Anti-feminism

Anti-feminism is opposition to feminism in some or all of its forms.[1] Anti-Feminists prefer to follow a more appropriate Biblical representative of women modeled in scripture (Christianity). Many of the Bible verses anti-feminists follow are Ephesians 5:22, Titus 2:3-5,First Timothy 5:14, and Proverbs 14:1 and 31.

## Contents

* 1 Biblical Themes
* 1.1 Ephesians 5:22
* 1.2 Titus 2:3-5
* 1.2.1 Loving their husbands
* 1.2.2 Loving their children
* 1.2.3 Keepers of the home
* 1.2.4 Discreet and Chaste
* 1.3 Proverbs 31
* 1.4 First Timothy 5:14
* 2 Women's Noblest Vocation
* 3 A wise woman
* 4 Anti-feminist views on feminism
* 5 Anti-feminist views on abortion and birth control
* 6 Garments
* 7 Antifeminist organizations
* 8 Anti-feminist websites
* 8.1 LadiesAgainstfeminism.com
* 8.2 BiblicalWomanhoodOnline.com
* 9 Further reading
* 9.1 Literature about antifeminism
* 9.2 Antifeminist literature
* 10 Antifeminist advocates
* 11 See also
* 12 External links
* 13 References

## Biblical Themes[edit]

### Ephesians 5:22[edit]

"22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything."

Many Anti-Feminists believe that wives should submit themselves gracefully to their husbands like it says in Ephesians. The only rare exceptions would be their husband leading the wife into sin.

Feminists scoff at this teaching, claiming that Anti-Feminists are weak or doormats for doing so, but Anti-Feminists believe differently. Anti-Feminists claim that it takes a strong woman to yield to another human being. In return the husband is supposed to love the wife as himself.

Anti-Feminists believe that this is the best way for a marriage to operate. Claiming that someone has to lead the family and someone has to become the helpmeet. Both cannot lead or there will be confusion and much fighting. Anti-Feminists believe that because many women in the Western world have adopted the feminist notion of scoffing at women who submit to their husbands, many marriages are in despair.

### Titus 2:3-5[edit]

3The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Older women in scripture are clearly to teach the younger women of the Christian faith to how to behave and other practical skills/necessities. Titus Two women (a name they like to be called) believe that it is their duty to teach younger women, whether it be random women or their very own daughters, to love their husbands and their children and how to become "keepers of the home."

#### Loving their husbands[edit]

By loving their husbands, they mean how to treat their husbands. Respecting is one of them. By showing their husbands respect, they mean to treat him kindly, not trying to change him, not neglecting him of his physical or emotional needs, encouraging him, praising him for his good deeds, keeping oneself attractive (hair, nails done, nice clothes).

#### Loving their children[edit]

Many Titus Two women know that the second most important part in the marriage after the husband is the children. Most Titus Two women must teach their daughters or "apprentices" how to love children. One of the many ways of doing this is babysitting children. Babysitting is used many times to cultivate patience, controlling the emotions and getting used to children and their habits.

Patience is needed when watching children because children are naturally slower to get used to things.

Controlling the emotions are also necessary for children can many times "push" adults' buttons, so it is necessary to learn how to control those emotions, especially when dealing with children.

Younger women are also taught the habits of children and how to deal with these habits. Everything about children is taught to these young women so that they themselves may be prepared for their own children someday. A variety of things to learn about children is discipline, passing on convictions, how to take care of them physically (cooking, changing diapers), and teaching them spiritually.

#### Keepers of the home[edit]

The last thing that should be taught is homemaking skills. homemaking skills include the following:

Cooking, cleaning, laundry, flower arrangement, sewing, crocheting, stitching, mending, interior decorating, nutrition, basket weaving, calligraphy, painting, scrap booking, first aid, agriculture, horticulture, baking, quilting, organizing and hospitality.

Vintage homemaking would include: Candle making, making butter, and spinning wool.

#### Discreet and Chaste[edit]

Anti-Feminists believe that being discreet and chaste, did not mean that women shouldn't be allowed to talk like many feminists believe, but to act and look like ladies of the Lord.

