Have You Ever Felt Personally Victimized By Gloria Steinem? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Have You Ever Felt Personally Victimized By Gloria Steinem?

Gloria Steinem portrays young women voters as boy-crazed or followers.

46
Have You Ever Felt Personally Victimized By Gloria Steinem?
Kimberly Maynard

Media has been blowing up with offense upon some woman who has in some way or form stated that young female supporters of Bernie Sanders are doing so for the boys. So what exactly happened?

On "Real Time with Bill Baher," Maher asked Steinem, "They (young women) really don't like Hillary. What do you think that's about?" and even narrowed the focus down to how younger women were more for Bernie Sanders, in specifically America. The media has taken it upon themselves to highlighted one specific part of Steinem’s response which is how she said, "When you're young, you're thinking: 'Where are the boys?' The boys are with Bernie."

With the Internet plastered with information highlighting Steinem’s interview and her statement that suggests that young women's political loyalties lie with men, almost any young woman who is politically active would be offended. There is just an overwhelming scream from politically active women who are offended that anyone would suggest and believe that women would promote a presidential candidate on the basis of attracting men. It is something that not only Bernie supporters should be offended by, but all young female voters who have been portrayed as shallow individuals who chase boys and look for their approval.

So some might be wondering who Gloria Steinem is, and why a woman would say such things about other women? After further research into who Steinem is, one would come across that she is a trailblazer for the feminist movement, since the late 1960s. One of her famous quotes is that, “A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle.” Steinem has used her words and acted in such a way that suggests that she believes that a woman does not need a man to function in society, and she is practically a walking ideology of being “An independent woman who don’t need no man.” Earlier in the same interview as the controversial response, Steinem compliments the young women of today when she said, "I find that young women are very, very activist, and they're way, way more feminist than we were. I mean we were like 12 crazy ladies in the beginning and now they're the majority."

She has been a leader for the feminist movement since its rise, yet she is saying that young women base their votes on where they can meet men. Is this really what she said, and why would a feminist bash other women active in politics? With a lack of interviewing Steinem herself, I cannot speak on her part, but I can share what other media sources have suggested.

The New York Times have lumped together Gloria Steinem and Madeleine Albright together in Alan Rappeport's article, "Gloria Steinem and Madeleine Albright Rebuke Young Women Backing Bernie Sanders." Albright recently said, "There's a special place in hell for women who don't help each other!" when addressing women who are not voting for Hillary Clinton. The use of religion and damnation sounds more out of the right wing's playbook rather than a supporter of the democratic party, and another inspiring woman portraying women in a negative light is quite upsetting. Comparing Steinem and Albright has just intensified the negative connotation of Steinem's response.

While Cosmopolitan writer Jill Flipovic has taken a different outlook on the matter through her article, "Why Everyone's Wrong About Gloria Steinem's Controversial Comment." In said piece she comes to Steinem's defense claiming that the message was interpreted incorrectly. Flipovic asserts that the real message is that following the boys is more or less falling what is cool, such ideology takes away the shallowness of chasing boys, but still suggests that young women are followers. Further into the article Flipovic goes on to state, "...'guy stuff' is cool and enviable, whereas 'girl stuff' is lame, uncool, and, well, girly. In this primary, Sanders is the guy stuff. Clinton is the girl stuff." I think this addition to the argument is less than endearing and has taken away from the defense of Steinem.

There are various ways to look upon what Steinem has said, but ultimately people should not diminish Gloria Steinem on the basis of what she has said about young voting women. Whether her intentions were so, or her words were misinterpreted, Steinem and women alike have had an undeniable impact on the world and have made enormous steps for the feminist movement.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
legally blonde

College is filled with many things, and we're so often lectured to make the right decisions as we head out on our own into the college life. But sometimes it's necessary to indulge in some guilty pleasures as well as just doing things because you can. And honestly, a lot of the time it's inevitable. College is no piece of cake that's for sure, so it's okay to do some things you deep down know you shouldn't....once in a while anyways.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Things to avoid your freshman year of college

Having this list as you enter college will be extremely valuable and beneficial to experiencing the best year of your life!

1641
girl friends
Madison Morgan

Ahhh good ol' freshman year. The best times and the worst times. Going to college six hours from home was the best decision I had ever made for myself, but the transition would have been much smoother had I known the things I know now. You cannot take on this beast by yourself, so allow me to lend a hand and guide you through one of the most exciting and different years of your life thus far. I have compiled a list of 10 key things to avoid your freshman year of college in order to ensure a smooth, happy, and fun first year!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

13 Thoughts Everyone Has During Lecture

Chances are, they have nothing to do with what you're actually supposed to be learning.

191
student in class
Polish Magazine

Let's face it. We've all had those days when it's almost impossible to stay awake or focus during lecture. We often find ourselves dozing off or just staring out into space when we really should be paying attention to what's going on in class. Regardless of whether or not you admit this happens, here are 13 thoughts every student has during lecture:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

A Deep Dive Into Taylor Swift’s Albums: 1989 (Taylor’s Version) Edition

I just know that the idea of releasing vault tracks came out of the moment Taylor remembered she wrote 'Is It Over Now?'

271
A Deep Dive Into Taylor Swift’s Albums: 1989 (Taylor’s Version) Edition
Edited by Hailey Hastings

I am fully emersed into diving deep into every single Taylor Swift album, which I do on my own all the time, but wanted to do it in a way where I am sharing what a special discography she has. I feel like 1989 is the perfect place to start, it's an era that changed everything, and will always be an album people automatically think of when you say "Taylor Swift."

Keep Reading...Show less
friends

Here you will find a list of many of the people you will come across in your life, and if you're lucky, you'll be able to give a name to all these characters that you hopefully see day to day. Don't take these friends for granted because they all add a little something to your life, and if you can't name all of them to your personal friends, chances are it might be you...

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments