Shira Tarrant: Feminism For Men

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.

There are many different types of feminists, there are Radical Feminists who are the most extreme in voicing their opinion about gender and the rights of women. There are Conservative Feminists, who adopt and appreciate the male need for a career and public achievement as female goals, thereby denying women 's need for intimacy, family, and children. There are Liberal Feminists, they see everyone as equal. They believe sexism as a dysfunction in society. There are also Social Feminists, who link gender differences to class as well. They see it as sexism rewards the working class male and allows them control

Feminism can be defined as “the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.” It is something that is debated all throughout society today. However, the problem of whether or not women should be equal to men has been around for much longer than any of us.

Feminism has become an ugly word. Some say it does not even live up to its definition anymore. However, the definition remains unchanged in the pages of history. Webster’s Third New International Dictionary’s definition of Feminism reads, “The theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” If one digs deep into this definition, beyond the surface of society’s view on feminism today, one can see that feminism would benefit both sexes. The true ideals of feminism break down gender roles, thus benefitting men, women and future generations.

Feminism in the 1960’s-1980’s is a very different concept than Feminism in the 21st century. Back in the 60’s, feminism meant to fight for equal rights. Now, modern feminism means women-dominance. While the dictionary definition of feminism is “a range of political movements, ideologies and social movements that share a common goal: to define, establish, and achieve equal political, economic, cultural, personal, and social rights for women”, many modern feminists take this to the point of fighting for the “right” for women to dominate men. Many modern feminists support female superiority, rudeness, and demonizing men.

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.

The modern definition of feminism: “an ideology that, in its most basic form, directly opposes sexism by supporting gender equality and portraying women and men as equal.” (Finsterbusch 59). This definition was the early direction towards treating women like human beings rather than a housebound body, and this is why feminism should not be viewed as a harmful ideology. By exemplifying the importance of the ideology of feminism, by refuting those who claim that women have used feminism to exploit their personal wants and desires, and by presenting women’s first hand encounters of inequality, case studies, sound arguments and documented research one will be persuaded that the ideology of feminism is not discrimination towards men, but rather an encouragement for a woman’s rights and equality.

There are many branches of feministic theorems. As Judith Lorber wrote in her article, The Variety of Feminisms and their Contributions to Gender Equality feminist denominations arose from different views, making many contributions to improve women’s status. Lorber discusses the views of, “gender reform feminisms, gender resistant feminisms, and gender revolution feminisms…”(1) etcetera, all which have fought to improve women’s rights. Though there are many different aspects of viewing feminism, writer and contributor of owl.purdue.edu, Allen Brizee suggests that the main ideology that holds those aspects together is the oppression of women in general. Though, it is when talking about male dominance, women’s resistance, and women’s social

Why is the feminist lens focused only on one perspective: females?. Throughout history females have being oppressed by sexism and racism ideologies, not only based on gender differences, but in skin color and body shape as we see in today’s society. Due to this reason, can men do Feminist theory?. To illustrate, “[men] do not have the life experiences of belonging to an oppressed group and [do not have] shared personal stories that reveal their wounds from patriarchy”(Klocke). This demonstrates that men can not be in the feminist theory because they didn't suffered the struggle and the pain that many women experienced in order to gain their natural rights. Moreover, of course males can relate and be part of the theory, but the main focus will

Feminism is the belief that men and women are equal and it advocates women’s rights for social, political, and economical equality to men. Feminism significantly changed the way society views women because it challenged and demanded the inclusion women in social and political circles in a very patriarchal society. There were

There needs to be more men who are aware of the social inequalities in the world. Despite the fact that men who speak out against discrimination for women are considered “wimps”, should consider that they are contributing and diminishing prejudice that will make the world a better place. Being a feminist is not only a womans political position should challenge the male gaze.

Through the past few years more and more women consider themselves feminist and for good reason. Women have been oppressed for years and have made some progress to where we want to be. Sure we can vote and own property but we are still experiencing gender inequality, we have unnecessary gender labels on everyday items, making excuses for rape culture and our reproductive rights are in jeopardy.

Men who do undertake action in support of feminism are not in for an easy ride. They are likely to be met with antagonism and derision from other men, picturing them as eunuchs, queers or sell-outs to "political correctness." They will not necessarily get warm support from feminists--some of whom are deeply suspicious of all men, most of whom are wary of men 's power, and all of whom make a primary commitment to solidarity with women. An academic man teaching a feminist course, for instance, may be seen as taking resources away from women, and asserting men 's cultural rights over all areas of knowledge, as often as being seen as an ally. One action, or a limited form of action, is hardly enough.

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).

Many times in life men do not think that women can do the same things that they can; whether it’s picking up boxes or being president. There will always be that “macho man” thought of the man being stronger than the woman. In many jobs women might do the exact same thing that men do except men are getting paid more than women even if it is an insignificant amount, it happens in many places and even though many people disapprove of it there are still jobs like that out there. And there are still employers who think that a woman should not be in the work force if so home. Many feminist have been working to solve this problem and there are still people who are working to solve and change many more of these problems, and even though in some places it doesn’t seem like it, feminism and feminists