A common question among women who strive to become feminist is; does one have to be a lesbian to be a feminist? This is the question that Marilyn Frye seeks to answer in her essay “Willful Virgin or Do you have to be a lesbian to be a Feminist." In this essay, I will argue why I believe Frye's theory is plausible and important to the feminist movement. However, I will raise an objection that I do find to be problematic in her paper. Nonetheless, Frye's theory should still not be rejected due to that one flaw. I will first explain her theory in detail, and follow with my analysis and conclusion.
Marilyn Frye defines a feminist as anyone who actively participates in dismantling the institution of patriarchy and challenges feminine norms. This …show more content…
Often time philosophers make claims but do not provide a way of achieving it. However, Frye provided a way for women to be able to be a radical feminist. Her theory is well thought through, and as a heterosexual woman, her writing made me examine some of my actions. In today's society, I hear many women state that they are wearing makeup and getting plastic surgery for themselves and not to appease men, but is that even possible? As Frye explains secondary sites of reduction just further the subordination of women (Frye, 130). Many who read Frye, harp on that section a lot to object to, but in her defense if a valid assessment is taken these things do further our subordination. For example, a woman who gets a breast augmentation, though she claims that she has done it for herself to boost her self-esteem that statement alone proves problematic. Her self-esteem is more than likely low since she does not meet society's patriarchal standard of beauty. Which brings us back to her surgery in fact, not being for herself, but rather to help her better assimilate into society without feeling ridiculed. If you read Frye through that lens, you realize that she is not too harsh in her statements to stop these actions and that this is not the objection that one should truly
Marilyn Frye defines a feminist as anyone who actively participates in dismantling the institution of patriarchy and challenges feminine norms. This …show more content…
Often time philosophers make claims but do not provide a way of achieving it. However, Frye provided a way for women to be able to be a radical feminist. Her theory is well thought through, and as a heterosexual woman, her writing made me examine some of my actions. In today's society, I hear many women state that they are wearing makeup and getting plastic surgery for themselves and not to appease men, but is that even possible? As Frye explains secondary sites of reduction just further the subordination of women (Frye, 130). Many who read Frye, harp on that section a lot to object to, but in her defense if a valid assessment is taken these things do further our subordination. For example, a woman who gets a breast augmentation, though she claims that she has done it for herself to boost her self-esteem that statement alone proves problematic. Her self-esteem is more than likely low since she does not meet society's patriarchal standard of beauty. Which brings us back to her surgery in fact, not being for herself, but rather to help her better assimilate into society without feeling ridiculed. If you read Frye through that lens, you realize that she is not too harsh in her statements to stop these actions and that this is not the objection that one should truly