I read a book

Today I read a book that I really disliked. Not enough to stop reading, I was definitely hoping for a happy ending, but one I was dissatisfied with at the end. I won't fully go into the story line or ending but I will say the main point of the book is questioning current trends in feminism and making a comment on how many idealists turn a blind eye to the discrepancies between their beliefs and actions.

I believe myself to be a feminist yes, but there are many feminists who would consider me a traitor and a liar. My beliefs are not anti-porn or women are better than men. My beliefs aren't going to fight to keep every woman in a CEO position if they want to stay home to take care of their babies. My feminism isn't bra burning or all men spurning, it just is. A definition of feminism is: the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. Is that even possible? Could i take out the word equality and switch it for balance? That would be my definition. I believe women can do great things, I believe that women should be able to get to the top of the corporate ladder without everyone asking who she slept with to get there... I believe that women can be strong and talented and smart and some can be dumb and weak. But I also believe that men can be strong and talented and smart and others can be dumb and weak as well. I don't have clear black and white rules for my feminism (much less anything else I believe in).

I am strong, I am (or can be) independent (living with my mom right now, not so independent in that field), I am smart and funny and fun and I am a feminist and it burns my hide when my mom blanches at the idea of and would never dream of calling herself a feminist. It doesn't have to be as scary as some make it out to be. Or at least that's where I am at right now. But maybe I am wrong, maybe I should be donning some combat boots, putting on some armor, saying goodbye to make up, perfume and cute underthings and hitting the road.

I think what frustrates me the most with this book is everyone wanting the main character to pick and choose from her ideals and telling her it's a bad economy and something that wouldn't make her happy is a great opportunity so she should have taken it. It's too close to home. I get it, the economy isn't great but good lord should that make everyone say goodbye to what they believe and grasp onto anything they can because they are desperate?

I don't have any answers, just a continuously growing list of questions.