Susan Faludi

Feminist scholar Susan Faludi is the author of Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women and Stiffed: The Betrayal of the American Man. In the following viewpoint, she responds to charges that feminists have betrayed their principles by failing to denounce President Bill Clinton for engaging in sexual acts with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky. In truth, Faludi asserts, feminism has never called for the legal restriction of private acts between two consenting people; the expectation that feminists should condemn adultery and other forms of private sexual behavior stems from the feminist movement’s erroneous reputation as “sex-phobic”—a reputation created by media pundits.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What is the stigma of being a feminist, as described by Faludi?
2. According to the author, what was “feminists&rsquo...