Currently, 63 percent of female college students identify as feminist (Zimmerman). Despite the growing popularity of this term, society is oblivious to what feminism truly is. Many people have a negative connotation of feminists, and would never consider themselves to be one because they don’t know that feminism is the belief that men and women should have equal rights. Additionally, society has become brainwashed to the sexism both men and women face on a day to day basis. Therefore, feminist beliefs should be integrated into each man and woman’s life because gender inequality negatively affects all members of society. First of all, society unnecessarily criticizes the personalities of women. For instance,
“...if you’re an assertive woman it’s misconstrued as bossiness. It says to women it’s not O.K. for us to be driven, ambitious and have strong opinions” (Zimmerman). This belief often hinders the dreams of young women, causing them to see themselves as worth less than men. Everyone should be a feminist because it is inhumane to raise young girls in an environment where they are told to be weak and submissive. Additionally, after society criticizes women for being aggressive and determined “we turn around and either praise or excuse men for the same reasons” (Adichie, 24). This can often be damaging to women since this societal convention implies that men are superior to women. All women should support feminist beliefs because gender inequality often shatters
While controversial, I strongly believe feminism is one of the multiple different problems of America today. Saying this will probably spark reactions such as “misogynist” and such, however, I believe in this because I really do believe in equality between the two sexes. Feminism is a movement that today is only creating advantages for women while claiming to be benefiting both sexes. In fact, a study conducted in the United States by The Fawcett Society and Kaiser Family Foundation (2016) showed fewer than 1 in 5 women describe themselves as a “feminist” even though over 85% of them believe in equality between the sexes, why? Because it is clear that feminism has become something different now. It has little to do with equality and moreso hating on men by making laws where women have the upperhand such as almost always getting the child in a divorce unless the man can prove the woman is not suited for the child, or inventing terms such as “manspreading” which is the act of a male spreading his legs in a public area to showcase “dominance”. These faults explain why women happen to be abandoning it by the millions. In the United Kingdom the numbers were even worse, just 7% of women describe themselves as a feminist despite just about 92% believing in equality between the sexes (The Fawcett Society, 2016). This shows people see a difference between the two words “feminism” and “equality”. It spreads false information such as the supposed “wage gap” and tries to constantly position women as the victims.
In society these days there is a noticeable difference in the treatment of men and women, the most common examples would be found in the social, business and culturally convention realms. These ways of life have double standards in many different ways. There are many ways to convey the ways of discrimination towards women by men.
To admit or to label oneself as a feminist is to accept a whirlwind of judgment from those around you. It is without a doubt that the word “Feminism” or “Feminist” turns heads, and not necessarily for the right reasons. Many have resorted to mocking, disagreeing, and/or hating Feminism without even having a good grasp of what it is. The stigmas that feminists face are that they are radical, extremist, liberal, lesbians who hate men, refuse to shave and enjoy burning bras (Lee).Conversely, feminists are principally advocates for social justice and equality as well as aim for the establishment of equally divided power between the sexes. It is obvious that many are unaware of and uneducated on the misogynistic injustices plaguing our world and the toxic environment we all live in- both women and men. Feminism is a positive concept that works to eliminate injustices between both sexes and to establish the value of women, thus should be treated as such a concept instead of being a forbidden idea.
When thinking about feminism in today’s society we tend to direct our minds and thoughts to a more radical and powerful train of thought. Feminism has been going on for centuries, with two main ideologies at the forefront; liberal and cultural feminism. Someone who identifies as a liberal feminist is someone who believes that women and men are a like and equal in most respects and deserve equal roles and opportunities (Wood & Fixmer-Oraiz, 2017, p. 58). And cultural feminism is someone who identifies as someone who believes that men and women are fundamentally differently; you have different rights, role and opportunities (Wood & Fixmer-Oraiz, 2017, p. 58). The women’s rights movement can be understood and broken down into three “waves”.
The Merriam-Webster definition of feminism is “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” In the past century, gender roles have been challenged because of feminism. The very idea has completely flipped households, workplaces, and the general community and changed it for the better. A plethora of women’s movements were initiated in the 1960’s, and it gave people a look at how powerful women are when we stand united. Feminism has gained many followers in the past thirty to forty years as more people are becoming aware of conflicts pertaining to discrimination. However, there are many that were hesitant both in the 1960’s and in the present day, but for very different reasons. Nevertheless, persistence seems to be a beacon in women’s rights movements, thanks to very strong and level-headed role models.
