This was a question posed to me a few weeks ago about my stance on feminism and my role as a student of a women's college. Well, I do consider myself to have some feminist traits and, in many ways, always have. However, my political and social views greatly changed when I went off to college and this is why.
College is the first time you truly have the autonomy to think and act for yourself. No one tells you what to do or who to be. You simply do not worry about keeping up with others or about what others think of your opinions. During college it is the first time for many, that we have true freedom of thought. You don't have to vote for who your parents vote for. No one is going to care if you like Justin Bieber or hate him. You do not have to buy name brand to fit in. You find your niche. For me, I realized a lot about who I really was versus who I thought I was.
In regard to feminism, I realized that I do have some feminist ideals, but that is not because I go to a women's college. I was raised by my strong independent mom and was always encouraged to think for myself and be able to care for myself. I do think women should be equal to men, and I think that the 'Pink Tax' is almost as ludicrous as Leo just now winning an Oscar, but I am not one to go stand on the steps of the capitol and protest.
However, this has nothing to do with the fact that I go to a women's college. For me, this ideal would be the case no matter which college I went to. It is simply because I am becoming more aware of the gap that exists between men and women due to receiving a higher education. I feel as though it is more prevalent in a women's college because we are all women, so we tend to hone in on the disparities that women face in the world and in the work place. Not all individuals that go to a women's college are feminists, but we have a unique perspective on women's roles in the workplace and in the world. We believe in the empowerment of women and that a group of educated women in a group is the scariest thing you can have...because they get things done. So in essence I am a feminist, but not because I go to a women's college. I did not choose to go to a women's college because I am a feminist. I am a feminist because I want to be, and that's my prerogative. I go to a women's college because where else would I get to wake up everyday and be surrounded by the best support system that not only helps me achieve in my academics, but in every aspect of individual growth. I am proud to go to a women's college and I am proud to be a feminist.
