What Do Feminists Think About Purses?

A friend posed this question to me last week, wondering how I as a feminist felt about women carrying purses, handbags and the like. My initial response was that if a purse or bag was useful to you, then you should carry one regardless if you were a man or woman, but that I could not speak for all feminists, just for myself. After some reflection, I realized that while I agree with this final response a bit of analysis is needed to get to that conclusion.

First, the question must be asked: Why do women carry purses and not men? One reason women carry purses is because they cannot fit their essentials into their pockets, like men. Women's pant pockets are much smaller than men's pant pockets, on average. Therefore, even if women wanted to go sans purse, it would be difficult to fit wallet, keys, and phone into jean or pant pockets.

But if women wanted the convenience of carrying their things in their pockets, why aren't there widespread pant pocket options to facilitate this choice? I think women's pants have smaller average pant pocket sizes for two reasons. One: women would not look as heterosexually appealing with bulging pockets by their hips and asses. Two: if women cannot fit their things in their pants, they are required to spend more money to buy a purse to carry their things around in. One of the ways in which women are oppressed in western society is through economics: women make lower salaries than men (on average women make 80% what a man makes) and women are compelled to spend more of their hard earned money on items and procedures deemed necessary, such as on large wardrobes, and beauty treatments and products to appear conventionally attractive.

Many women also carry non-essential items in their bags, such as band-aids, asprin, and other items that may be needed in an emergency. For instance, some women carry Tide pens for stains or a packet of tissues in their handbags. On more than one occasion, a man has asked me if I had one of these items available in my purse to help him out. Given that women are socialized to be helpful nurturers, it is not surprising that women are expected to carry such items around in their bags. Now, I'm not offended if a man (or woman) asks me if I have a needed item, and if I have it, I am happy to share. My point is that I would never ask a man if he had some asprin in his pockets or anything like that, but I would totally ask a woman.

So, there is a bit of background for why I think women largely carry purses and men do not. I think there is a certain amount of reflection that is helpful to get to my final point: if a bag is helpful or useful to you, then carry one. My bag is useful to me, I usually carry a notebook, a book to read, perhaps a snack, and some lip gloss. I don't feel oppressed by carrying a handbag, but I don't think women should be expected to carry one, just as a man should carry a bag if he needs one. I think the final point is that regardless of your gender socialization, if something is good for you, then do it.

On Death and Dying

Life Before Death

This is a series of photos of people before and after they die, along with quotes and commentary regarding death. Seeing these images reminds me to enjoy the time I have, because I don't know how much time I will have to enjoy. It is interesting to force yourself to think about death, because as a culture we spend very little time, I believe, thinking about our limited lives. We will all die. Because of the finite amount of time and life that we are given, we can be driven to achieve great things and enjoy life and the world around us, knowing that one day our time will be up.

I've been thinking a lot about what to do next year: go to school, move away, find a job, try to write. Forcing myself to think about death and the limited time offer of life has made me realize that I need to keep in mind that it's not so much the choice I make, but what I make of the choice.