Overview
Undressing Feminism is an eminently readable work in which Klein argues that today's feminism is one of the leading causes of social and legal problems in contemporary American culture. Undressing Feminism traces the fight for equality for women from the 1700s until today and then makes dire predictions for feminism's future. Klein weaves an historical accounting of some of the most outrageous and interesting claims of "equality" made throughout the centuries. Although entirely committed to the spirit of first generation feminists, Klein shows that contemporary feminism(s), once "disrobed" from its rhetorical garb of equality with men, is laid bare as having a single-minded political agenda - the achievement of privilege over men. This goal, it is argued, is blatantly inconsistent with any reasonable notion of equality, and creates an insidious sexism apparent in the behavior of feminists themselves. In the final analysis, Klein urges readers to abandon feminism, in all its contemporary guises, in order to embrace a productive and healthy account of justice, merit, and overall human excellence.
Synopsis
Undressing Feminism is an indispensable, reliable and entertaining
history of the three main waves of the American feminist movement. Ellen
Klein shows why the third and most radical wave has alienated a majority
of American women who are now, understandably, reluctant to call
themselves feminists...Christina Hoff Sommers, Resident Scholar,
American Enterprise Institute, author of Who Stole Feminism and The War
Against Boys
Undressing Feminism is an eminently readable work in which Klein argues
that today.s feminism is one of the leading causes of social and legal
problems in contemporary American culture. Undressing Feminism traces
the fight for equality for women from the 1700s until today, and then
makes dire predictions for feminism.s future. Klein weaves an historical
accounting of some of the most outrageous and interesting claims of
.equality. made throughout the centuries.
Although entirely committed to the spirit of first generation feminists,
Klein shows that contemporary feminism, once .disrobed. from the
rhetorical garb of equality with men, is laid bare as having a
single-minded political agenda.the achievement of privilege over men.
This goal, it is argued, is blatantly inconsistent with any reasonable
notion of equality, and creates an insidious sexism apparent in the
behavior of feminists themselves. In the final analysis, Klein urges
readers to embrace a productive and healthy account of justice, merit
and overall human excellence.
Dr. Ellen R. Klein received her Ph.D. from the University of Miami and
is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Flagler College in St.
Augustine Florida. She is an NEH and Fulbright recipient who writes on,
and speaks about, a broad area of philosophical issues including
business ethics, pedagogy, academic freedom, and global norms.