Why has the term feminist developed into an angry/evil word?

Question

The feminists I know only want choices and equal opportunities as men. They are normal women with opinions and goals. What is so scary about that?

Answer 1

Don't worry about it...only the ignorant think feminist = angry/evil.

Answer 2

This is my theory:

As soon as a person identifies with a group (such as feminists) they are immediately lumped together with every other person who has ever identified themselves by that same title.

As a result, women who define themselves as feminists join a group that contains many noble women while also containing a fairly large number of nutjobs. The second wave of feminism was the period in the history of the states where civil rights were the focus and women's rights were admittedly limited.

In order to gain ground, a number of these women had to be rabidly anti-establishment, which at the time meant anti-man, since men WERE the establishment. Additionally, many woman's response to the misogyny encountered was to become misandrists - i.e. man haters.

The other issue I personally have with the word feminism is it implies a separation and an "us against them" perspective that may (or may not) be unintentional. It implies contention and conflict. Language and words have power and changing their cultural significance can be difficult.

The second wave of feminism was strongly anti-house wife in its politics and that residue still clings to the word feminist whether you like it or not.

Personally, I believe every woman is a feminist just on account of being a FEMALE. Why make a point of labeling yourself as one unless you have an agenda?

Answer 3

Because most feminists seem to be angry and/or evil.

By choices and opportunities, I think most feminists mean "hand it to me because I'm a woman or I'll scream sexism." Playing the gender card if you will.

The reason why you will see fewer female CEOs and male nurses is because of the inherent differences between the two genders. Gender isn't only the "plumbing," it's how the brain is wired.

Answer 4

The Feminists have made that word what it is.

Eventually Feminist will be another F word we won't be able to use. Because it wiil classifies and offend the Feminists.

Answer 5

OK the thing is feminists are radicals, their ideaas are sometimes extreme, some women hate them cause men are treating us now like one of the guys and are not nice as they used to be.... and men, well some, feel feminists attack them.

Answer 6

You come on here and ask this question in various forms every now and then, but the answer will always be the same.

EQUALITY IS NOT WHAT FEMINISTS WANT.

Noone takes feminists seriously when they claim that anymore, despite how much they love to claim it.

haha sure feminists want choices. More choices than everyone else in fact.

You yourself mention that you want the choice to not be forced into motherhood. Presumably you are referring to reproductive rights like abortion here.. do men have the same reproductive rights? I don't think so. Listen to the feminists on here, if a man get's a woman pregnant he takes responsibility. Forget that you want the choice to opt out of that. You get choice, men get the bill. And men are FORCED TO PAY. That's how it works. Equality? I don't think so Rebel Yell.

Feminists want more than equal opportunities, they want equal outcomes for unequal skill and effort, the majority of them are openly marxist.

There are a myriad of double standards in women's favour that they will do nothing about. When asked why they don't (and they were recently on here), they simply stated the asker was silly and that people don't do what is not in their interests.

Feminists wants equal rights - how about the responsibilities that go with those rights: nuh uh don't want that.

It's a wash. Feminism was sold on the basis it was about equality, it has proven to be anything but. You had your chance and blew it. Lying about "what feminism is" is not going to help either.

Answer 7

I think feminism has been villified because it takes on such a traditional idea. The feeling that men are superior to and more intelligent than women has been around so long, and the large-scale movement to make them equals has only been around for 100 years. People who want to change things always have a rough go of it.

Answer 8

It's a word that evokes anger in men because they either feel guilty or frustrated by the term.

A lot of men are confused as they don't know quite how to behave toward women any more.

Answer 9

"Feminists" in general have taken on an almost militant, far-left persona that does not look very good to a lot of people. The embodiment of what "feminists" should be (equality and liberty for all) is demonstrated by the I-Feminists. See their site:

http://www.ifeminists.org

Answer 10

This is the first I've heard about it being an angry/evil word.
Feminists are a lot more feminine than they used to be.
It sounds like you're living in the past.
Your question would've been more appropriate 35 years ago.

Answer 11

I think because men are scared of women who consider themselves feminists, or are in any way powerful. So many are accustomed to feeling superior simply because they're male, that they don't always know what to do when that assumption is challenged, and they get angry.