Why does the word feminist arise so much hate and anger in people? Why is it such a dirty thing to be aware?

Question

of the struggles of women, or appreciate what women do or perhaps realize they are capable of more than cooking, cleaning and breeding? People on this site use the word "feminist" like it is a cuss word, why?

Women make up over half the population of the world and our opinions DO matter, I mean we have to live here too, you know. We DO have eyes, a brain and the ability to reason--so why does a women who thinks for herself so scary to men and even some women. What do you think the feminists want---what evil plan do you feel they are trying to hatch? And how will their evil plan affect you directly?

When viagra is covered by insurance but breast prosthetics (not implants) for mastectomy patients aren't then there still is a BIG need for feminists.

Plus, there are millions of oppressed women around the world...I speak for them too.

Yes sheeny it is--go to the politics/government section, you will find it there.

Answer 1

It's a great word, and it's been co-opted by small, scared, immature, insecure men to mean a lot of things it's not. Basically everyone these days is a feminist, whether they know it or not.

Thanks to feminism, we have the right to own land, own our own bodies, manage our own money, go to school and university, work where we want to doing what we want to, and thanks to feminism, science and chemistry, we can decide if we want children at all, and if we do, how many, when to have them, and how far apart to space them. Who but a caveman or someone spectacularly insecure would think any of this is a bad thing?

Feminists want what all women have wanted from the time of Chaucer's writing of the Wife of Bath: sovereignty. We want sovereignty over our own lives and our bodies. We want to be trusted just because we are who we are. We want to be trusted that we know what we're doing, and that we'll make the best decisions possible, and if we don't make good decisions, then we don't need to be protected from ourselves. We're capable of taking the consequences of any and all poor decisions.

As for any idiot who says we don't need feminism, they're insane. Women get paid less. Women are still being raped. Crimes against women are still occurring. In India, female infanticide is still occurring, and in China, female fetuses are still being aborted. Women CEOs are still less than 10% in major companies, and we still haven't yet had a female president. Sexual harassment and sexual discrimination are still going on. And so feminism goes on.

Those people who want to reduce women to basic terms (those who see women as only breeders or homemakers) are themselves reduced. These people have a hard time seeing themselves as more than just basic parts, so they can't see anyone else as a fully-developed human being, either. That lack of full-sightedness is what feminism seeks to remedy. Women need to be seen as more than just bodies, but as minds, souls, hearts. Women need to be seen as being full of human potential.

Nothing is evil about humanism, especially the type of humanism that says that you are here on Earth to be the best person you can be, and it's your responsibility, be you male or female, to develop your potential. This is what feminism is about.

And if that's evil... well, then, I'm happy to be an evil feminist who's living up to my potential and being the best person I can be every day, by having gotten two university degrees, becoming a teacher and giving knowledge every day to my students, and also developing all my hobbies and interests. I consider myself an intellectual and a Renaissance woman, and I encourage all my students to be their best, as well as everyone I know. That's because I'm a feminist, and I see the potential in people, not just basic "parts is parts".

After all, from the great quote attributed to Nelson Mandela, "Your playing small does not serve the world...Who are YOU not to be great?" Feminism wants greatness for men and women. Don't be turned off by the small-minded right-wing radio show hosts who demonize this powerful word. Don't be turned off of feminism by zealots; after all, we need zealots to push the message further. Be great. Don't be small. Encourage others around you to be their best. That is true feminism!

Cheers, hope this helps. Good luck. -- K

Answer 2

I think that it is backlash. I think that our generation have been trained to consider feminist a bad word to keep us from allowing more change to happen, just because change is uncomfortable to all people involved.

When people ask me if I am a feminist, I reply with "I believe women deserve equal rights with men, and I am willing to stand up to the injustices they face."

As far as women and men now being considered equals in today's society, I don't believe that to be completely true. Yes, women now have a choice- they can work in the home or have a career. I think it would be great if our society could advance to the point where women don't have to decide because both partners are equally willing to pitch in and make the family thing happen, rather than the women being expected to make it happen. At this stage of the game, women's careers still suffer more than men's when children are introduced. Granted, a career is going to suffer- that is part of the sacrifice of having children. However, I think that a father should be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of children, as well. Maybe if our society expected this, men would stop taking off when parenthood and marriage goes through the not-so-fun times.

Not only that, but women do not get paid equally. Nor do they experience the same freedom to explore their sexuality (without being labelled as 'sluts'. Less than one-third of our politicians are female even though over half the population is female. Many churches believe that women cannot hold positions of power. And the list goes on and on and on. The people that say women have it good now are obviously still upset about the changes made in the past century, and lack the perception to see how things are today versus how they really should be.

Answer 3

'Cause people are stupid *******.

I think someone previously mentioned that the only exposure feminists get are the super-radicalized ones. People still seem to be ignorant of the fact that in 2006 women are still paid less than men, there's never been a woman president, etc. Anti-feminism is also a part of the anti-abortion movement. Abortion - the idea that a person has control over their own body. Wow, what a novel concept. How 1970's. So yeah, people want to transport our culture back almost 40 years.

The only conclusion that makes any sense is that they are either deeply stupid or they're complete *******. Being as how I think such people should be punished with prison time, I pick that they're complete and total *******.

Answer 4

I consider myself to be a feminist because I want women to be equal and for people to realize what they're capable of, but I don't personally use the word feminist because the feminists that get the attention anymore/attract the media are male-bashing women. That's not what a feminist, but the title of feminist has become an image, a character, and rarely do you see other types getting exposure.

Answer 5

I think you have already answered your question. There is a lot of predjudice in this world and I don't know of any real answer. If you have noticed the news, last tuesday our country elected the first woman to ever be the speaker of the house and is third in line for President of our country. Hang in there young lady and some day you may be our next woman president.

Answer 6

It scares men cause it means they have to turn their own dirty socks right-side out before washing them and that they'll have to change a few dirty diapers too.
50+ years ago we couldn't get a job worth any real $$$, so it was only fair that we did all the housework. But that's not the case anymore; now that we pay half of the bills, we should only do half the housework.

Answer 7

Hahaha - women are still being dissed!? Wow..the people making such demeaning comments must seriously be living in one of the following areas - the mid-west, south, deep south, or Utah, because where I'm from (the north-east), we respect our women and treat them as equals, and we view anyone who thinks otherwise to be backward and inane, to say the least, and they do not deserve to live in freedom.

Answer 8

THE FALSELY PRECONCIEVED INFERIOR WOMEN COMPLEX

there is absolutly no need for feminist in todays age. It had a purpose and women are equals.. Now anywomen still a feminist just has a complex just the same as the short man or big man complex... same thing

they need to realize that everything is cool and they don't need to complain anymore.


a women can be a stay at home mom or a ceo... they can even go in the military and will be treated just the same whether they like that or not.


be happy with yourselves. The word feminism is bad becaues it brings to point a difference between men and women which is counter productive to the main point in the first place.


feminist today are just a sisterhood of man haters fighting a war that ended many years ago

Answer 9

People who hate the word feminism probably hate females in general. Or they can't stand someone standing up to fight for their rights. Maybe they would be happiest if everyone just lay down and let themselves get walked on.

Answer 10

I didn't realize this was taking place. Are you sure you are not a little sensitive?