The fate of feminism

Feminism is dying. The funeral procession for the movement of the equality of the sexes has long since come and gone. I must admit, I'm misty. My biggest concern is not that the very mention of feminism arouses thoughts of bra-burning, rough-mouthed women, who lack both poise and professionalism in defending their cause -- a stereotype that often overshadows their importance -- but rather that the ideals of the modern feminist contradict the advancement of women in society. Ladies, we are shooting ourselves in the foot!\nA sister of the suffrage movement, feminism originally concentrated on elevating females' social positions to that of males. However, a visit to the Feminists Majority Foundation's Web site identifies the platform of the modern day feminist: reproductive rights. \nThis is where the feminists have flat-lined. The feminist movement rushed to support "The Pill" in the 1960s, the Supreme Court's ruling on Roe vs. Wade in 1972 and the social acceptance of promiscuity and sexual liberation. Have women advanced? The number of abortions, extramarital affairs, pregnancies out of wedlock and failed marriages has continued to rise. A man slips on a condom (a lot like suiting up for battle in this STD-ridden world) and is able to have sexual intercourse, fairly certain that he will not father a child. A visit to a clinic, and women -- duped into believing that children are a curse -- quickly undo the result of a casual sexual encounter. Society has given the sexual revolution a nod of approval. We rush in, relieved to both do what we want, when we want and escape condemnation, yet blind as to why these social standards existed in the first place. A single, monogamous sexual relationship is the only fool-proof way to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections. And why not wait until marriage? There is something about making that lifelong commitment to another person in front of your friends and family. There's security. There's trust. There's love. A quote inside one of Crisis Pregnancy's offices states, "There is no condom, pill or contraceptive that can protect your heart, the essence of you." Amen. \nTo feminists, equality occurs when females say, act and are judged as males say, act and are judged. Inherent strengths and physical differences are ignored. Men set the bar, and women strive to reach that height, when in fact, it's a whole different ball game altogether. Females outshine men at organization and presentation, are more intuitive and have better listening skills, while the decisive, less emotional, confident and candid nature of males helps them to thrive. Success involves a balance of both. Very few would disagree with the discrepancies in pay between men and women in the workforce. Women tend to be the minority at the top-level of competitive, high-profile jobs. They also tend to be the primary caregivers of their family, making them both unable and often unwilling to work the 60-plus hours a week it takes to reach the top. When discussing pay in a job interview, women tend to lowball their desired salary while men shoot well above their expectations. Sometimes all it takes for a woman to receive a higher salary is the audacity involved in asking for it.\nThe feminist movement cannot be dismissed altogether. Their efforts to preserve Title IX, to encourage young women to enter into traditionally male dominated fields and to work to preserve the dignity of women are to be applauded, but the validity, and ultimately, the vitality of the feminist movement involve embracing women's strengths. If we continue to reject and redefine our true femininity, we will soon be singing our own Requiem.