Versus

Contemporary feminism has a lot more in common with uber-conservatism in the United States than either would like to admit. Both sides of the fence are staunch believers in the sanctity and possibility of perfect independence, particularly when it comes to individuals, although the conservative side of the fence believes it is a state that should primarily benefit men, while the ultra-liberal feminists believe only women should be entitled to it. Both are wrong.

It isn't a matter of independence versus dependence. The fact is, both states are harmful to humans. If we follow the "rugged individualism" model to its inevitable conclusion, we have an isolated madman (or woman) living in a bunker, slowly devolving into a world where everything is "us" versus "them." We promote mistrust. If we live in a world that requires dependence, whether for men or women, the ultimate result is acceptance of slavery based on a belief that some quality or characteristic makes one group "less than" the other. We still promote "us" versus "them."

What we all need is to value our distinct diversity at the same time we respect our need for one another. What we need is inter-dependence. We are all infinitesimally small, we all have limitations and strengths, we are all uniquely precious. Living from this place provides a network of support and strength for the society we all live in and to which we all contribute.