Elyssa's review

Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman's Guide to Why Feminism Matters
by Jessica Valenti

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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/390778.Full_Frontal_Feminism_A_Young_Woman_s_Guide_to_Why_Feminism_Matters?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=blog_review" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman's Guide to Why Feminism Matters" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174387187m/390778.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/390778.Full_Frontal_Feminism_A_Young_Woman_s_Guide_to_Why_Feminism_Matters?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman's Guide to Why Feminism Matters</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/222118.Jessica_Valenti">Jessica Valenti</a> 
 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7838503?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review"><h3>My review</h3></a>
 rating: 4 of 5 stars I found this book to be very affirming. I have considered myself a feminist ever since my mother (and father) instilled these values in me as a girl. In the last 10 years or so, I have felt the need to apologize for or validate my stance and this book reminded me that this approach is flawed. 
 
 The author, Jessica Valenti, does an effective job of dispelling the feminist stereotypes, i.e. the man-hating, sex-hating, anti-motherhood/family, militant woman, etc. She makes it clear that if you support a woman's right to have the same opportunities as men; to be paid the same as men for equivalent work; to be able to have access to contraceptives and to have a choice about how and when to bear children; to be safe from harassment, domestic violence, and sexual assualt; to have childcare available so that mothers can continue careers as easily as fathers, etc. that you are pro-feminist. As you can see, these are basic human freedoms and really nothing radical.
 
 She shows the double binds that women must endure. An example is glaring messages from the media for females to look sexy and attractive (starting at a very young age), but don't have sex until you're married. Women in positions of power must constantly negotiate the balance between appearing too aggressive, but also showing that they can lead. This is on top of having their looks and clothing scrutinized to determine their value. The author cites studies where female politicians had much more media coverage on their clothing, accessories and hairstyles, while the coverage for male politicians was on actual issues.
 
 I was impressed that she devoted a chapter to men and how sexism creates rigid gender roles that also limit men. She encourages men to join in the fight for women's equality and I agree that their help is desperately needed.
 
 She also included women of color, class issues, lesbian feminists, and other women who were often marginalized in the first and second waves of feminism. What makes the third wave so exciting is that it is much more inclusive and is showing the intersection between multiple social justice issues. 
 
 The blog/'zine-like tone and language of the book might be hard for some readers to absorb. The author uses a lot of profanity and slang to make her points. I found this refreshing because she NEVER minced words and told it like it is. 
 
 Even if you don't read this book, check out the author's website called feministing.org. It has lots of links and information to help anyone learn about the issues and become more active in attaining true equality. 
 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/365163?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">View all my reviews.</a>

Elyssa's review
rating:

bookshelves: feminism
recommended for: women and men
status: Read in December, 2007

I found this book to be very affirming. I have considered myself a feminist ever since my mother (and father) instilled these values in me as a girl. In the last 10 years or so, I have felt the need to apologize for or validate my stance and this book reminded me that this approach is flawed.

The author, Jessica Valenti, does an effective job of dispelling the feminist stereotypes, i.e. the man-hating, sex-hating, anti-motherhood/family, militant woman, etc. She makes it clear that if you support a woman's right to have the same opportunities as men; to be paid the same as men for equivalent work; to be able to have access to contraceptives and to have a choice about how and when to bear children; to be safe from harassment, domestic violence, and sexual assualt; to have childcare available so that mothers can continue careers as easily as fathers, etc. that you are pro-feminist. As you can see, these are basic human freedoms and really nothing radical.

She shows the double bind...more I found this book to be very affirming. I have considered myself a feminist ever since my mother (and father) instilled these values in me as a girl. In the last 10 years or so, I have felt the need to apologize for or validate my stance and this book reminded me that this approach is flawed.

The author, Jessica Valenti, does an effective job of dispelling the feminist stereotypes, i.e. the man-hating, sex-hating, anti-motherhood/family, militant woman, etc. She makes it clear that if you support a woman's right to have the same opportunities as men; to be paid the same as men for equivalent work; to be able to have access to contraceptives and to have a choice about how and when to bear children; to be safe from harassment, domestic violence, and sexual assualt; to have childcare available so that mothers can continue careers as easily as fathers, etc. that you are pro-feminist. As you can see, these are basic human freedoms and really nothing radical.

She shows the double binds that women must endure. An example is glaring messages from the media for females to look sexy and attractive (starting at a very young age), but don't have sex until you're married. Women in positions of power must constantly negotiate the balance between appearing too aggressive, but also showing that they can lead. This is on top of having their looks and clothing scrutinized to determine their value. The author cites studies where female politicians had much more media coverage on their clothing, accessories and hairstyles, while the coverage for male politicians was on actual issues.

I was impressed that she devoted a chapter to men and how sexism creates rigid gender roles that also limit men. She encourages men to join in the fight for women's equality and I agree that their help is desperately needed.

She also included women of color, class issues, lesbian feminists, and other women who were often marginalized in the first and second waves of feminism. What makes the third wave so exciting is that it is much more inclusive and is showing the intersection between multiple social justice issues.

The blog/'zine-like tone and language of the book might be hard for some readers to absorb. The author uses a lot of profanity and slang to make her points. I found this refreshing because she NEVER minced words and told it like it is.

Even if you don't read this book, check out the author's website called feministing.org. It has lots of links and information to help anyone learn about the issues and become more active in attaining true equality. ...less

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message 1: by Kacey

12/19/2007 06:16PM

This sounds great! i'm putting it on my to read list!