Sarah Jessica Parker Chooses Solidarity Over Feminism

Sarah Jessica Parker faces new criticism over her statements about rejecting the feminism label, possibly alienating the precise audiences her new show, Divorce, is meant to attract, but Parker may have a valid point. It is possible to fight for equal rights without pushing away or vilifying those whom we all work and live beside. In asking for peace and equality without labels, Sarah has been criticized for declining to recognize that wanting gender equality automatically makes one a feminist.

Former Sex And The City Star Sarah Jessica Parker Gets Personal On Everything From Marriage To Feminism

While critics might be expressing their outrage over Sarah Jessica Parker’s comments on feminism in her recent Marie Claire interview, one cannot deny that the Divorce star has the right to express those views. She speaks from her heart in all things and that includes her view on being labeled a feminist, which is something Parker isn’t too keen on.

“I am not a feminist. I don’t think I qualify. I believe in women and I believe in equality, but I think there is so much that needs to be done that I don’t even want to separate it anymore,” says Sarah. “I’m so tired of separation. I just want people to be treated equally.”

Some argue that Parker holds the beliefs of a feminist, whether or not she would choose to self-identify as such, and those critics may find further proof in Sarah’ views on the Hollywood wage gap and the outspoken words of actresses like Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Watson. While Parker doesn’t believe all actors should be paid the same, she does feel one’s wage should be calculated based on their worth and not on their gender.

Sarah says Jennifer Lawrence and Ms. Watson deserve credit for speaking up about the struggles women face in the workforce, but she also says women deserve more credit for juggling careers and family as well as they do on a daily basis.

Divorce Is Not A Sex And The City Spin-Off, Says Sarah Jessica Parker

Even though Divorce won’t premiere on HBO for a couple more months, People reveals that fans are already comparing the upcoming series to Sarah Jessica Parker’s past series, Sex and the City. Parker says that’s a mistake, but it won’t be a long-lived misconception, because the opening scene of Divorce sets it apart as its own show.

“I love the way the pilot episode opens because everyone’s asking, ‘Oh, is this a spin-off of Sex and the City?’ And the moment that the opening scene ends, and you see her give him the finger, you know it’s very different,” says Ms. Parker.

The series explores the divorce of a single couple, hence the title of the series, and, in speaking of the show, Sarah was also open on her own feelings about relationships. Ms. Parker says a relationship is essentially about investing in the other person and taking the time to make that person a priority in one’s life. The Divorce actress adds that time and experience may limit person’s willingness to invest in their partner and that, in turn, leads to the collapse of a relationship and divorce for married couples.

“They change and you get smarter, and maybe you think those expectations aren’t worth striving for with this person, and that’s when people bail.”

Divorce isn’t the only thing keeping Sarah Jessica Parker going these days. The actress, who has been married to actor Matthew Broderick since 1997, also has three children, twins Tabitha Hodge Broderick and Marion Loretta Elwell Broderick, 7, and 13-year-old James Wilkie Broderick.

“I’m so desperate for my children to be curious people. I just want them to be happy and curious.”

Divorce is set to premiere on Sunday, October 9, on HBO.

[Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images]