Book Review: How to be a Woman

I just finished reading How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran.  It’s a book on being a woman and feminism, and it’s hilarious. I literally LOL’d while reading it. The book delves into body image, women in pornography, periods, pubes, marriage, children, and abortion. I have to say I found this a very enjoyable book for people wanting to explore feminism.

On being (becoming) a woman

While reading the book I explored my own thoughts of how I became a woman and when that moment happened. I remember when I got my first period my mom basically said “well you’re a woman now.” I didn’t feel like a woman in my LA gears. I mean I still held an extreme fascination to mermaids (I’m not gonna lie, I still like mermaids).  So when did it happen? When I think of being a woman I think of someone with wisdom and knowledge. My mom is a woman,  Hilary Clinton is a woman, Oprah is a woman. Me, I still at times feel like I’m sneaking around in my mom’s high heel shoes.  Becoming a woman is more of a transformative life long journey.

On Plastic Surgery

Moran had some pretty strong words against plastic surgery and was at times very critical about it. This is one point I’m going to have to disagree with her on. I’m all for plastic surgery, and frankly when I’m done having kids I won’t be opposed to a little nip/tuck where I feel like I’ll need it. She discusses it as a reaction of fear, but for me personally I just want my boobs to be back where they were when I’m done rearing my kids. I’m not afraid, I’m just a little vain.

On feminism

 I am a feminist. I..am..a feminist. I actually have been trying to get used to saying “I am a feminist” for a while because of the negative connotations that come associated with being a feminist. Let me tell you what a feminist isn’t: 

1)      Bra Burners

Do you have any idea, any idea how expensive a bra is? If you’re a woman you know and you know you would never ever burn one, let alone a decent one. Moran discusses in length about how bras are our friends (at least a good bra that doesn't cut into your rib cage)

"The relief of taking off a bad bra is immeasurable. It is also the measure of your friendships. If you would feel comfortable going round to someone’s house at the end of a long day, and saying, “I’m just going to take my bra off,” you know you are intimate friends. Of course, on occasion bad bra removal has to happen in a more urgent location. I have seen women taking bras off in cabs on their way back from clubs; women taking bras off in cabs that are still outside clubs. I once saw it happen at a bus stop, outside a bar on Camden High Street. So to any idiot who says, “You a feminist? Do you burn your bras, then, huh? HUH? You burn your bras, you feminist?” you must reply, calmly, “Fool. FOOL. Bra is my friend. My bosomest buddy. Except for that balcony-cup Janet Reger one that cut off the circulation to my head. Yeah. That one. I covered that one in petrol and torched it outside the American Embassy" -Caitlin Moran, How to Be a Woman

                                                  

2)      Man Haters

Feminist don’t hate men, they hate misogyny (which women can be just as guilty in perpetuating) and patriarchy that often oppresses women.  Feminist hate it when guys like Paul Ryan tries to define rape, or when men in congress try to tell us what to do.  Moran states that if you 1) have a vagina 2) want to be in control of said vagina then you’re a feminist.

Feminism isn’t about hating another gender because that doesn’t do us or anyone any good. Hate does no one good. Feminism is about being offered choices as women. There was a time where women were just expected to stay home with the kids with no other options. Feminism has allowed us to branch out from that if we want. We can stay at home, we can work, and this is awesome my lady friends!

Feminism is simply about fairness and choice. I am a Feminist. 

On the Book:

Overall I enjoyed the hell out of this book, it was my brand of feminism I can get fully behind. Its the kind of book you want to read during this 3rd wave of feminism we're seeing. Go out and read this book, I'm looking at you too guys. 

“I’m neither ‘pro-women’ nor ‘anti-men’. I’m just ‘Thumbs up for the six billion”- Caitlin Moran