is feminism only for females?
2006-09-14 00:25:09 · 10 answers · asked by ray_phoenix_03 1 in Social Science ➔ Gender Studies
Ofcourse. Believing in the rights and equality of women is not gender specific.
2006-09-14 00:35:19 · answer #1 · answered by beany 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
To me, it's a matter of semantics and definition. I recognize that no man can ever FULLY understand all of the issues facing women. Many of them can understand that they don't understand, and do their best to aid the cause, all the while recognizing and being willing to give up their privilidge. If you only call the former a "feminist", then men can't do that. If you see it as a political word, then sure they can.
Something odd in the GLBT community (on a similar note): more and more people who are solely attracted to the opposite sex, and who identify as cisgendered, are calling themselves "queer" as a political banner. Being that these are pretty different circumstances....that raises some serious issues.
2006-09-17 19:59:30 · answer #2 · answered by Atropis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i've heard it both ways. some say that men can be feminists. some say that men can only be allies to feminism, since they still profit from the privilege that society grants them. i'm not sure which i believe, but i lean more towards the idea that men can be feminists.
i like that someone else asked this question, i did months ago, and Yahoo! took mine down. :(
2006-09-14 09:00:29 · answer #3 · answered by ohsocynical 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's one thing for a man to empathize with a woman and women's issues, it's another to understand them from a female point of view. You know the old saying, "to understand someone you have to walk a mile in their shoes"?
Men will never understand women until they
1. have had years of terrible period cramps and/or PMS
2. have had to wait in long long lines when they have to pee because some guy designed public bathrooms with the same number of stalls for the women's room as the men's room.
3. have suffered delivery pains.
4. have been sexually harassed on the job
5. have been passed over for a promotion that was given to a guy with half their brains and experience.
6. Had a guy tell them he doesn't want to use protection, and that they won't get pregnant just this once.
Then they can talk about REALLY understanding women's issues....all of them.
2006-09-14 11:57:45 · answer #4 · answered by Bobbie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes a male can be a feminist. If he is aware of the issues that face women. My old university lecturer used to say that he was as he was aware that women writers are not in the literary canon and is doing what he can to ensure that more are. He asked the question of how many books written by women have we read none of the men had recently, certainly opened my eyes!
2006-09-14 00:34:47 · answer #5 · answered by andham2000 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes. Feminism is a philosophy and touches on politics and other subjects. It is not a gender per se.
2006-09-15 13:41:27 · answer #6 · answered by Bronweyn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A feminist is someone who cares about women's rights and want's equality for men and women. I'm a Women's Studies minor, there are a lot of men in my classes
2006-09-16 18:15:30 · answer #7 · answered by crowscraver 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course. There are many kinds of feminisms just as there are many kinds of people.
2006-09-16 10:22:55 · answer #8 · answered by sillygirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably, as I am moreof a feminist than most of my female friends.
I scold them when the give excuses for their partner not doing anything at home :D
2006-09-14 01:17:15 · answer #9 · answered by boulash 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No. All human being can believe that everyone deserves equal rights. Males who are feminist have the courage to stand up for what they believe. Welcome
2006-09-14 01:08:25 · answer #10 · answered by irongrama 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