This semester I am taking an English class focused on gender and identity, and many of our discussions are centered around feminism and the role it plays in society. A couple of weeks before the semester began, my professor sent out a Google Form with questions for the students to answer about our learning style and anything else we wanted her to know about us.
One question stuck out to me the most: “Do you consider yourself a feminist?”
As I considered my answer choices and proceeded to confidently answer “Heck yes!”, I wondered why some people would answer anything different. As I have learned more about feminism in my English class and done some of my own research, I have been enlightened on the skepticism surrounding the feminist movement.
Feminism is defined as the “belief in and advocacy of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes expressed especially through organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.” Likewise, a feminist is someone who supports or engages in feminism. Feminism at its core is about equality of men and women, not “sameness.”
Many people offer up the argument that men and women are not the “same” and therefore cannot achieve equality. In other words, because women’s bodies are different—many say “weaker” and “smaller”—than men’s and because they have different physical capabilities, this means equality is not possible. However, it is critical to understand that “equal” does not mean “same.” The issue at hand here is about equal opportunities and rights. Moreover, men and women do not have to be the same physically to have the right to equality. Personally, I would like to see this argument disappear forever because frankly, it is a misguided one.
A few weeks into learning about feminism in my English class, I started asking my friends and family if they identified as a feminist. I naively assumed most were, so I was surprised by some of their answers. There were a couple different reasons why some answered no, they do not consider themself a feminist; however, surprisingly, none of these reasons were because they do not think men and women should have equal rights, and this is important to recognize.
So, why are so many people who believe in the premise of feminism (that men and women should have equality) still hesitant to call themselves a feminist?
Here are a few critical reasons, all of which are rooted in misconceptions.
- Historically, feminism has been associated with strong, forceful and angry women, and our society perpetually punishes forceful women.
- Many people fear that feminism means men will eventually lose out on power, influence, control and impact.
- Many people fear that feminism will reverse time-honored traditions, gender roles and religious beliefs, and this may cause discomfort.
The hesitation that many have to proudly identify with the feminist movement is because of the tarnished stereotype that has been branded on feminists. From a stereotypical view, female feminists are often viewed as unattractive and unfeminine bra burners who hate sex—amongst other stereotypes. Those who believe in this stereotype fail to recognize that a feminist can be anyone, regardless of gender, race or sexuality, that supports equality for men and women. The belief that feminists are just angry extremists that are out to exterminate all men is an empty assumption that needs to retire. While some misinterpret the movement as discrimination towards males, feminists really just want to level the playing field.
Society needs to redefine how we view the F-word. It should not be a word that people are afraid of or afraid to be associated with. When correctly understood, feminism is a beautiful movement that positively changes lives. If the public was properly educated on feminism, more people would come out of the shadows and the movement would be even bigger than it is today. People should be loud and proud of what they stand for—especially when it comes to feminism.