I can understand that thinking but to imply that women are entirely or mostly responsible for oppressing themselves is to miss the forest for the trees. You could argue that such an attitude and thinking on the part of some women is the result of indoctrination of male-dominated thinking. I am not a women and I prolly don't have much business talking about womens issues and there are others who can put this point across better than me. The reason I am commenting is because the analogy applies to other people too who are unequally empowered because of things like gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation etc. It is a bit disturbing to approach issues of equality with the idea that the victims somehow deserve it. Just my thoughts ... nothing more to add. I'll let the other capable folks chip in. And nothing personal - just a moral concern raised in the spirit of openness :) Best regards.