tittle@ics.UCI.EDU (Cindy Tittle Moore) (05/22/91)
Review by Cindy Tittle Moore May 8, 1991 This article may be reproduced only in its entirety; which includes preserving the author's name, this notice, and all addresses given at the end. It is freely redistributable as long as all recipients are entitled to do so likewise and no profit is made. Copyright (C) 1991 by Cindy Tittle Moore Femininity by Susan Brownmiller Fawcett Columbine, New York, 1984 ISBN: 0-449-90142-4 (trade paperback) Library of Congress: 84-91664 All page numbers given are from the trade paperback version. This book is straightforward, easy to read and easy to review. Brownmiller explores the various ramifications of ``femininity.'' There are no flashy pyrotechnics, no dazzling theories, no shocking exposes. She tells of the facts and consequences of women trying to match the feminine ideal. I have only several comments. Given Brownmiller's reputation for advocating censorship of pornography and suppression of sadomasochistic behavior, it is surprising that neither of these themes were expounded upon in this book. To be sure, some analysis of pornography is included, but analyzing pornography is separate from censoring it. The analysis is confined mainly to illuminating aspects of pornography that reinforce (undesireable, from the feminist point of view) popular notions of femininity; very standard stuff. In addition, given her prior and subsequent tendency to exemplify women and demonize men, she offers in this book a surprisingly balanced view of women and men. E.g.: ``When nuturing acts are performed by men, they are interpreted as extraordinary or possibly suspect. When nurturance is provided by maids, housekeepers, kindergarten teachers or practical nurses, its value in the marketplace remains low.'' (pg 222) [Notice the gender free occupational designations (except for maid).] ``The human sentiments of motherhood (goodness, self-sacrifice and a specialty in taking care of the wants of others) are without question desirable characteristics for the raising of children, but I would argue strenuously that women do not possess these traits to a greater degree by biological tendency than men.'' (pg 230) Unlike her previous work in Against Our Will , Brownmiller does not try to present women as perfect: ``That a sizeable number of mothers have no genuine aptitude for the job of motherhood is verified by the records of hospitals, family courts and social agencies where cases of battery and neglect are duly entered---and perhaps also by the characteristic upper-class custom of leaving the little ones to the care of the nanny. But despite this evidence that day-to-day motherhood is not a suitable or a stimulating occupation for all, the myth persists that a woman who prefers to remain childless must be heartless or selfish or less than complete.'' (pg 214) In sum, this is a competently written book, but there is little new material here for the person already familiar with the basic feminist objections to feminine ideals. It is a good and readable book for those just beginning to familiarize themselves with this area of feminist thought. The simple and straightforward presentation of the material in particular makes it non-threatening for those who want to find out more about the subject without feeling like they are being attacked (either for being men or for being ``feminine'' women). INTERNET: tittle@ics.uci.edu UUCP: ucbvax!ucivax!tittle BITNET: cltittle@uci.bitnet USmail: PO Box 4188, Irvine CA, 92716