In Defense of Femininity: Commentary on Sandra Bartky's Femininity and Domination

According to Bartky, “To be a feminist, one has first to become one,” and to become a feminist, one has to overcome femininity. Although I agree with Bartky's critique of femininity, I argue that feminist consciousness has to involve a contradictory attitude toward femininity—not just a critique, but also an appreciation of the Utopian values it harbors.