Feminism is an attack on femininity...

Before I begin, I want to make it clear that I am not talking about the women’s suffrage movement that enabled women to vote and I’m not talking about the push to stop viewing women as possessions. Those are subjects for a different day. I’m talking about the feminism of modern culture.

Feminists see the places in the world where women are disrespected and where the value of women is ignored and they are understandably aggravated. They strive for equality. But what kind of equality? At first glance, it may not seem to matter, but the difference between one kind and another is the difference between destroying femininity and making it the beautiful thing it was meant to be. What began as a defense against quantitative differences in the supposed importance of men and women has quickly shifted to an attack on qualitative differences. Suddenly, anyone who says men and women are designed for different roles is “limiting women” and anyone who thinks of women as the weaker gender is seen as a sexist bigot.

The truth is that men and women are different; not a quantitative difference in value but a qualitative difference that makes femininity the beautiful and unique thing it is. Men have headship in their nature. They were created first. Their bodies typically have a stronger build. In relationships, they are made to reflect Christ's leadership and sacrificial love for the Church. Men have an innate drive to go and do and be, because that was what God had for them from the beginning. Women were created second. Their nature is to come alongside, support, and bring goodness back into desolate places, just as they did in Genesis 2. Women's bodies are typically softer but can take on the pain of childbirth like no man can. In relationships, they are made to reflect Christ's humble submission to the Father. They offer unique perspectives that temper the drive of men and are often more in tune with the heart of things. All men are born of a woman and are therefore reliant on women for life. The first woman was created out of man and therefore all life can be traced back to man. In other words, both men and women enable life and keep it going. Both reflect part of the nature of Christ and fulfill an essential, beautiful, and important role in the story of the world.

The real problem in our society is less that women are devalued and more that the value of women is taken for granted. Contrary to the claims of feminism, women don't have to have stronger personas, more leadership, or better established authority to be equal with men. We already are equal. We simply need to acknowledge and cherish the unique and differing good that women bring to the table.

The humility asked of women takes incredible strength of character. Taking on supportive roles may be draining but is extremely essential to success in many areas. Being a wife and mother takes unmatched love and patience while also reaping special connection with family and honor from God. And these are only a few highlights of the unique good offered by women embracing their femininity. Feminism would have us give up these things in favor of the pursuit of more masculine qualities, but in doing so, we would lose half of the beauty of humanity.

Femininity is beautiful and we must not lose that perspective. It is part of how God created the world and He wants it to continue. We should seek equality between men and women, not by taking on the authoritative qualities of men, but by cherishing the unique value of humble and caring women.

The Blunt (Brace Yourself)

True, biblical femininity is something to strive for and appreciate. It is a part of what makes the world beautiful and dynamic while bringing glory to God. Our world should run after this, rather than running away from it.

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Inspiration

1 Corinthians 11:3,8,11-12