Reflection On Feminism

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 order to understand the present day feminist movement, one must understand how feminism originated and the basic definition of feminism. What comes to mind when you hear the word feminism? For many, phrases like “man-hater” and “feminazi” have become equated with feminism. However, feminism is quite simply defined as “political, economic, and social equality of

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”.

Feminists today are viewed as raging, man-hating bitches, but feminism in its true sense simply advocates women’s rights. While there are extremes on either side of the scale, most feminists fight

What does it mean to be a Feminist? Does it automatically mean you hate men or does it mean you're an activist for women's rights? Contrary to popular belief, feminism is not about establishing a superior gender. It is about fighting for equality and destroying the social, cultural and historical norms set upon women throughout the world. The Twenty-first century has brought change and growth to female empowerment. Although, in many parts of the world women are given the same rights as men, they are still treated and viewed inferior to men. G.I. Jane perfectly illustrates the struggle women have gone through, even when given “identical” opportunities as men.

Feminism is the radical notion that women are human beings. It’s a quote that has been attributed to dozens of women throughout history, but no matter who whispered those wise words, they still hold a significant impact in the modern social body. Much like with the civil rights movement for African Americans, women have won their suffrage and have been granted equal rights; however, also much like the African American people, oppression is still very real for women in the modern social body. The growing disparity between the wages of males and females is frightening, the presence of a rape culture is devastating, and the failures to recognize the right of a woman to choose are cataclysmic. So, if the feminist

Feminism began way back in the early 1800’s with a realization that gender roles limited the sexes. From the very start, there have been many male feminists, even if they are not spoken of often. In the 1830’s, William Lloyd Garrison emerged as one of the first men to openly believe in women participating in the abolition movement and other political issues. During that time, it took mounds of courage for a male to stand up and say that women could do something just as well as men. Fast forward over many years of history, and even in modern day America, men are still looked at strangely when they say they are feminists. One male feminist shared on CNN.com in 2013, “My feminism is a simple belief in equality. I’m a feminist because I believe that men and women are and should be equal, but we’re not treated equally right now” (Brougher 1). He shared his ideas of all the reasons women need to be given equal rights, but

The definition of feminism is very elusive. Maybe because of its ever-changing historical meaning, it’s not for certain whether there is any coherence to the term feminism or if there is a definition that will live up to the movement’s variety of adherents and ideas. In the book “No Turning Back,” author Estelle Freedman gives an accurate four-part definition of the very active movement: “Feminism is a belief that women and men are inherently part of equal worth. Because most societies privilege men as a group, social movements are necessary to achieve equality between women and men, with the understanding that gender always intersects with other social hierarchies” (Freedman 7).

Feminism at its root is “the advocacy of women’s right on the basis of the equality of the sexes.” Despite various claims that declare feminism is trying to bolster women over men, fundamentally, feminism is simply working towards equality. However, the collective population does not necessarily agree with this. In “The Men’s Right Movement Is a Response to the Excesses of Feminism” by Bruce Walker, where he explores how feminism is unjust and out of place. Regardless of what feminism really is, people will object and take offense.

For the record, feminism by definition is: ‘the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.’ It is the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes. (Watson 1)

I never knew much about feminism until a year ago it came up in a class and I sat down and did my research. It’s sad how much women are looked down upon simply because we are women. We deserve to be more equal to men, some women can do the same job as a man, maybe even better. I consider myself a feminist because as a woman I want to be valued and have the same opportunity as a man. I came across a picture that stated “I don’t need feminism because ours sons are not inherent rapist and out daughters are not perpetual victims” (Bodenner), all feminist don’t consider men as rapist; especially me.

Feminism is pro-women and pro-men, and the feminist agenda includes fighting for men’s equality in regards to child custody, rape culture, toxic masculinity, parental leave and gender stereotypes. However, feminism is often incorrectly assumed to be pro-female and anti-male, but feminism is not misandry, or “the dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against men” (Merriam Webster). Feminism is the belief and movement that attempts to raise women to the same societal status as men, not to bring men down. The confusion or misinterpretation is a result of some using feminism in the wrong context or by demonizing the word itself. For example, “femininazi” is a term or slur first popularized and used since the early 1990s by Rush Limbaugh, a conservative radio talk show host (Rudman). The term, a combination of feminist and Nazi, is often used disparagingly to talk about feminists. The political technique has had a good deal of success because many people don’t identify as feminist even though their beliefs on equality align. In some instances, feminism has somewhat become a dirty word without people actually knowing its true meaning. When asked if someone is a feminist, a common response is, “No! I don’t hate men!” This public attitude is partially due to the propaganda that has twisted the meaning of feminism. This technique is just one example of how some with opposing ideologies attempt to discredit feminism, but there has been significant push back from the feminist communities to re-empower the word,

The Webster’s dictionary is the definition that I agree most with concerning a true description of feminism as “the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities”. I do not define feminism with any of the stereotypes in our society that feminism just means women are expecting special treatment, it does not mean that feminist should hate anyone, or think that women are simply better than men. I define feminism as recognizing that both men and women are talented, intelligent and capable and should be experience equality, have the same rights and to be treated with respect. We should be working on building each other up, not tearing each other apart.

One of the most popular false beliefs about feminism is that it’s a female-only movement with the goal of female supremacy over the age old enemy, men. This commonly used misconception is usually heard spewing out of

This class did not necessarily change my attitude towards feminism, rather it served as a reminder as to why I choose to be a feminist. I have always considered myself a feminist and I have worked to promote equal rights in my community. I was very excited to take this course because I knew that it would teach me about influential women in history and emphasize why women’s rights are so important. But, this class exceeded my expectations and taught me a lot more important information than I thought it would. Intro to Women’s Studies expanded my knowledge on women’s issues and made me confident in my decision to identify as a feminist.