Company Magazine Article - What Does Feminism Mean in 2010?

The May 2010 edition of Company Magazine has an article called "What is Feminism in 2010" which is the first in their new series of Company Reports. It is introduced by an Editor's letter which explains how many people see feminism as somehow dead or irrelevant in 2010 - haven't we all got our rights now? She highlights the fact that "womens studies" is no longer a degree course in the UK, although still is popular in countries like Iran and India. This reminds her that the fight for equal legal rights may be 'won' here in the UK, but is far from over in many countries around the world. She concludes that perhaps feminism now is about ensuring that all women, no matter where they happen to be born, have the freedoms we enjoy.

The article begins with reminding us how far we have come in the last 40 years. It states that despite many changes for the better, feminism is not dead, it has just changed. Apparently there is a new surge of feminists heading this way, and that the new feminism means a better world for both women and men. Feminism now still includes discrimination, but also explores other issues that affect women - for example, our body image and how many females are in power.

Statistics quoted include:

• Women are still paid on average 22.6% less per hour than men
• Only 1 in 5 MPs in the House of Commons are female
• Last year 100,000 women were raped in the UK (with a conviction rate of 6.5%
• Kathryn Bigelow won the Oscar for Best Director (the first woman to ever win)

Ellie Levenson believes that feminism is about making choices. Being able to choose to stay at home, choose to shave, or choose whether to take her husband's name. She even talks about needing to rebrand 'feminism' from the image many have of by-gone days.

It is Company, and it is a light weight article (what else would we expect?) but it raises questions and hopefully encourages more people to consider where they stand on the issues surrounding women around the world.

It also includes 4 Feminist icons for 2010:

Jess McCabe - she is the editor of The F-Word who believes that "there are too many women affected by unequal pay, sexual or domestic violence, and everyday sexism for feminism not to be important."

Sam Roddick - daughter of Anita Roddick and owner of Coco De Mer. Company magazine have called her a pioneer who encourages women to express their sexual desires.

Jessica Velenti - she is the editor of Feministing.com

Anna van Heeswijk - she is campaign coordinator for Object which challenges the objectification of women.

Judge Judy

One of my guilty pleasures in life is watching Judge Judy. I love her no-nonsense, common sense approach to life, and respect how hard she has worked to get where she is today. Please don't judge me too harshly she is an intelligent lady with some interesting points of view - I promise!

Her book, 'Beauty Fades, Dumb is Forever: The Making of a Happy Woman' opens with an introduction that says, "I think I am somewhat of an expert on why women make stupid choices." She certainly has an experience many of us do not. Years working in a family court, along side her more recent TV experiences have shown her what happens when relationships break down. Judge Judy Sheindlin explains, "I've seen what lack of self worth does to people, especially to women. Women put themselves in bad business situations, and they tolerate demoralising and demeaning conditions. They don't choose their mates, they allow themselves to be chosen. They stay in relationships that are untenable, with men who are physically and emotionally abusive. They defer to men, because they doubt their own self worth."

She goes on to list her 'rules' (which I have paraphrased in my own words):

1) Beauty fades, dumb is forever - we shouldn't allow ourselves to be defined by our how we look.
2) Don't crawl when you can fly - do not hide a talent, or keep hidden a strength for fear of being seen as less feminine. Be all you can be.
3) What goes up must come down - do not believe the myth that sex is power. Giving a man what he wants in the bedroom will not secure what you want from him the rest of the time. Treat your body as a temple.
4) Denial is a river in Egypt - quite a controversial one from Judge Judy here - basically if you are being abusived, physically and/or mentally stop excusing or denying it. Don't be a victim.
5) Master the game and then play it - learn the rules of how to succeed in the workplace and then do it.
6) You're the trunk of the tree - women hold together communities and families all over the world but can only do this if they are strong in themselves. Take time to care for yourself as well as others.
7) You can't teach the bull to dance - you cannot change your partner.
8) Failure doesn't build character - we need to give our girls a chance to succeed so they can develop confidence in their ability to shine.
9) Letting go is half the fun - you have to be able to let your children go, don't love your life through your children.
10) You can be the hero of your own story - life is what you make it. Whatever age you are, you are in control of how your life is - make it fabulous!

Judge Judy isn't for everyone, but she is someone who believes in empowering women - to not put up with any less than they deserve. I don't have any statistics, but it is noticable that it is mostly women suing men on her court TV show. Women who loan men (often loser men, jobless and ambitionless etc) money and then are surprised when they get nothing back. It is rare to see it the other way round (yes it happens, but in the hundreds of shows I see there is a definite trend). Judge Judy has even commented on the fact. Are they wanting to save them? Do they somehow believe the men will become so grateful and dependent on the women that he will never leave? Do the words 'I love you' really allow some women to lose all sense of rational thought?

Judge Judy has said that she doesn't connect to the term 'feminist' but she certainly has a lot to say about it! The piece of advice I hear her give the most? Never co-sign for someone's credit. Never have a shared bank account unless you are married. Never loan money without a written contract. Oh, and never co-sign for someone's credit.