Comments on: "Making the Feminist Mistake": Leslie Bennetts Speaks at the Yale Law School http://broadrecognition.com/politics/making-the-feminist-mistake-leslie-bennetts-speaks-at-the-yale-law-school/ A Feminist Magazine at Yale Mon, 21 May 2012 02:19:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: christine http://broadrecognition.com/politics/making-the-feminist-mistake-leslie-bennetts-speaks-at-the-yale-law-school/#comment-196 christine Sun, 17 Jul 2011 15:56:23 +0000 http://www.broadrecognition.com/?p=353#comment-196 I myself made the "Feminine Mistake". But it is not just about financial vulnerability. It is about giving up control and power on all levels. This is where the inequality lies. A couple makes an agreement that the one of them will "work" at home raising the children. Then somehow this job that is 24-7 is not valued. The name of your publication is "Broad Recognition" - These "Broads" need recognition. Your article in the NYtimes addresses some of this. There needs to be standardized financial recognition of this value. Only then will the choice a woman has between being a caretaker or remaining in the "workforce" really be a viable, equal choice. Not just to the men, but amongst the women. Perhaps some women do "opt-out" for the purpose of convenience. I did not "opt out" of the employed workforce, I "opted in" to committing myself to a job I wanted to do really well. It is not convenient or easy - It can be a real drag, just as being in the "workforce" can be. It certainly does not feel opportunistic, rather the contrary. By the way, I don't bake. I myself made the “Feminine Mistake”. But it is not just about financial vulnerability. It is about giving up control and power on all levels. This is where the inequality lies. A couple makes an agreement that the one of them will “work” at home raising the children. Then somehow this job that is 24-7 is not valued. The name of your publication is “Broad Recognition” – These “Broads” need recognition. Your article in the NYtimes addresses some of this. There needs to be standardized financial recognition of this value. Only then will the choice a woman has between being a caretaker or remaining in the “workforce” really be a viable, equal choice. Not just to the men, but amongst the women.

Perhaps some women do “opt-out” for the purpose of convenience. I did not “opt out” of the employed workforce, I “opted in” to committing myself to a job I wanted to do really well. It is not convenient or easy – It can be a real drag, just as being in the “workforce” can be. It certainly does not feel opportunistic, rather the contrary.

By the way, I don’t bake.

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