October 1982

Don't I wish, as a member of the National Organization for Women, who has been through Consciousness-raising, that I were "totally enlightened - visualizing, clarifying and instructing all of 'man'kind (emphasis mine) upon all things". I do, however, feel qualified to enlighten Eugene Howard Austin (letter 10/10) as to the true nature of Consciousness raising.

CR deals with the unique socialization to which females are subjected and the commonality of the societal injustices perpetuated against women. An understanding of this fairly limited purpose of CR can strike fear in the hearts of intransigent male chauvinists, determined to keep us "in our place." CR is the primary path over which women pass to recognition of the patriarchal system which has oppressed us for thousands of years. CR provides women with the knowledge and impetus to change their responses and, ultimately, feminists believe the inequitable system itself.

The meaning of Mr. Austin's ramblings about NOW's "visceral form of thought control based upon eliciting specific responses programmed in us all through our natural childhood preparation and training" escapes us altogether. I do, though, question how "preparation and training" can be natural. These activities entail a selection from a wide variety of child-rearing options. Leaving children in a feral or undomesticated state could be considered "natural"; preparation and training cannot.

I also submit that the existence of a "mother instinct" is unsubstantiated. Female socialization has traditionally coerced women into making child rearing their most important, if not sole, function. Women who have been through feminist CR, however, have acquired tools to severely limit society's sexist impact on their children. If this birthing instinct is real, non-sexist upbringing of girls will not affect their overwhelming desire to reproduce, right? Mr. Austin should applaud a method of parenting which would expose the "mother instinct" unsullied by cultural pressure.

Feminists are not opposed to reproduction; we are opposed to that being our only life option sanctified by society. We remain dedicated to CR as a tool whereby women can liberate themselves from the stultifying limitations imposed by a male-dominated world. We would hope that the Eugene Howard Austins could support our efforts; we are determined, nonetheless, to achieve our goal with or without their consent.