I do see the...irony...of me being a very feminine woman who enjoys crafts, wearing skirts and dresses, is studying to be a teacher, and who wants to be a stay-at-home mom and also being a hard-core feminist who wants women to have the priesthood. But really, it isn't irony. Feminists don't have to be masculine, man-hating bitter women, although that seems to be what some people picture. Maybe I don't want a career to be my main focus in life, but I will fight for other women who do want that. Feminism is about having the choice to do what you want and not be looked down on for doing it.
I was in a play at BYU about the female experience at the school, and I and the director got along great because we both had the same unorthodox ideas about women in the church (I did get along great with the whole cast too). The night of one of the shows, some of us were talking backstage about what we wanted for the future. Some of my castmates were surprised when I said that I wanted to get married, have kids, and be a stay-at-home mom. I fight for people who have different desires than I have; I'd want them to do the same for me if my desires were not in vogue and in the minority. I recognize that not everyone wants what I want. But just because I seem to be the stereotypical feminine lady (who even sometimes dresses like a '50s housewife!!!) doesn't mean I can't sympathize with others. I believe that I don't need a man to be complete, but that doesn't mean that I don't want to get married.
I say this as a reminder that I don't demand that everyone do what I want to do. I want people to be able to decide for themselves what they want and what's right for them.
