Does Blogging Empower Women?

Ok, I was sort of lukewarm on this idea, thinking I did not have anything worthwhile to say on the matter, but then I read in Her Bad Mother’s blog that there was candy involved, and so here I am. Will blog for chocolate. I don’t even know if it’s a “we’ll pick a random winner” contest, or if there are celebrity judges and the like. Actually, I think I procrastinated beyond the point of no return and missed my chance for candy, but the deed is done, so read on.


Empowerment of women. I have to get all technical now, because…well because that’s what I do. “Empower” is one of those words that have gained currency and are used as part of the “shortcut” language Orwell was so worked up about. Naturally, I had to look it up in Webster’s, and that shortcut of shortcuts, Wikipedia. Always good to know I am talking about what I think I’m talking about, and not have to channel Gilda Radner: “It’s not ‘flogging powdered women’? Oh, Never Mind!”

So, do I think blogging empowers women? Yes and No.

Yes, because anything that gives you a voice, and a place to use it, is empowering. Blogging is a way to use this technology and this forum (the internet) to express ourselves to anyone who is listening. And there are a lot of people listening. Blogging is like the consumer-powered version of the mall opinion research pollsters. We’ll tell you what we think of things, no need to ask. The relative anonymity (or at least pseudonymity) of blogging platforms lets us be free to say things we would not say to the faces of our bosses, husbands, or mothers-in-law, because we have been raised as Nice Girls and don’t want to be rude. (Some of us were raised to ignore that particular marginalizing rule for girls – they are the ones who use their real names.)

Since access to blogging is low cost or free (Ha, I just called a computer and an internet connection ‘low cost’ – I guess I am showing my middle class bias), those of us without the kinds of jobs that pay a lot (or at all) can still participate. And, if your family already pays for the computer and the internet connection, you don’t have to justify the expense of it by trying to make money off of your blog. Where I am going here is that you don’t have to hope for a J.K. Rowling Cinderella story to get some publisher to believe in you in order to have the world hear your story. Just put it out there.

But alas, that’s where my “No” comes in.

Because of the easy access to blogging, and its popularity with those traditionally not considered contributors to the market supported publishing world, have we stumbled into a ghetto of feminine self expression? It reminds me of a conversation I had about 20 years ago when I remarked to a colleague how the field of emergency medical services (EMTs and paramedics) seemed to NOT be quite so male dominated as medicine, police and fire. She responded “Yes, women do seem to be well represented. I hope it doesn’t become another ‘women’s field’ like nursing or teaching.” Now, current market trends may not hold up her predictions, but what she was saying was that she feared a preponderance of females in any career path would have the effect of keeping wages depressed, men uninterested, and, basically, fail to empower the profession. Was she right? I don’t know. But I find myself asking the same about blogging for women.

For more about the contest, go to Mommy Blogs Toronto. Winners will be announced soon.