What do feminism fight for?

Question

I dont understand why people have a negative perception on feminism. What's the deal with 'equal rights'? Can someone make it clear to me what precisely are women fighting for...equal rights in what sense?

Answer 1

I believe as any other matter, feminism can be taken in a wrong way. There are people who missunderstood it and defend this inthe wrong way.
I believe in feminism but part of it is the rigth of a woman to take the way she want, but make it rigth, giving the best.
I am a single mother, and i have worked all the time, since my baby was born and before, but besides of being a necesity it's my choice as well, i enjoy my profesion, i like my work, and i feel fulfilled.
On the other hand, i know i have made sacrifices, but eventougth i work i believe i have a great relation with my son, and he has learned a lot about responsabilities, so i'm raising a good man, and i have still been in charge of my house only with some help.
I understand Morgan, many woman who have chosen this path doesn't valorate a woman who stays at home, i my self do it, i believe that kind of work is even harder than the work i do, and is AS valuable as the work i do. I know housewifes and i have admired them as much as i've admired woman who has acomplished other kind of goal.
So from my perspective, feminism is and should be about the woman's rigth to choose her life, the woman's rigth for the same opportunities than men in the work, if i do the same, with the same quality, i deserve to get the same salary and the same raises and the same promotions as any man.
Is about the rigth to be recognized, in whatever is your activity - as long as you do it with all of your effort and do your best.
Is about the rigth of have the help of your partner, if you choose to go out and work you deserve to get help at home.
And yes, sometimes we like to be threated gently, but what is the problem with that, i believe that if a man can threat me gently and give me a flower or open my door, i would try to give him the things he enjoys, wich are not the same i enjoy, rigth?

Answer 2

Feminism is a vague term, and at the moment saying you are feminist will often in today's society make people see you as a man-hater. But in its truest form, feminism was a fight for women to be seen as being equal to men, and doing able to do the same thing s men could do, without being discriminated against based on their sex. Now you can say whatever you want about modern feminism and extreme feminism but the fact is feminism was originally purely an attempt to gain equal rights for women in area of pay, work etc.

In my opinion the term feminism should be laid to rest, if you believe in equal rights then call yourself an equalist, don't side with one side.

Answer 3

A feminist is not someone who only fights for women's rights. A feminist is someone who wants equal social, political, and economic rights for everyone. Most people just seem to think it's only for women's rights- which is something we fight for. Feminists directed at women's rights try to encourage women to assert themselves and make them realize their full potential. Feminists also try to stop oppression and stereotypes towards women. Stuff like people thinking it's the woman's job to take care of the home and that being her only duty. If you're really interested and want to know more, try reading the "Feminine Mystique." I've never actually read it, but it's supposed to be a really good book. It explains feminists' goals for women in the 1970's and explains why the movement took place.

Answer 4

Deidre O, you're right, chauvinists and racists see their privileges as rights, and want to keep those "rights" by denying others theirs. Feminism seeks to keep the balance equal.
And Fishman, if women were valued for those differences, there would be less for women to fight for. Even when a woman chooses to stay home to raise the children, she is seen as "less than"--and don't say that that is the fault of feminism, most feminists want ALL women to be regarded as valuable, whatever their choices are. (We also want women to have those choices in the first place, which is every human's right.) If you have gotten a different impression of feminism, then you are mistaken. Look at all the "questions" (of course, they're not "questions at all) posted by guys on here telling women they "belong" in the kitchen, "only good for...", etc. Are they making it as a statement of fact, or empowerment for those women that make those choices? No, they are using it as an insult. Do you think those guys got that from feminism? No, our culture doesn't value "traditional" women's roles, and it was like that way before feminism. Way, WAY before feminism. I think that a lot of people feel like feminism "blames" men for societies "ills." The majority of feminists see it as a cultural "juggernaut", men and women are each held in it's sway, and one is not more to blame that the other. It's simply "the way things are." Notice Deidre said "chauvinists" and "racists"--NOT all men, or else she would have just said, "men." Why is it every time a woman uses the term "chauvinist" you think she means ALL men? Anyway, it is a forgone conclusion that you and I are not going to agree on this, but at least we can agree to respectfully disagree.

