Defending a Discipline

Being a Women's Studies student is hard work - not just because the content can be challenging, but because of the resistance the discipline faces from other disciplines. Let me explain.

Very often, when I disclose that I am a Women's Studies minor, I often encounter raised-eyebrows and questioning looks. Sometimes, I face a clear disapproval of my choice of study. Women's Studies is not considered a valid, relevant discipline. The most common criticisms of the field are that if WMST claims to be fighting for equality, then why is it called what it is? And then comes the question we have all endlessly sighed over: Why isn't there a 'Men's Studies'? There is a 'Men's Studies'. It's called HIStory. And practically every single other discipline that mostly talks all about accomplishments of men (usually rich white men) in the field.

It is true that Women's Studies rose out of an era of feminism when it was a revolutionary idea... the idea that women - and men - would be studying about the accomplishments of other women. And perhaps it is also true that 'Women's' studies are not as relevant anymore when society claims that equality has been attained. But I ask you to truly look at our society, introspect a little, and see if it is possible to make the claim that we live in an equal society. Granted, that situations in different parts of the world vary - the West perhaps does not have such blatant inequality, though I have always wondered if it is better for activists to be confronted with, and thus to work towards eradicating blatant injustices, rather than subtle ones.

But back to my point about inequality. Yes, I dare to claim that women are not equal in our, nor any society in the world. If women were equal, some men would not be able to rape women, and get away with it. If women were equal, rape would not be used as a weapon of war. If women were equal, almost every single profane word in the English language would not be an insult directed towards women. If women were equal, some men would not beat their wives.

So. There is need for Women's Studies. Or if not Women's Studies, then at least the study of gender, and people who are marginalized. I can accept evolution of the discipline, but I cannot, and will not accept total eradication.