Feminism is a very tricky term to discuss because it incorporates such a wide range of ideas, concepts and movements. Even among feminists there is disagreement as to what feminism is or should be. This discussion and debate of feminism has rarely been more prominent than in the past couple weeks with the nomination of Governor Sarah Palin for vice president. McCain’s controversial choice has sent pundits and bloggers scrambling for their keyboards in an effort to determine what, if any, kind of feminist Palin is.

I’m going to come out and say that Palin is absolutely a feminist, and I love her for it. Palin brings a new form of feminism to the table that we don’t get to see very often. Her staunch pro-life positions put her at odds with what many perceive to be an integral aspect of feminism, the alleged right to choice. This has infuriated pro-choice feminists who believe that Governor Palin’s stances are setting feminism back. I would argue the opposite-Palin’s stances offer a new avenue for feminism to flourish. The perception that feminism is solely pro-choice denies the strong women who firmly believe in a baby’s right to be born. In standing up for her convictions, Governor Palin is saying that women don’t have to agree with every alleged integral tenet of feminism to be a feminist. Feminism is supposed to incorporate a variety of positions that empower women, not prescribe an ideology.

Governor Palin is also balancing her duties as a mother and wife while sustaining her highly successful career, showing us women can easily have both and handle each successfully if that is their wish. This more clearly adheres to the traditional facets of feminism. MSNBC reported on Sept. 11, 2008 that she literally does both simultaneously, feeding her son Trig while attending to her governmental duties. I believe that Governor Palin said it best herself as reported by the Anchorage Daily News in March: ”To any critics who say a woman can’t think and work and carry a baby at the same time, I’d just like to escort that Neanderthal back to the cave.” Others are also arguing that with such a large family (five children) and one that is facing an unplanned teenage pregnancy, she needs to refocus her priorities and see her family through this difficult period. Such an argument brazenly assumes that Governor Palin is incapable of raising five kids at once and ignores that the doting parents of one teenage daughter could also face an unplanned pregnancy. This argument is incredibly demeaning not only to Palin, but also the multitudes of women who pursue successful careers while also being there for their families.

The fact that this is even being discussed about Palin highlights a revealing disparity. Has Senator Obama been criticized for running for office while raising a family? He hasn’t, nor should he be. I’m confident that Obama can balance his duties as a father and husband with his duties as president, should he be elected. If Senator Obama can support his family while in office, there’s no reason to believe that Governor Palin cannot. It’s a simple fact that people who run for public office are often persons who have families, and to say that ascension to any office would require neglect of the family is absurd.

It’s very easy for me, a conservative male, to laud Governor Palin as a feminist. I’m certainly no expert on feminism, and I may be predisposed to be a political fan of a candidate who shares many of my beliefs. I know that I’m not alone, however, in my view that Palin is a feminist. Senior Social Studies Teaching Major Emme Mohn says, “Even though I’m a Democrat and a liberal, I feel that Sarah Palin is a feminist. It’s wrong that people are saying bad things about her because she’s choosing her career and being a mom at the same time. That’s what feminists have been fighting for – the choice to work or to be a mom or to do both.”

My point is that Palin’s candidacy is highlighting the debate within this country about what feminism should be and giving us a new view of feminism that embraces pro-life stances. To say that Sarah Palin is not a feminist ignores her strength and is the real setback to feminism in this situation. You may not agree with her politics or stances, but at least acknowledge the empowering value her candidacy can have for women in this country.