For
at least seven years now I have
tweeted,
tooted and
posted at
length, both
in English and
in Spanish,
about the failures of contemporary orthodox feminism.
I still consider myself a feminist, as per the sensible and constructive definitions of the word
(equality under the law, equality of opportunity, opposition to sexism, respect for individual choice).
But I keep on seeing so many inconsistencies, anti-scientific ideas, petty grievances, misandry, and hatred
on mainstream feminism, and its focus is misplaced so often, that sometimes I have to repudiate the label
and write against that hegemonic strand of feminism.
In the last decade or so, discussing differences in aggregate outcomes per sex has become especially problematic.
I see two main pitfalls there.
First, the eternal tension between nature and nurture, and the corresponding open debates.
That makes it very difficult to tell to what degree gaps between the sexes are due to innate differences or to
upbringing and cultural norms and expectations.
(Are there way more men in prison than women because men are naturally more inclined towards crime and anti-social behaviour,
or because culture teaches men and women to behave differently and punishes them differently?)
Second, it is not always obvious for everybody what is a “good” outcome or a “preferable” outcome
in the first place.
(Is the fact that men work longer hours than women on average an advantage of being male because it means they earn
more money and get more meaning and prestige from their jobs, or are women better off because work is work after all
and it's better to avoid stress and night shifts and have more time and energy for other aspects of life?)
