Comments on: Is the rise of atheism and feminism destroying the “traditional family?” http://de-conversion.com/2007/04/06/is-the-rise-of-atheism-and-feminism-destroying-the-traditional-family/ Resources for skeptical, de-converting, or former Christians...... Wed, 22 May 2013 05:51:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: vera meyer http://de-conversion.com/2007/04/06/is-the-rise-of-atheism-and-feminism-destroying-the-traditional-family/#comment-34656 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:53:09 +0000 http://agnosticatheism.wordpress.com/2007/04/06/is-the-rise-of-atheism-and-feminism-destroying-the-traditional-family/#comment-34656 It seems to me that although traditional feminism may be dead, a new and more reasonable form may now have the opportunity to thrive in these interesting times. Here are the basic tenets of Libertarian Feminism, to which I personally subscribe.

encourage women to become economically self-sufficient and psychologically independent;

publicize and promote realistic attitudes toward female competence, achievement, and potential;

oppose the abridgment of individual rights by any government on account of sex;

work toward changing sexist attitudes and behavior exhibited by individuals;

provide a libertarian alternative to those aspects of the women’s movement that foster dependence and collectivism.

For more information, see the posted link.

]]> By: Vivian http://de-conversion.com/2007/04/06/is-the-rise-of-atheism-and-feminism-destroying-the-traditional-family/#comment-32495 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:13:00 +0000 http://agnosticatheism.wordpress.com/2007/04/06/is-the-rise-of-atheism-and-feminism-destroying-the-traditional-family/#comment-32495 Excellent post Stellar! Yes, I myself also think feminism, in its definition, is incompatible with theism (ie, Christianity/Islam). Thus one would presume all feminists to also be atheists, since these monotheistic religions are inherently sexist and patriarchal.

P.S. I also think the very term “feminism” should be rendered obsolete; as anyone who fights for/believes in gender equality IS a feminist. Hence, who ISN’T a feminist then?

]]> By: hazel8500 http://de-conversion.com/2007/04/06/is-the-rise-of-atheism-and-feminism-destroying-the-traditional-family/#comment-315 Sat, 07 Apr 2007 21:39:15 +0000 http://agnosticatheism.wordpress.com/2007/04/06/is-the-rise-of-atheism-and-feminism-destroying-the-traditional-family/#comment-315 Nicely stated!

]]> By: Austin Cline http://de-conversion.com/2007/04/06/is-the-rise-of-atheism-and-feminism-destroying-the-traditional-family/#comment-301 Fri, 06 Apr 2007 14:46:09 +0000 http://agnosticatheism.wordpress.com/2007/04/06/is-the-rise-of-atheism-and-feminism-destroying-the-traditional-family/#comment-301 Oh, the *patriarchal system* where men are in charge of families is certainly thousands of years old. But “the family” was much more than just the wife and kiddies. It could include a very extended set of relatives and even servants, slaves, etc. Moreover, the wife was often working very hard, too. She didn’t have an independent career, but she wasn’t sitting at home, either. In fact, men and women chose mates (or their families did for them) based on whether they seemed like they would be good workers and thus help ensure survival.

I wasn’t disagreeing that the “patriarchal system” has changed, merely that the narrow definition of “family” which so many insist on calling “traditional” is very old.

In fact, what many regard as the normal pattern of families only existed for a brief time during the 50s and 60s. It took a little over a hundred years to build up to that point, but it wasn’t very stable and didn’t take long to begin falling apart.

]]> By: stellar1 http://de-conversion.com/2007/04/06/is-the-rise-of-atheism-and-feminism-destroying-the-traditional-family/#comment-300 Fri, 06 Apr 2007 14:24:26 +0000 http://agnosticatheism.wordpress.com/2007/04/06/is-the-rise-of-atheism-and-feminism-destroying-the-traditional-family/#comment-300 Austin,

You have given me something to think about and I will take a look at your links. However, I still maintain that the patriarchal system – established by the Bible and the Koran – mandating the man as the head of the family and the wife being merely his subject, began thousands of years ago.

Certainly through the Dark Ages, the Middle Ages, and in fact until just a decade or so ago, men have been the rulers of the family. It is this concept that I take to task in my definition of a “traditional family.” It is quite obvious that men are no longer the assumed head of every home. It is becoming more and more common to see both men and women working together to lead the family.

]]> By: Austin Cline http://de-conversion.com/2007/04/06/is-the-rise-of-atheism-and-feminism-destroying-the-traditional-family/#comment-297 Fri, 06 Apr 2007 13:02:36 +0000 http://agnosticatheism.wordpress.com/2007/04/06/is-the-rise-of-atheism-and-feminism-destroying-the-traditional-family/#comment-297 “The industrial age, with its long working hours, certainly did not help the traditional family. In fact, this era seems to be the beginning of the end for the concept of a working father with a housewife and good little kiddies at home.”

Actually, I believe that this notion of a “traditional family” just being the husband, wife, and kids started at the time of the industrial age. Before that, broad extended families tended to live under one roof.

I recommend these books on the subject of so-called “traditional” marriage:

http://atheism.about.com/od/bookreviews/fr/WhatMarriageFor.htm
http://atheism.about.com/od/bookreviews/fr/MarriageHistory.htm
http://atheism.about.com/od/bookreviews/fr/PublicVows.htm

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