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TALES FROM THE FEMALE SIDE
Kathlyn Q. Barrozo
Class of 1991, University of Santo Tomas
B.S. Medical Technology
Feminism is a movement to gain equality between men and women in a world mostly run by males. There was
a time when the movement was very aggressively taken, but I guess I was just too young to comprehend it all.
However, seeing as how women nowadays have somehow been able to gain equality with (and even
superiority to) their male counterparts, we can conclude that the movement has found its purpose.
Feminists have been variously labeled as furious lesbians or angry gay rights activists. That’s a rather spiteful
way of seeing the movement, but everyone’s entitled to their own opinions just as equally as the next person.
To each his own, that’s my side. No side is the wrong side. Feminists have their right to voice their opinions too.
Taking to the streets to be heard is fine, as long as the natural patterns of our lives do not get unduly disturbed.
Pity the children we leave behind just so we can put our cause forward. Maybe, that’s a feminist way of making
everyone see just how important females are. But what sticks is the fact that children have to suffer just so
their moms can be a part of this or that feminist movement.
Females have a right to be heard, too. We have a right to become leaders and captains of our own fate. But we
already have great rights now. Why push for more and become a larger part of the problems in society? Don’t
we have enough on our plates?
I’m sure many feminists will persist to argue that women still do not have enough. Remember that the line that
divides enough and too much can often be very thin, too imperceptible to make a difference. The land of the
Amazons is in mythology; it doesn’t exist on the streets and in our houses.
This comes from a mother who has had her share of fatherhood for nearly six years. It’s not easy being both a
father and a mother to your kids. There are just too many responsibilities involved. But I have found the
experience truly noble and great. You learn new things everyday, develop capabilities that you wouldn’t have
been aware of if you still had a male partner. But unless this is misconstrued as an encouragement to murder
your spouse, let me stop there. Having a partner will still be an easier way to make most of life’s journey.
Every day, let us ask ourselves as women: what do we really want in life? When we find the answer/s, let us
reflect on whether the partners we have by our side have contributed to the self-fulfillment we all seek. Let us
not forget that we have a right to have self-identity apart from those partners. We can be somebody without
somebody else always propping us up.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1.
Are you able to be the best you can be without a partner? Why or why not?
2.
What makes feminism overly aggressive, in your opinion?
3.
What substantial gains has feminism brought to society at large?
4.
What are other sensible feminist reforms that need to be looked into in society, if any?
How can feminists push for reforms in a more acceptable manner?