With recent comments surrounding presidential candidates, feminist values are debated.
Due to personal interpretation, the definition of feminism is not always simple.
After recent comments from figures as prominent as Gloria Steinem and Gov. John Kasich regarding the role of women in the presidential election, students at Ohio University have begun to question what it means to be a feminist in regard to politics.
“I think it is hard to put a universal definition of feminism because it is always changing,” Mark Phillips, a junior studying integrated media and a Bernie Sanders supporter, said.
However, Phillips said if one cannot define it, one cannot have a conversation about it. He defined feminism as “striving not only for men and women to be equal in society but also in the minds of everyone.”
Steinem, a Hillary Clinton supporter and feminist, came under fire for her comments suggesting women who supported Bernie Sanders were doing so for “the boys.”
“I think that is a very common tenet of white feminism — that we need to rally around women for the sake of being women, and it ignores a lot of the other intersexual identities women may possess, such as their race or their sexuality or their socioeconomic status,” Sarah Jenkins, programming coordinator of the Women’s Center, said.
Phillips asked the question: “Why would a feminist have to vote for Hillary?”
By electing Clinton based on gender, Phillips said the voter is putting women on a pedestal.
“Strip away all policy, ... if you are voting for Hillary for no other reason besides she is a woman, I do not think that is feminism. I do not think that is equal,” Phillips said.
Ruby Williams, a feminist and Bobcats for Bernie member, said a candidate’s polices are her main consideration.
“I think it is a ridiculous expectation to assume or expect a woman to vote for a woman,” Williams, a freshman studying integrated social studies education, said.
That expectation of voting for someone’s own gender enforces gender roles, she said.
“I think it is hypocritical of the feminist movement,” Williams said. “The kind of background noise of feminism, and especially modern feminism, is ‘you do you, girl.’ It is about making your own choice.”
Jacob Hoback, a freshman studying music composition, identifies as both a feminist and a Republican.
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“When I go by the term feminist, it is not like this now-new culture — this Tumblr feminism,” Hoback said. “It is … feminism rooted with Susan B. Anthony and Dr. Alveda King.”
Hoback said that new kind of feminism has a focus on reproductive rights, and his beliefs are rooted more in “general equality,” equal pay and right to work.
“Most Republicans don’t go into the term feminist because it seems that you have to be pro-choice to be a modern-day feminist,” Hoback said. “To fit in, you do have to hold those values.”
But not fitting in with the feminist values of the majority does not stop Hoback from identifying as a feminist.
Hoback said if voters prefer a woman’s policies, they should elect her. As a fan of previous Republican candidate Carly Fiorina, he said he was ready to support a woman for president.
Williams said she would love to support a woman, but too much attention is being placed on Clinton’s identity as a woman.
“It is degrading to the policies she stands for,” she said.
Though Williams said the focus on Clinton's gender rather than her policies may not be intentional, it is indicative of society as a whole.
Hayley Hammerstrom, a Clinton supporter, said she sees that kind of treatment of candidates throughout politics.
“There is always going to be a superficial aspect,” Hammerstrom, a freshman studying journalism and psychology, said. “It is there regardless of gender.”
But she said that treatment is often more pronounced with women. Female politicians are expected to be “graceful” and “attractive,” all while derogatory words such as “slut” and “whore” are seen in comments on YouTube videos where they're featured, she said.
While on the campaign trail, Kasich received criticism after he said he had “many women (leave) their kitchens” to campaign for him.
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Trump’s recent comments about fellow Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz's wife, Heidi Cruz, compared her attractiveness to Trump's wife, and similar comments were called out by the media.
Hoback said the media is being unequal in coverage by highlighting Trump’s treatment of women. He added that criticizing Trump's hairstyle is just as bad as criticizing a woman for what she is wearing.
“I think with elections, we still have a lot of progress to make on how we represent men and women,” Jenkins said. “I think there is still a long way to go to make sure they are getting equal representation, and that representation is not being conflated with their gender identity alone.”
@graceoliviahill
gh663014@ohio.edu