Discreet means (by their accords) to behave accordingly. In other words, displaying dignity, diligence, patience, respectful, graceful, a meek and quiet spirit, poise, peace, compassion, responsible, hospitable, cheerfulnesses, humility, discretion, self-control, serenity and love.

Chaste means to be modest in clothing, purity in mind, and to display chastity in the body.

Usually homemaking child care and "marriage lessons" begin at ages 2–5.

### Proverbs 31[edit]

10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs chapter thirty-one verse ten explains that a good wife is very hard to find. Anti-Feminists believe that it is especially true for the women of this day because of feminism and how feminists changed society for the worse. Verse eleven says that her husband trusts her so Anti-Feminists believe that they should be trustworthy to their husbands and believe it is because the wife submits to husbands is why the husband trusts his wife. It could also be interpreted to mean that the husband should be able to trust his wife and extend the borders of his estate so acquiring business acumen, accounting skills, and political knowledge would be a wise investment.

Proverbs thirty-one verse twelve specifically states "She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life" Anti-Feminists interpret this verse as women should be doing good for their husbands even if they don't like who he is right now, not after they are married because that isn't what the verse stated. One of the ways that Anti-Feminists believe that they can do their future husbands good right now is acquiring assets (skills) and excellent character to bring into the future marriage.

Anti-Feminists interpret Proverbs thirty-one verse thirteen to twenty-four to mean that the wife is very busy and isn't lazy. So they believe that they too shouldn't be lazy.

The end of Proverbs states that the woman who does this shall be praised by her children and husband. Her works will also be praised at the gate which could mean that the angels, Jesus, GOD will praise her works and good deeds.

### First Timothy 5:14[edit]

14I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

Younger women marry

Younger women are by Anti-Feminist definition supposed to marry young, not only because that is when she is in her prime for attracting mates, but also in bearing children.

Anti-Feminists are against women delaying marriage for unnecessary purposes like career for they believe that is selfish and unwise because sooner or later the woman's biological clock will begin to "tick" and the woman that unwisely delayed marriage will have to cope with infertility. Another problem is when the woman will want children, she will most likely want marriage or the "whole package" to go with but will find it hard to find a mate because of her old age.

Bear children

Anti-Feminists believe that ONE of the primary functions of women is to have children. The first command to men (Adam) and women (Eve) was "Be fruitful and multiply" also known as the "Domination mandate" 28And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. "Be fruitful" Hebrew translation: Parah - to bear fruit to bring forth to increase.

"Multiply" Hebrew translation: Rabah - to increase exceedingly, to be many, to be abundant.

"Replenish Hebrew translation: Male - to fill up the world to over flowing.

Anti-Feminists relish the idea that they are "baby machines" as many feminists scornfully call them and most don't believe that the Earth is being overpopulated stating that the Earth was made for humans and if the world is overpopulating why would GOD tell them not to have children?

Guide the house

Interpreted as homemakers or managers of the home.

## Women's Noblest Vocation[edit]

Many Anti-feminists believe that the most noblest vocation a women can aspire to is to be a helper to her husband, Mistress of a functional home and third to be the trainer of children.

Helpmate to her husband

Women in scripture are commanded to become helpmates to their husbands mainly because man, for all his abilities to lead and conquer cultures, cannot do so without woman's help. In order for a man to lead he needs a helper. Whether a man leads badly or well can depend upon his helper. Women have a huge influence on men which can in turn effect the culture.

The Hebrew word "help" (ezer) [used in 'help meet'] comes from two roots: the first meaning to rescue or save, and the second meaning strong.

Though the wife is devoted to her husband that doesn't make her his slave. The wife is the laborer in the work of the Gospel, equal in essence, although subordinate in function.[2]

Mistress of a functional home

The Apostle Paul rarely gave instruction specifically to young women, but one of the instances that he did so is in Titus 4,5:"...that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."

Trainer of children

Woman's work is the foundation for society, for the state, for the Kingdom of Heaven. In the homes of America are born the children of America. Women are considered very important when it comes to training children because they are mainly the ones that train them while the husband is working to support the family while the mother is supposedly at home.

