CRITICISM OF FEMALE FOOLISHNESS

In CRITICISM OF FEMININE FOLLY, Minas Gerais sociologist Agenita Ameno demystifies the feminist achievements of the 20th century and shows how the capitalist economy was primarily responsible for the first step in the quest for equality between men and women. "The achievements are achievements, but not feminine," the author explains, "they are shaped by the system for women." Far from erasing the advantages achieved through capitalism, Agenita suggests a new social model, where wealth can be enjoyed by all, without harm to anyone. CRITICISM OF FEMININE FOLLY awakens women's consciousness to their true importance in the labor system: the true feminine folly is the total ignorance or underutilization of the revolutionary potential that gender possesses. "Women do not rebel. They sin by omissions, while men sin by actions," explains the sociologist. CRITICISM OF FEMININE FOOLISHNESS—a gift for her 3-year-old daughter—provides a feminine manifesto aimed at overthrowing the current system and establishing a dictatorship of pleasure. Where women don't need to always be beautiful, ready, and happy—but without extinguishing the flame of anguish of not being beautiful, ready, and happy enough. A new order, where perfection isn't demanded or any imperfection covered up. A society dominated by humanitarian principles, not dominated by men or women. "It's not the woman who has to bend over backwards. The system has to change," she affirms. Agenita, however, opposes the feminist pamphlet movement. "The feminist movement should reform itself and become a humanist movement." The book analyzes the media's excessive demands on women and the exaggerated emphasis on image. It's not enough to be something. You have to look and dress like that something. Thus, the executive would never wear a low-cut dress, even in hot weather, for fear of appearing less competent. And a "big-assed" woman will always dress sexy, because that's what's expected of her. CRITICISM OF FEMININE FOOLISHNESS aims to target these women. Women who are part of the economic and political power and who are the greatest victims of the hypnosis caused by discourses of female emancipation. "And don't see it as a feminist and arrogant attitude," Agenita declares. "Just look around and realize that everything related to women is what brings the most profit to the economy." About the author: Agenita Ameno was born in Coronel Fabriciano, Minas Gerais. Married and mother of five children, she is a sociologist with a degree from the Federal University of Minas Gerais. Since 1993, she has coordinated the Center for Social Studies and Research in Belo Horizonte, which she helped found.