Reply #16: I remember many female friends expressing their adamant denials [View All]

[hlthe2b]

of being a "feminist" (during my years in college and grad school). I can't imagine any of these women went on to become Repugs--too well educated and intelligent for that. Nonetheless, the stereotype of feminism that they took to heart was one of 1. single (and by that I mean indefinitely single), heterosexual professional women married to their jobs and constantly incuring the disdain of men who were intimidated by their assertiveness, intelligence, or superior income; or 2. lesbians.

My guess is that most of these women friends would not mind the label now. (I certainly don't, but then I don't mind being labeled "liberal," which has been similarly "villainized" by media and the RW). With age and maturity comes wisdom, independence and the ability to discount social perceptions.

Nonetheless, if you asked women on college campuses to this day if any of those stereotypes "hold" or concern them, my guess is that they would say yes.

Truly, society's way of holding women in check.....