## A wise woman[edit]

Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

Women (from an anti-feminist viewpoint) have so much power in a marriage. Women are believed to set the tone in the home; if the woman is kind to her husband and does not neglect the home, children or the husband himself, she "builds her house".

If the woman is constantly bringing grief to her husband and neglecting her roles as a wife, she "pulls it (the home) down with her own hands."

The following things are considered "Foolish":

Putting other things before God, children more important than husband, husband neglected, ministry at church (or other things) becomes an idol and first priorities are disregarded, not staying within your budget, downcast countenance, discontentment with the Lord's provisions, listening to lies from the enemy, being enticed by the world (through music, media, magazines, television shows, you name it), focus on self or self pity, not asking husband before taking on new things, not managing our homes well, neglecting to train our children, never being home, gossip and slander, not filtering everything through scripture, coming up with excuses as to why we do the above.[3]

## Anti-feminist views on feminism[edit]

Anti-feminists understand that feminism is a danger to society. It is because of feminism we have we have unrestricted sex, the Pill, abortion on demand, an astronomically increased number of single mothers, teenage mothers and women in their 40s struggling with infertility; we have a fatherless generation who haven't seen a better example; chastity is mocked, women are sexualized and coerced into selling themselves cheap; we have no-fault divorce, and deterioration of family.[4]

## Anti-feminist views on abortion and birth control[edit]

Abortion is seen as a sin against God himself and children are seen as a blessing from the Lord.

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. 5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

Because the Bible has said that children are a blessing, they believe that it is good and to give up or prevent a blessing (birth control) is morally wrong.

Barrenness

Barrenness is considered a curse in the Bible, so not being able to have many children is seen as sorrowful.

## Garments[edit]

Deuteronomy 22:5 - The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.

Because the Bible says that women and men shouldn't wear the same clothing they believe that women should retain to wearing modest skirts and dresses.

## Antifeminist organizations[edit]

As of 2006 the most successful anti-feminist organization in the US is STOP ERA, founded by Phyllis Schlafly in October 1972. Schlafly successfully mobilized thousands of people to block the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment in the USA.[5] It was Schlafly too who forged links between STOP ERA and other conservative organizations, as well as single-issue groups against abortion, pornography, gun control and labor unions. By integrating STOP ERA with the so-called New Right, she was able to leverage a wider range of technological, organizational and political resources, successfully targeting pro-feminist candidates for defeat.[5]

## Anti-feminist websites[edit]

### LadiesAgainstfeminism.com[edit]

There are many websites (and blogs) devoted to theory of anti-feminism. A popular website would be LadiesAgainstFeminism.com [1]. Founded by Mrs. Lydia Sherman and Mrs. Jennie Chancey in 2002 as a way to publish thoughtful, biblical responses to feminism and to encourage other women in their God-given roles.[6] Ladies Against Feminism (or LAF) promotes biblical womanhood, motherhood, modesty, quiverfull and homeschooling. LAF has seventeen categories dedicated to the art of biblical womanhood to choose from.

### BiblicalWomanhoodOnline.com[edit]

Biblical Womanhood launched [2] in 2005 started as a ministry to "encourage and equip women and young women. Through our bookstore, articles, newsletter, and blog, we desire to promote femininity and build up women as they embrace their Biblical callings. In this humanistic, feministic culture, we want to be a breath of fresh air to women seeking after something greater than what the world has to offer"[7]

Her blog covers an array of topics from an anti-feminist perspective, such as, abortion, politics, feminism, biblical womanhood, and more.