Initially, the word feminist weighed heavy on my tongue, foreign and full of skepticism because at sixteen I had a fallacious view of the girls who wore the title like a homecoming crown. My APUSH class proved me wrong. The girls at my table taught me that feminism was far more than unshaven armpits and misandry as society so often reduced it to; instead I learned it to be about empowerment, the uplift of women to rightful equality. That was a value my mother instilled in me from early childhood --- that I, a woman, am invariably equal to a man so the incredulity
Feminism is most often thought of as a method used for educating society on the rights of women. It teaches that men and women are equal in every way both civil and societal. Charlotte Bunch, realizing that this is not always the case, also defined feminism as "a way of looking at the world a questioning of power and domination issues". A great deal of feminists attempt to ignore the ideas of a stereotypical women and move them away from people who don’t. They fight to find, study, and do away with biases in a world filled with ignorant men who see women only as objects and not equals. There are however, women who announce their immense intellect, wealth, and vibrant and free personalities to those who oppress them. A woman
Feminism is more than a word, more than an individual, and more than an identity. In the words of Tavi Gevinson, editor-in-chief of Rookie Mag, an online feminist magazine for teen girls, feminism is a discussion, a conversation, and a process. It’s not a set of rules and restrictions, and it’s certainly not an attack targeted on men, but it is a fight, and it’s a long one. Over time, various connotations surrounding the word “feminist” have developed to form an image of angry, misandrist, bra-burning women who shouldn’t be taken seriously as thinkers and agents of social change. A dismissal of feminism that I hear often seems to be that feminists are just looking for things to be angry about, seeking out reasons to complain so we feel
In today’s society, it’s common to hear the word “feminism” being thrown around. Whether it’s on social media, or in regular conversation. There’s an abundance of people in the United States and abroad that call themselves feminists. Feminists claim to support “equality” and that it is in fact a movement towards women's rights. However, what started out was a woman’s movement, is now a movement that appears to put woman above men. Quite the opposite of equality, if you ask me.
“Women belong in the kitchen.” “Are you on your period?” “You play like a girl.” Within the halls of schools all across the United States, sexist phrases and comments run rampant. The mindset of an entire civil society is based around the fact that men are stronger, smarter, and more level-headed than women, thus making them more fit to be given opportunities and leadership roles. When a boy tells me, “Go make me a sandwich,” I am deemed “crazy” or “irrational” for speaking up in an assertive manner. However, when I do speak up about the injustices and double-standards to which women are held, I am met with timidity, reluctance, or even repulsin when daring to suggest that feminism addresses the issues associated with sexism and equality. If I could research any topic, I would choose to research the reason as to why so many citizens of the US, both men and women, are so opposed to the movement of feminism.
A New York Times poll displays that the amount of Americans who identify themselves as feminist has dropped to 18% (cite nytimes). Many rightfully view modern feminism as irrelevant. Informed individuals see that women have many privileges over men. In addition, modern feminist views are mildly oppressive to men and do not wish to form equal opportunities, but to add advantages to women over men. Feminism as a movement originated in the 1960s, and it continues to be a movement to this day, even though women in our country are equals. The movement is complete and is now being morphed into a corrupt and morally depraved movement that should be scrapped entirely in its third wave.
The word feminist is believed to be characterized as an individual who demonstrates huge support and advocates that women should be just as equal as men, both being given the same rights and opportunities. A feminist might make the comment, “As a woman, I should be given the same opportunities to be as successful as a man.” Although there is still ground to make up in America, equality between men and women is becoming something that is generally expected (Samovar, Porter, McDaniel, & Roy, 2012). American culture in many instances promote gender equality in relation to home and in the workplace for instance, women make on average 80% of what men do, yet other countries place great emphasis on inequality (Samovar, Porter, McDaniel, & Roy,
Firstly, being a feminist is a really good way to education oneself about the discrimination of women and other genders around the world. Knowledge of multiple issues can lead to an open mind which is always needed in our society so that people stop judging others for superficial reasons. Also, by having knowledge of different problems regarding women, feminists are able to share their knowledge to others as well as different types of feminists can share each other's knowledge. Education helps people realize the inequality of genders around the world, which could help push us forward to ending it. Moreover, feminism helps young girls and boys feel better about who they want to be. Society has told girls and boys how to act, but a big problem for girls was being told that something was wrong with them, whether it be there physical or mental ability, women had to be a certain way. Feminist disagree with this, being feminine should not be a problem. They help others and themselves learn about self-respect and to no longer listen to society’s unwritten rules (Valenti, 2013, p. 2-3).These benefits are why so many people around the world identify as a
However, there is still a great deal of obstacles standing in the way of total equality. Many people underestimate the relevance and importance of feminism in our modern society. As stated earlier, women’s reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ rights are threatened daily. History proves that whenever we come together to defend the same cause, we can achieve the change we desire. Feminism has helped me through some of the darkest moments of my life. It has helped me comprehend that when I fell victim to sexual assault, it was not my fault. It has also helped me become more positive and confident in my body and who I am as a whole. I am smart, independent, opinionated, and determined. I am woman. I am
The first major misconception about feminism is that the women are the only ones who can be feminist. This is extremely untrue. The people who work to support this movement are not only women. They work in many ways to help promote equality. For example, “endorsing feminist beliefs, identifying oneself as a feminist, and participating in feminist collective action” (Precopio & Ramsey 2017). These are all ways that feminists work to promote a better society. However, the negative stigma and stereotypes surrounding feminism and its supporters discourages men and women from having any part of Feminism. This is in part, the fault of those who spread