EDIT--Fishman, that's just not how I see it. I KNOW we are different, I think it's society that sees those differences as weaknesses. Feminism seeks to value and empower women for their differences, it views them as completely human...and not always "fitting" into the roles that society would dictate. I'm looking forward to becoming a mother, raising my children will take precedence over everything else, because to me, there is nothing more important. But there are women (whom I know personally) who have NO business becoming mothers. They are about as nurturing as alley cats. So should they "have to" become mothers? I would certainly say absolutely not! In fact, I know a few women who should have never become mothers in the first place. They should have the choice to not do so, and women didn't always have the choice. Again, we see this differently, but I see feminism as teaching women to value whatever role they choose, and that society should value those choices as well.
As for feminism causing all of the vile and hateful things I see posted here (ALPHA MALE's post being a recent example) I'm not buying it. Misogyny has always been here, it always will be. Most men are honorable, but there is nothing new in the attitudes these guys express. It may have been a horrible childhood, a particularly bad marriage, or they are just hateful human beings, but how did feminism cause these men to hate women? Did the equal rights movement cause some white people to hate black people? The equal rights movement stopped a lot of lynchings. (Though, at the beginning, it may have caused more.)

Answer 5

Feminism, originally, was about the fight to gain equality between the genders. That is no longer the case. I know that there are women who call themselves feminists, and believe that the term refers to equality, but unfortunately these people aren't the ones writing social policy. They're not the ones who are demanding special consideration regarding physical standard entrance requirements for military, fire, and police jobs. They're not the ones lobbying family courts to grant custody in favour of the mother. They're not the ones demanding lower sentencing rates for women than men for the same crime. The ones saying that all heterosexual sex is rape. They're not the ones denying the existence of male victims of domestic violence. etc, etc, etc.
I have no problem with people who call themselves feminists, just the 'radical feminists' who seem to be the ones calling the shots.

Answer 6

equal rights often includes equal pay in the workplace, it includes the right for a woman to behave as freely as a man is able to. feminism of course is not a bad thing, it just means that women are still fighting for those rights that men enjoy. think of it, does a woman seem equal to a man in this society? if not, that's what feminism is fighting for.

Answer 7

The only people that have problems with feminism are those that have been misinformed by what it actually stands for. Anyone who takes the time to look the definition up in a dictionary can see that it clearly states that feminism deals with equality, not only for women but for everyone. This includes race, gender, age, ability etc. I don't have a problem with that but I would think that those who are chauvinist or racist etc would not want to see the balance of power corrected because they would lose the upper hand. They see their privilege as a right and don't want to share this with other oppressed groups. That is why they speak out against it vehemently and often mix fact and fiction to prove their points. All you need to do is look at some of the questions in this section to see how blatantly these misogynists distort facts or factoids as I prefer to call them, to support their bizarre theory of white, male supremacy over women. If it wasn't so pathetic it would be rather humorous.

Answer 8

I don't understand why fairness and equality is so offensive to some people, but judging from many answers on here, I guess it is!
I am a feminist...that doesn't mean I want to be above men, or control men, I just want control over my own life. Feminists have fought for the right for women to vote, for girls to have an equal education, for women to be admitted to colleges, for equal funding to be given to girls sports and boys sports, and for women to be involved in politics. Currently, feminists fight for equality in pay (if you have the same degree and experience as a man in the same job, you will be paid about 20% less than him simply because you are a woman), to end stereotyping (the idea that women can't do "men's" work, and that we are controlled by hormones and can't think logically) and for society and the media to portray women as fully human, with thoughts and opinions of our own, rather than as sex toys to be used and thrown away. Basically, we just want gender equality. No one should be judged by their gender, just as no one should be judged by their race. These are things we don't have control over, and everyone deserves to have control over their own life and be judged by their actions and beliefs.

Answer 9

the deal? If you have to ask, you haven't yet been the best qualified or the best informed person in the room and still be passed over for someone who's only qualification is the y chromosome. It is a cry to be seen as talented human beings first. NOT a pair of breasts and other equipment that someone either does or doesn't want to DO. A life ;a real life ; one that lets us chose partners as partners NOT as caretakers.

Answer 10

present day feminism is all approximately double standards and specific therapy for ladies (subsequently contradicting the unique "equality" thought) and conserving adult males in charge for all their issues. present day feminism now no longer serves a purpose in society as a political group, in basic terms such as you suggested women folk have completed equivalent rights and danger, so why the ought to save calling your self a feminists in the experience that your objectives have been met? present day feminism is an exceedingly egocentric concept.