## Further reading[edit]

### Literature about antifeminism[edit]

* Redefining the New Woman, 1920-1963 (Antifeminism in America: A Collection of Readings from the Literature of the Opponents to U.S. Feminism, 1848 to the Present), Howard-Zophy
* Un-American Womanhood: Antiradicalism, Antifeminism, and the First Red Scare, Kim E. Nielsen
* Andrea Dworkin, Right-Wing Women: The Politics of Domesticated Females (1983; ISBN 0-399-50671-3).
* Susan Faludi, Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women (1992; ISBN 0-385-42507-4)
* Cynthia D. Kinnard, Antifeminism in American Thought: An Annotated Bibliography (Boston: G. K. Hall & Co., 1986, ISBN 0-8161-8122-5)
* Jane J. Mansbridge: Why We Lost the ERA, Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1986
* G. Swanson, Antifeminism in America: A Historical Reader (2000) ISBN 0-8153-3437-0

### Antifeminist literature[edit]

* Helen Andelin, Fascinating Womanhood (2007) ISBN 0553384279
* Alan J. Barron, The Death of Eve: Women, Liberation, Disintegration (1986) ISBN 0949667366
* Alan Carlson, The Family in America: Searching for Social Harmony in the Industrial Age (2003) ISBN 0765805367
* Alan Carlson, Family Questions: Reflections on the American Social Crisis (1991) ISBN 1560005556
* Gilbert K. Chesterton, Brave New Family (1990; essay collection) ISBN 089870314X
* Thomas Fleming, The Politics of Human Nature (1988) ISBN 1-56000-693-5
* Maggie Gallagher, The Abolition of Marriage: How We Destroy Lasting Love (1996) ISBN 0895264641
* George Gilder, Men and Marriage (1992) ISBN 0882894447
* Steven Goldberg, Why Men Rule: A Theory of Male Dominance (1993; originally published 1971) ISBN 0812692373
* Steven Goldberg, The Inevitability of Patriarchy (1977) ISBN 0812692373
* F. Carolyn Graglia, Domestic Tranquility: A Brief Against Feminism (1998) ISBN 0965320863
* Mary A. Kassian, The Feminist Mistake (2005) ISBN 1581345704
* Linda Kelly, Disabusing the Definition of Domestic Abuse: How Women Batter Men and the Role of the Feminist State (2003)
* Myron Magnet, Modern Sex: Liberation and Its Discontents (2001) ISBN 1566633842
* Paul Nathanson and Katherine Young Spreading Misandry: The Teaching of Contempt for Men in Popular Culture (2001) ISBN 0773522727
* Paul Nathanson and Katherine Young, Legalizing Misandry: From Public Shame to Systemic Discrimination Against Men (2006) ISBN 0773528628
* John Piper and Wayne A. Grudem, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (1991) ISBN 0891075860
* Mary Pride, The Way Home: Beyond Feminism, Back to Reality (1985) ISBN 0891073450
* Phyllis Schlafly, The Power of the Positive Woman (1977) ISBN 0-87000-373-9
* Phyllis Schlafly, Feminist Fantasies (2003) ISBN 1890626465
* Howard Schwartz, The Revolt of the Primitive: An Inquiry into the Roots of Political Correctness (2003) ISBN 0765805375
* Lionel Tiger, The Decline of Males (2000) ISBN 0312263112
* Esther Vilar, The Manipulated Man (1972) ISBN 0953096424
* Danielle Crittenden, What Our Mothers Didn't Tell Us (2000) ISBN 0-684-85959-9
* Midge Decter, The New Chastity and Other Arguments Against Women's Liberation (1974) ISBN 0-399-50307-2
* Thomas Ellis, The Rantings of a Single Male (2005) ISBN 0-9762613-1-6
* Thomas Fleming, The Politics of Human Nature (1988) ISBN 1-56000-693-5
* Elizabeth Fox-Genovese, Feminism is Not the Story of My Life (1996) ISBN 0-385-46790-7
* George Gilder, Men and Marriage (1992) ISBN 0-88289-444-7
* F. Carolyn Graglia, Domestic Tranquility: A Brief Against Feminism (1998) ISBN 0-9653208-6-3
* Richard T. Hise, The War Against Men (2004) ISBN 1-930859-61-9
* Domestic Violence: The 12 Things You Aren't Supposed to Know; Thomas P. James, Aventine Press, 2003, ISBN 1-59330-122-7
* Gertrude Himmelfarb, The De-moralization Of Society (1996) ISBN 0-679-76490-9
* Christina Hoff-Sommers, The War Against Boys: How Misguided Feminism is Harming Our Young Men (2001) ISBN 0-684-84957-7
* Christina Hoff-Sommers, Who Stole Feminism? (1995) ISBN 0-684-80156-6
* Mary A. Kassian, The Feminist Mistake (2005) ISBN 1-58134-570-4
* Linda Kelly, Disabusing the Definition of Domestic Abuse: How Women Batter Men and the Role of the Feminist State (2003)
* The Female Thing: Dirt, Sex, Envy, Vulnerability, Laura Kipnis, 2006
* The Lipstick Proviso: Women, Sex & Power in the Real World; Karen Lehrman, 1997, ISBN 0-385-47481-4
* Myron Magnet, Modern Sex: Liberation and Its Discontents (2001) ISBN 1-56663-384-2
* Harvey C. Mansfield, Manliness (2006) ISBN 0-300-10664-5
* Diane Medved and Dan Quayle, The American Family: Discovering the Values That Make Us Strong (1997) ISBN 0-06-092810-7
* Paul Nathanson and Katherine Young, Legalizing Misandry: From Public Shame to Systemic Discrimination Against Men (2006) ISBN 0-7735-2862-8
* Paul Nathanson and Katherine Young Spreading Misandry: The Teaching of Contempt for Men in Popular Culture (2001) ISBN 0-7735-2272-7
* Kate O'Beirne, Women Who Make the World Worse (2005) ISBN 1-59523-009-2
* John Piper and Wayne A. Grudem, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (1991) ISBN 0-89107-586-0
* Professing Feminism: Cautionary Tales from the Strange World of Women's Studies; Daphne Patai and Noreta Koertge, 1995, ISBN 0-465-09827-4
* Erin Pizzey, Prone to Violence (Hamlyn, 1982; ISBN 0-600-20551-7)
* Mary Pride, The Way Home: Beyond Feminism, Back to Reality (1985) ISBN 0-89107-345-0
* Phyllis Schlafly, Feminist Fantasies (2003) ISBN 1-890626-46-5
* Howard Schwartz, The Revolt of the Primitive: An Inquiry into the Roots of Political Correctness (2003) ISBN 0-7658-0537-5
* Philip Gordon Wylie, A Generation of Vipers (1942) ISBN 1-56478-146-1

