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Feminism has reached a point where it is now more harmful than good.

Rebuttal of Pros Arguments 1. For let it be the case woman work in the same job and they get less pay. The example given was not balanced; pro continually compared her salary to those who had more experience and seniority. To use these qualifications as a reason why women get paid less than men is a red herring. 2. For let it be the case that woman get paid less in the general labour jobs or in general all together. My opponent attempts to justify the pay inequality by rationalizing that many men are supporting wives and we should expect the inequality. I am unwilling to concede this point, as it flies in the face of everything I know about business and has not a shred of evidence to back it up. However, even if this were true, that men are getting paid more because their employers know they have wives to take care of, then this is a fine example of institutionalized discrimination that should be added to the list of things feminism needs to address. It does not excuse the system from being discriminatory and trying to economically shoehorn women back into the role of housewives, a role so many women have fought to break free of. Then my opponent went off on a tangeant about how if these suppositions were raised to a feminist group they would be met with disdain. In my estimation, disdain for these points is warranted, because they are nothing ludicrous attempts to justify discrimination and they are not even well reasoned justifications. Even aside from what has been mentioned men still spend more on woman then woman on men. That is woman get more free goods then men in general. Finally my opponent had the audacity to imply that women deserved less pay because they received more gifts from men. "Stay at home and be a good little wife and we will bring you a nice present." I think not. My opponent spent the rest of her space exploring philosophy and epistomology. Interesting subjects, indeed, but not relevant to this discussion. The only aspect of my opening argument that was addressed was the financial aspect, which is the least of the arguments in favor of continued feminism. The true reason feminism is still needed is because there is still sexism. None of my opponents statements have demonstrated that feminism is doing harm of any kind, which is the basis for this debate. I was prepared to counter many arguments, but I have received none. I forfeited the last round and explained to my opponent that the burden of proof was her responsibility. Though I had nothing to refute, it was ill-mannered of me to let my time slip away without making a response. For that I apologize to my opponent. Supporting Arguments The good that has been accomplished by the feminist movement can be seen everywhere. Though my opponent graciously accepts that women should be allowed to vote and drive, her arguments prove that there is still much good that the feminist movement needs to achieve. My opponent allows that woment deserve an education, but it is the patriarchal mindset that needs to be educated. Oppression is about lack of choices. Women have been oppressed for millenia, and my opponent seems content that women be forced back into the roles that men picked out for them. I am not. An injustice done to anyone is an injustice done to everyone, and no one has a right to determine what a woman should do with her life EXCEPT the woman herself. Would the shoe be on the other foot one would expect such a hue and cry from the male population that the mountains would tremble. A persons worth and place in society should not be determined by their genitalia. This should be res ipsa loquitur, but obviously it is not, because this discussion is still taking place. So I will speak for it. Women, who once had only a handful of jobs from which to choose (teacher, librarian, nurse, et cetera) are now free to pursue almost any career they choose. Women are soldiers, police officers, firefighters, politicians, astronauts and doctors. For any who once said that women could not do these jobs I invite them to eat those words now. There is nothing a woman can not do. To be sure, women were and are harrassed by the men who wanted to keep these jobs the venue soley of the male population, but they persevered. But the stereotype is not completely broken. A woman who chooses to pursue a career is tacitly accepted by society, but it still comes with presuppositions. Women who work outside the home are still expected, overwhelmingly, to do the 'woman's work' when she gets home from her job. If the couple descides to start a family it is the woman who is expected to stay home and raise the children (if either parent does, that is). Feminism still has good work to do in helping women destroy the last of the stereotypes. There is no harm caused by it that could possibly outweigh the good that it has accomplished and has yet to accomplish.