Simone De Beauvoir

So I'm reading this book that deconstructs a woman who is considered one of the philosophical founders of modern feminism. It is amazing to me how much she dehumanizes herself and other women in her aversion to motherhood. Obviously, this is a matter of choice. I was curious if any read de Beauvoir in a different way.

"Her misfortune is to have been biologically destined for the repetition of life, when even in her own view Life does not carry within itself its reasons for being, reasons that are more important than the life itself"

"Woman, like man, is her body; but her body is something other than herself"?!?

"It has well been said that women have infirmity in the abdomen. They have within them a hostile element- it is the species gnawing at their vitals"

"Furthermore, however deferential and polite the man may be, the first penetration is always a violation."

It goes on and on. She is very liberating in some ways, but really practices a brutal philosophy regarding women who choose to "breed".


OEC

hmmm...i just finished writing an essay on De Beauvoir & Freud perhaps 2 days ago.

I was reading the 2nd Sex, or as she says, 'Le Deuxieme Sexe'.
I was impressed by what she had to say.....in general.
Don't have much time now, will write back.

simone de Beauvoir was a nymphomaniac!

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Originally Posted by 23*

simone de Beauvoir was a nymphomaniac!

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would have to ask Sartre on that heheh.

OEC

actually it is well documented.

Simone de Beauvoir had her first orgasm thanks to Nelson Algren, when she was only 14.
Frank Sinatra said of her
"she likes it rough, we.....spend a lot of time together".
he was 21, while she was in her fifties.
A boyfriend of hers from the 30s named Clarence Sherwood said
"her sexual energies surpass mine; and women have called
me a raging bull of the bedroom"
An anonymous source from Le Reine Boutique (1969) said
"her sexual appetite is extraordinary, I have done things with
her that I had never even thought possible".

Frankie had her? I respect her more now haha.

OEC

I had a lit teacher who was deeply into femanism and pretty much structured her course around it. Telling you gents...you've not lived till each and every day you are told how horrid you are due to your sex. Not maliciously mind you but in a very witty way.

That soon ended though when the reality of life is that no one brutalizes women like other women. I know some of you may disagree and what not but "sisterhood" and all that bullshit is quickly pushed aside for such inane things (like over men...HA...gotta love that.) that I really gotta question any all femanist thought on how bad men are. Granted some VALID points are made in terms of equality...but in terms of sheer quantity if pain...women do it to themselves.

Pick up any woman's magazine...how you women can read that shit and not shoot yourselves in the head amazes me. I love and respect women cause I was raised by very good ones...but I can't and won't buy into the nonsense that men are to blame for women's problems as a whole.

"I can't and won't buy into the nonsense that men are to blame for women's problems as a whole."

I think women are as much to blame as men in the whole scheme of things. It's a matter of taking responsibilty for your choices and actions.

If you find out you are involved with a violent psycho, get out. If he beats you or your kids just leave. Don't take him back because the odds are he will kill you.

If you want a family and a home then don't go looking for the bad boys who will leave at the first sign of problems or a new piece of tail.

Avoid the drugs and out of control drunks.
If you choose to have kids make some smart choices.

In the end, its not society, its not the schools, its not the doctors, its not the government. It is the Parents' responsibilty to raise the little bastards right and take care of them.

It is a shame how too few people get the last part right.

Yes yes,
But De Beauvoir isn't really open to this criticism. Her main thesis
appreciated the fact that women collude in keeping sexist values alive.

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Originally Posted by 23*

Yes yes,
But De Beauvoir isn't really open to this criticism. Her main thesis
appreciated the fact that women collude in keeping sexist values alive.

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I would argue that De Beauvoir tends to accept the male paradigm herself. Women are equal but different imho. She is way too critical towards women who do choose to reproduce and run the household.

OEC

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Originally Posted by OneEyedCat

So I'm reading this book that deconstructs a woman who is considered one of the philosophical founders of modern feminism. It is amazing to me how much she dehumanizes herself and other women in her aversion to motherhood. Obviously, this is a matter of choice. I was curious if any read de Beauvoir in a different way.

"Her misfortune is to have been biologically destined for the repetition of life, when even in her own view Life does not carry within itself its reasons for being, reasons that are more important than the life itself"

"Woman, like man, is her body; but her body is something other than herself"?!?

"It has well been said that women have infirmity in the abdomen. They have within them a hostile element- it is the species gnawing at their vitals"

"Furthermore, however deferential and polite the man may be, the first penetration is always a violation."

It goes on and on. She is very liberating in some ways, but really practices a brutal philosophy regarding women who choose to "breed".


OEC

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Didn't she have an affair with Olivia Newton John?

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Originally Posted by MistressJennifer

Didn't she have an affair with Olivia Newton John?

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I hope not for Olivia's sake. She was born in 1908:1orglaugh

OEC

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OneEyedCat

I hope not for Olivia's sake. She was born in 1908:1orglaugh

OEC

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I wonder what she would think of the "Blue Blood" set? Do you think she would approve or disapprove?

She was kind of pretty actually when she was young.

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Originally Posted by MistressJennifer

I wonder what she would think of the "Blue Blood" set? Do you think she would approve or disapprove?

She was kind of pretty actually when she was young.

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That's a good question actually. I have not read her views on erotica. I think she might evolve to where she liked it.

OEC

she would most certainly approve.....she is all about choice and transcendence

I mean this is the lady who said “one is not born a women but becomes a women”

One of De Beauvoir’s principle characteristics is anti-determinism.