## Antifeminist advocates[edit]

* Erica Catrina D'Alessandro
* Helen Andelin
* Ernest Belfort Bax
* Ann Coulter
* Caitlin Flanagan
* George Gilder
* Jim Goad
* Henry Makow
* Adam Norton
* Mary Pride
* Phyllis Schlafly
* Dave Sim
* Mary Augusta Ward
* Otto Weininger
* Philip Gordon Wylie
* Jennie Chancey [8]
* Stacy McDonald [9]
* R.C. Sproul [10]

## See also[edit]

* Feminism
* Anti-suffrage
* Masculism
* Men's Rights
* Feminazi
* Misogyny
* Patriarchy

## External links[edit]

* How Not to Criticize Feminist Epistemology, by Elizabeth Anderson, review of "Scrutinizing Feminist Epistemology" concluding "[it is a] failure by its own evaluative standards of civility and avoiding gross error, tribalism, cynicism, and political correctness."
* Ladies Against Feminism
* "Tangent" by Dave Sim
* Biblical Womanhood
* The Posthumous Papers of the Late Adlyn Morrison
* The Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

## References[edit]

1. ↑ "Anti-feminist." The Oxford English Dictionary. 2nd ed. 1989
2. ↑ so much more
3. ↑ http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2007/05/foolish-woman.html
4. ↑ values.http://ccostello.blogspot.com/2007/05/feminism-vs-womens-rights.html
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Tierney, Helen (1999). Women's Studies Encyclopedia. Westport, CT, USA: Greenwood Publishing Group, Incorporated, 95.
6. ↑ http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/artman/publish/About_LAF_12/About_LAF_51005.shtml
7. ↑ http://www.biblicalwomanhoodonline.com/
8. ↑ http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com
9. ↑ http://www.yoursacredcalling.blogspot.com
10. ↑ http://www.ligonier.org/