The Reading of Women’s Lives written by April Lidinsky is considered to be the complex study of the global female issues such as feminism and homophobia through the introduction of the concept of power and fear. The author raised the problem of women’s empowerment and men’s threat of status quo maintenance. April Lidinsky tried to explain the most important problems concerning the place and position of the woman in the society through the number of articles related to the topic.
Lidinsky introduced the homophobia problems in one of her articles “Homophobia: A Weapon of Sexism” which disclosed the understanding of the concept of a woman.
“Homophobia as an effective test for sexism tends to be used…” (Lidinsky, 56)
The author connected the notion of sexism with the heterosexism. She argued that the understanding of the heterosexism by people is observed from early childhood of their development. The major issue raised in this article relates the connections between sexism and homophobia.
The article “Becoming a Gendered Body” continued the discussion of the homosexual issues in the society. According to the author the only aspect that really denies the power of the women is considered to be lesbian baiting. The fact is that sometimes people cannot find the necessary functions and values in the other gender. Very often the fear of being labeled gives an opportunity for the males to take control over the women.
“The introduction of the women’s rights is not compulsory accepted as the feminism…” (Lidinsky, p. 74)
The author stressed the importance of sex identity for the individuals. This fact is closely connected with the promotion of lesbian and gay ideas in the society which cannot find identity of their sex. The homophobia elimination cannot be compassioned, tolerated, accepted or understood. The author stated that this problem can be overcome with the help of the family model behavior providing healthy facilities.
“Fear of Feminism” is devoted to the differences between gender and feminist consciousness. The author tried to show the two sides of the gender consciousness, such as women’s vulnerability and differences. She stated that lack of these issues understanding results in fear and violence in men.
“…thus, the promotion of anti-feminist ideas results in women’s violation…” (Lidinsky, p. 113)
The existence of non-feminist and anti-feminist ideas can be the result of feminism awareness which differ depending on the culture peculiarities and social values. Fear of feminism is more about the politics rather than gender. The author proves that everything is influenced by the political system.
One more article related to the topic of women’s study is “Men in Feminist Struggle”. This article discloses the role of the male in the feminist position highlighting the fact that feminism provides too much power for the women giving them an opportunity to control and manage the views of the society.
Thus, that analysis of the book The Reading of Women’s Lives proves that economic and social rights should be equal for men and women. She supports the opinion that feminists should always confront homophobia leading to labeling. Feminists are to have rights of choice concerning their self identity which should be supported by any political arena.
References
Lidinsky, April. The Reading of Women’s Lives. Pearson Custom Publishing, 2000.