A quick Google search defines feminism as advocacy for women’s rights with the intention of achieving gender equality. The feminist movement is dynamic and has evolved with the changing social climates throughout history.
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Choice feminism has emerged as a modern take on feminism. Ironically, the term ‘choice feminism’ comes from Linda Hirshman’s criticism of complacent women choosing to follow societal expectations set out by the patriarchy who also identify as ‘feminists.’ Choice feminists maintain a woman’s choice is inherently feminist, regardless of what that decision means for themselves or the feminist movement. The ‘choice’ movement upholds a woman who chooses to stay at home and raise children as equally feminist as a woman who chooses to be a doctor. According to choice feminism, all power to you.
A woman cannot adhere to societal expectations that leverage male privilege at the same time as identifying as a feminist. Choice feminism completely ignores the patriarchal society that interferes with a woman’s choice. There are certain expectations placed upon her, dictating the choice she is making. She is expected to take her husband’s surname in marriage, bear children, raise children and care for her family. How is a woman supposed to make an unbiased decision without restriction from pervasive social pressures? Choice under duress and the ‘choice’ celebrated by choice feminism are not the same.
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Some women have no choice. Take for instance a young Somalian girl. She does not have a choice whether to undergo genital mutilation. Female genital mutilation is a procedure to remove external genitalia or to injure female genital organs. The procedures are forced. According to UNICEF, 98% of Somalian women up to 49 years old have suffered genital mutilation. Choice feminism asserts all women have equal rights to have a choice. It is a post-feminist philosophy. Post-feminist philosophy rejects feminism, instead claiming that gender equality has been achieved. Post-feminist philosophy endangers the future of women and girls who rely on feminism to change policies and attitudes towards women.
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Unequal power dynamics are exactly what feminism fights. Negative attitudes towards women, fixed gender roles, and reduced societal participation are not bygone issues. The manifestations of negative attitudes towards women and power imbalances are undyingly pervasive; abuse, exploitation, domestic violence. Choice feminism negates female empowerment by justifying any choice women make as ‘feminist.’ The idealistic façade that choice feminism promotes perpetuates inequality.
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Choice feminism is too easy. It is easy to follow standard social progression; get a job, find a partner, get married, have children and stay at home to raise them. What’s even better is you can be ‘feminist’ while entertaining the male agenda by remaining financially dependent, reinforcing gender household roles, and not teaching your children any better. If anything, choice feminism promotes a return to harmful conventions, undoing decades of advocacy for equal rights. Choice feminism makes light of the very real struggles faced by those who cannot choose.
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Contrary to the post-feminist notions of the choice feminist movement, true feminism is as necessary now as it was at its inception. The fight for equality is not over.
References
Analysis of Linda Hirshman's Manifesto for Women
Linda Hirshman's Take on Feminism
The Australian Government's Inquiry into the Relationship of Domestic Violence and Gender Inequality
UNICEF's Global Concern for Female Genital Mutilation
WHO's Definition of Female Genital Mutilation