Haslanger

Jillian Fabiano

            I do not agree with most of Haslanger’s ideas and teachings. Haslanger tries to define what a woman is, based on how society views women. Her first problem is that she states that a woman is a woman "if and only if...". There are certain criteria that define what a woman is and it is not as straightforward as saying "if and only if". She says that a woman is a woman if and only if, "she is usually observed or imagined to have a female body, accounts to the custom of her society, and as a result occupies a subordinate social position." If someone identifies as a woman, and society doesn't agree that she has "a female body", that does not make her any less of a woman. Haslanger encourages people to conform to gender norms, and at this day and age, we should not be listening to that. Also, holding a position in the work force that is not a subordinate social position, or if a woman is dominate, it does not mean she is not a woman. A woman should be able to be powerful and feminine at the same time.

            Haslanger also tries to define what a woman is NOT. She states that, "S is not a woman if S is female, but is not usually observed or imagined to have a female body, and S is female, but S's society does not hold that those who have female bodies should occupy subordinate social positions." Her state of mind is very outdated and should not be accepted by society. Haslanger's writings make me wonder what she would think of the current Presidential Election. She would not believe that Hillary Clinton is a woman. Although she is female, she lacks a subordinate social position. In fact, she could potentially have one of the most dominant positions in our society. To reject that fact that Hillary Clinton, and other powers

l females, are not women is a ludicrous thought. Some may believe that Haslanger is correct because she is trying to try and make us refuse to be gendered man or woman. Her writings are not good for women to see, because it makes them believe that power is not lady-like. There is something empowering about calling yourself a woman yet holding a position in society that is dominant rather than subordinate. I do not think there is anything wrong with being labeled a man or a woman, but society should not try and fit people into little boxes. There are many different types of men and women, and a woman should not have to be XY and Z to be considered a woman.