I am quite excited about the Women Unbound Reading Challenge (thank you Eva, Aarti and Care!). I’ve been haunting the Women’s Studies sections of bookstores lately and have come up with my reading list (which, of course, could change at any time…but for now it gives me a place to start).
Before I get to the list, though, I’ll answer the Start-of-Challenge meme:
1. What does feminism mean to you? Does it have to do with the work sphere? The social sphere? How you dress? How you act?
For me, feminism means that women have the right to be who they want to be, without limitations placed upon them by society, culture, government or others. If a woman wants to be a firefighter, president, CEO, stay-at-home mom or stripper, that is her right, and she should not suffer harassment or impediments. Feminism also includes freedom from judgement for one’s choices.
2. Do you consider yourself a feminist? Why or why not?
Yes, although not a vocal one. But I do have a strong belief in my right to live my life as I please. And I have a strong belief that you have the same right. I just don’t want to argue about our individual choices.
3. What do you consider the biggest obstacle women face in the world today? Has that obstacle changed over time, or does it basically remain the same?
I would say the largest obstacle is society and ingrained beliefs. While women in Yemen are certainly faced with different obstacles than women in the US, it still comes down to societal norms. For example, even though I have been with my boyfriend for 17 years, there are still people who are surprised that I am not married (or have children). In our society, there is still the expectation that women want to get married and have children. In certain parts of the world, there is the expectation that young women will undergo female genital circumcision. Pressure to conform to these norms can take away a woman’s choice. Society as a whole has certain expectations, and when you diverge from those expectations, people want to know why. So I would say that breaking free of norms has been and remains a huge obstacle.
********************
A few details of the challenge from the About Challenge page:
Women’s Studies is defined as the multidisciplinary study of the social status and societal contributions of women and the relationship between power and gender.
For nonfiction, this would include books on feminism, history books focused on women, biographies of women, memoirs (or travelogues) by women, essays by women and cultural books focused on women (body image, motherhood, etc.).
It’s trickier to say what is applicable as fiction. Obviously, any classic fiction written by a feminist is applicable. But where do we go from there? To speak generally, if the book takes a thoughtful look at the place of women in society, it will probably count.
There are three levels you can choose as a reader:
- Philogynist: read at least two books, including at least one nonfiction one.
- Bluestocking: read at least five books, including at least two nonfiction ones.
- Suffragette: read at least eight books, including at least three nonfiction ones.
I’m joining as a Suffragette. My initial reading list includes:
- A Woman’s Place: 1910-1975, by Ruth Adam
- Three Guineas, Virginia Woolf
- Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
- Virginity or Death! And Other Social and Political Issues of Our Time, Katha Pollitt
- French Milk, Lucy Knisley
- The Beauty Myth, Naomi Woolf
- The Feminine Mystique, Betty Friedan (I’m about 1/2 way through this on audio, and despite Parker Posey’s annoying voice, I’m determined to finish)
- Full Frontal Feminism, Jessica Valenti
- When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present, Gail Collins
- A Bookshelf of Our Own, Deborah Felder
- The Concubine’s Daughter, Pai Kit Fai
********************
Are you participating in this challenge? Do you have any suggestions for my reading list?
Nice list! I am participating in this challenge too but so far my list is pretty haphazard. I hope to read Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson, before it needs to go back to the library and that would count towards this challenge.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Teaser Tuesday: Peony in Love =-.
I love that you include “freedom from judgment” as criteria. That seems to be the problem today (in America). We technically have the ability to be whatever we would like, but we do not have the freedom from judgment that comes with being something considered “male”.
.-= Trisha´s last blog ..Giveaway: Night =-.
Your list looks great! I keep on wanting to change my mind about my list every time I see anyone else’s. There are simply too many wonderful books out there. Here’s my list for now:
http://bookshelfmonstrosity.blogspot.com/2009/11/women-unbound-reading-challenge.html
.-= A Bookshelf Monstrosity´s last blog ..Waiting On Wednesday (8) =-.
I am also excited about this challenge especially as it’s my first book/blogging challenge! I’ve finished my first book, Persepolis (which I liked) and am on my second: In the Name of Honor
.-= Helen´s last blog ..Persepolis (Marjane Satrapi) =-.
Good list! I also really liked “Making Connections” by Carol Gilligan et al about adolescent girls finding their voices, and Unbearable Weight by Susa Bordo about, what else, weight obsession.
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Winners of “A Dog About Town” by J.F. Englert =-.
I love your answers! Good luck with the challenge!
Absolutely — freedom. Why is it that “they” always think that long-term living together is not a valid choice? That the woman secretly wants to get married and have kids? That the guy is always the holdup? Grrrrrrr.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday (November 11) =-.
“Feminism also includes freedom from judgment for one’s choices.” Heck, yeah. As a frequent bystander in the “mommy wars” – although I try to stay out of the skirmishes – I definitely second that one.
The Katha Pollitt book sounds intriguing. I didn’t put the Gail Collins book on my original list, but I did just download it for my Kindle a few days ago, so I’m pretty sure I’ll be reading that one for the challenge too.
Glad you got around to signing up
!
.-= Florinda´s last blog ..This Old Thing? (Weekend Assignment #292) =-.
I agree that societal norms is something that can be hard to break away from. But when you do, it feels so good to stand on your own.
.-= Vasilly´s last blog ..Mini-Readathon! =-.
In this part of the world, people would have really talked a hell lot about you
I mean they can’t believe that a girl after the “optimum” age is sitting idle and not getting married! That a couple actually dnt want to have kids at all now.
Come on it is not for us to judge them, they have right to be what they want to be.
God, I wish people would spare us from “questioning” our decisions
Good point!
I have NEVER heard of any of the books you mention here… and I really have nothing in my TBR to join this one!
.-= Veens´s last blog ..The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown =-.
Your comments are spot on. I think it does boil down to choice and not being criticised for the choices which we make after thinking long and hard about our lives and beliefs.
Of your TBR list, I am intrigued by Well-behaved Women Seldom Make History (which I haven’t heard about) and Full Frontal Feminism (which I have heard about but haven’t read.)
Good luck!
.-= Sakura´s last blog ..In Preparation: Galle Literary Festival 2010 =-.
It’s great that you have joined the challenge! I think I won’t be able to escape it either… LOL But I’m being very strict to myself: I have to FINISH a challenge before I can start a new one. Otherwise I might get overwhelmed!
Having said that… I already know two books I am going to read for this challenge
Persepolis and The Pillowbook, both memoirs. And I can probably think of several others 
Especially when reading the blogs of other participants 
I’m afraid I haven’t heard of any that are on your list :\ So let’s wait and see what you think of them! 
I am so glad you are participating! I am really intrigued by the first book on your list- what an amazing period of time for a book on women’s history to center on!
Honestly, all the non-fiction titles people are reading intrigue me more than the fiction ones. I wonder why.
And I’m so glad that you point out the issue is societal norms, across countries. So many people talk about women in the Middle East or Asia or Africa, as though women here lead much easier lives. But I think it’s about choice. If women are HAPPY living the way they are living, then I have no issues with it. But if they’re not, regardless of what the situation may be… then they should be able to do something about it.
.-= Aarti´s last blog ..Rosie’s Riveters: Luanne & Mary Gooch =-.