a feminist but I like crochet and baking....

I would like to know what you do/like that doesn't, as far as you know, tie in easily with most people's ideas about feminism and feminists. I started thinking about the idea when I kept reading posts that said something along the lines of 'I can't be a feminist because I'm a SAHM but [something very feminst]...'.

As this is my first ever thread (aside from the 'help - is this rash normal? sort) please go easy. Perhaps more towards the light hearted end of the spectrum. Just interested really in stereotypes of feminsts and feminism and ways to combat them.

I think you will get a lot of posts saying of course you can be a feminist and like crochet / baking / whatever.

I think a lot of women hold views that were once espoused by feminists and are now just seen as so obviously sensible - right to vote, equal pay etc. But because the 'average' woman does bother to go around burning her bra (a myth I know!) or other stereotypes she thinks "I'm not a feminist but..."

I think a lot of stereotypes are created by comedians / the media. I'm thinking of black people being portrayed as lazy, that sort of thing. Recently the follow up to Little Britain has the hen pecked husband who can't get a word in over his domaneering wife - a lot of people might think that is what feminists are like.

Too many 'I thinks' there!

Well, I don't see why you can't be s feminist and like baking. I am definitely a feminist but like cooking and wearing make up. I am also the main breadwinner.

I think that's the OP's point - what things do you do that don't fit the stereotype

I make cupcakes and I have the audacity to give them away - I don't even run a little cupcake business.

I'm a feminist but I find men in films sexy when they are all powerful and 'manly' . It annoys me that I do!

I'm a feminist and yesterday morning I baked 36 jam tarts. But I fixed a set of stabiliser wheels on a bicycle while they were cooking. :o

I wear make up and heels sometimes. But my feminist principles remain intact (I believe)

Also like sewing, knitting, baking, being a SAHM and I don't like cars or football or other things that are 'boy' things. I am soooooooooooooooooooooo socialised into being a 'girl'.

And I shave my legs and armpits...and put on make up when I'm going out...and am trying to lose weight because I worry about what I look like.

All in all, I'm a pretty shit feminist really! Carmina would be horrified!

SGM - I have been on two courses.

I don't massively enjoy the taste of them but I think they look pretty.

I'm baffled - what do people actually think feminism is? Because in my mind it sure as hell isn't about being ashamed of doing things you enjoy.

I make brownies and read Jane Austen.

I hate taking the bins out and relegate it to Mr.R whenever possible .

I wear heels sometimes.

I'm a feminist and I'm happily married to someone who thinks I'm dead sexy. I really enjoy having a laugh with male friends. Obviously there's no contradiction in any of the above, but according to the common stereotype there would be.

Hassled have you never come across the stereotypes? You have been lucky :)

I am a feminist but I like Cath Kidston. Beat that! Ha!

I like making lemon drizzle cake
And choc chip cookies
And jam
And dinner

And I wear make up and heels and wax armpits and legs and dye hair

They're just hobbies though aren't they?

Feminists can have hobbies regardless, surely?

See to me this strays towards the whole Boys toys/ girls toys thing. They're just toys.

Same with Girls hobbies/ Boys hobbies. < cringing at how simplistic it sounds>

I cross stitch but if a fairy waved a wand today and asked what I would love to do beyond anything the answer would be a Motor Mechanic. Ever since I was a teenager. I would be damned good at it.

I wear make up

I like clothes shopping

I shave my legs and armpits and like to have a suntan

I paint my nails (work pattern allowing)

There are things I like to do in the bedroom that probably don't fit into a feminist pigeonhole

do I care ? not really...

FoofffyShmoofffer I am hoping you get your wish to be a mechanic one day!

I am a feminist but I squeal whenever I see the mouse that has taken up residence in our house and have to get my DH to catch it (humanely, I hasten to add). I do remove all the spiders in our house though.

And I knit and bake. And wear skirts. And I definitely don't burn my bra (largely because my norks are so bloody big that I need them).

Feminism and femininity are not mutually exclusive :)

Hassled, I am not ashamed of baking - or crochet - or shaving my legs for that matter .

I would just like to feel more armed and ready for certain situations which I constantly seem to find myself. Perhaps I am alone her but people seem to have great difficulty in reconciling my 'feminism' with my baking/love of pretty things etc. Also, want more ammunitation to convince sceptics that feminism and feminsts is not scary - a hair shirted sort of club.