In face of protestors, Schlafly stands firm
Woman in the news
Sam Guzik
Issue date: 5/5/08 Section: @Press
"These are basic civil rights that she doesn't agree with. Why would we offer her a degree? It makes no sense and it's insulting," Mary Ann Dzuback, director of the Women and Gender Studies program, said. "She wouldn't have the voice that she has now if the world was constructed according to Phyllis Schlafly's design."
Most recently, in 2007, Schlafly came under fire for her comments about marital rape-specifically that it was not possible because marriage is a consent to sex.
"It is completely ludicrous that because I have said 'I want to marry you' that means 'I want to have sex with you whenever you want,'" Lauren Weiss, a Women and Gender Studies major, said. "No one gives up their autonomy when they get married. Why would feminism say, 'We want you to have autonomy, but only until you get married.'"
Schlafly has stood by the statements which she made and the way in which they were portrayed in the media at the time, continuing to argue that marital rape is a construction by feminists.
Despite being a magnet for debate on all women's rights issues, Schlafly pays no mind to the protests that have surrounded her in the last 40 years nationwide and in the last week at the University.
"When I went to Washington U. I worked my way through college firing and testing 30- and 50-caliber ammunition and all I've got to say about students today is that I think they have too much extra time," Schlafly said. "I don't know what college students do with all your extra time, but I guess one of them is go out and protest, while somebody else is paying their fee."
One of the points on which Schlafly clashes with her opponents regards the role of women in society as it relates to the choice of pursuing a career or working exclusively within the home to raise children and care for a family.
"It's her choice and she's welcome to it, but she shouldn't put other people into that position. That was the purpose of the feminist movement, to provide women with options beyond domesticity." Dzuback said. "To suggest that women give up any kind of public or private work life is no longer a fair expectation [because of economic constraints]."
Most recently, in 2007, Schlafly came under fire for her comments about marital rape-specifically that it was not possible because marriage is a consent to sex.
"It is completely ludicrous that because I have said 'I want to marry you' that means 'I want to have sex with you whenever you want,'" Lauren Weiss, a Women and Gender Studies major, said. "No one gives up their autonomy when they get married. Why would feminism say, 'We want you to have autonomy, but only until you get married.'"
Schlafly has stood by the statements which she made and the way in which they were portrayed in the media at the time, continuing to argue that marital rape is a construction by feminists.
Despite being a magnet for debate on all women's rights issues, Schlafly pays no mind to the protests that have surrounded her in the last 40 years nationwide and in the last week at the University.
"When I went to Washington U. I worked my way through college firing and testing 30- and 50-caliber ammunition and all I've got to say about students today is that I think they have too much extra time," Schlafly said. "I don't know what college students do with all your extra time, but I guess one of them is go out and protest, while somebody else is paying their fee."
One of the points on which Schlafly clashes with her opponents regards the role of women in society as it relates to the choice of pursuing a career or working exclusively within the home to raise children and care for a family.
"It's her choice and she's welcome to it, but she shouldn't put other people into that position. That was the purpose of the feminist movement, to provide women with options beyond domesticity." Dzuback said. "To suggest that women give up any kind of public or private work life is no longer a fair expectation [because of economic constraints]."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 25
MsfStl
posted 5/08/08 @ 11:25 AM CST
I'm curious, how much money has 'her' family donated to Wash U.? I think the university is just playing to the money. In my opinion, her positions are unrealistic for most of today's women, unless they live in a family of extreme wealth. (Continued…)
Margaret Stokely
posted 5/08/08 @ 11:38 AM CST
She did not grow up in extreme wealth at all.
Her father was unemployed during the Depression and her mother supported the family. She had to work her way through her undergrad years at Wash U, from which she graduated at age 19!
I daresay her 'protesters' probably never even had to work at all and come from wealthy families. (Continued…)
Jon
posted 5/08/08 @ 12:22 PM CST
SURVEY SHOWS: 76% of respondents think people who disagree with them deserve their careers suppressed and recognitions due them withheld.
Next step: Your first boss is a conservative. (Continued…)
CL
posted 5/08/08 @ 12:58 PM CST
Wash U prides itself on being "open-minded" when what it really means is that it's extremely liberal. I won't say that I agree with every statement this woman has ever made, but it seems that one of her biggest "faults" is being too conservative. (Continued…)
Bill Borek
posted 5/08/08 @ 4:55 PM CST
I am not familiar with Ms. Schlafly, and know only of her what I have read in Student Life. Setting aside a few of the more lightning rod subjects such as "marriage rape" it seems to me that she may well be very much a feminist in every positive sense of the word. (Continued…)
don tracy
posted 5/09/08 @ 5:28 PM CST
She opposes the teaching of evolution and a center of learning is offering her an honorary degree?!
Margaret Stokely
posted 5/09/08 @ 9:55 PM CST
"Ms. Stokley is from a prominent family fixated on aristocratic geneological connections to such notables as George Washington. Attitudinally she is not far removed from the elitism of Ms. (Continued…)
Stephen
posted 5/10/08 @ 2:03 AM CST
Need you say more don? I mean seriously, only those who haven't evolved enough would believe that something other than random chance led to the discussion we are currently having. (Continued…)
David
posted 5/13/08 @ 2:49 PM CST
Ms. Schlafly is against the teaching of evolution, did her best to kill the ERA for women and is famous for several other notable purely ideological dead-end achievements. (Continued…)
SuzieQ
posted 5/13/08 @ 6:02 PM CST
David Perhaps you will read original sources instead of agitprop spin. You might come to another conclusion.
If I read what Mrs. Scvhlafly's opponents have to say, I might feel just as you do. (Continued…)
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