Does it make sense to coin a new word instead of "feminism"?

Question

As I understand it, feminism means fighting for equal rights for women, nothing more. But many people in the US put into this word a completely different meaning: They think that feminism means female masculinity, hatred for men and so on.

This causes some confusion. These two meaning need to be separated from each other.

Only an idiot would object to full equality for women. Only an idiot would want to deprive his own mother, sister, daughter, etc. of basic human rights and equality. Right? If so, why don't we coin a separate word for women who are fighting for equality?

And the word "feminism" we can continue using to describe hatred of men, etc.?

Answer 1

I must respectfully disagree. Feminism IS the accurate term for the movement.

Feminism is about the advancing the interests of women, not necessarily "equality."

It plays well politically and socially to say that it promotes "equality." After-all, who could argue with that?!?!

In reality, though, they (it) promote agendas to advance what they perceive to be the interests of (some) women - regardless of any "inequalities" created that disadvantage men and/or children.

They support legislation and other outcomes that don't result in "equality", rather advantages for women.

So, feminism is clearly the correct term. A neutral term would not be accurate.

Answer 2

Feminism is a reminder of history, of hierarchy and of how easy humans can oppress one another. I often wonder if it would be more beneficial to change the word feminism, because the newest wave of feminism isn't about equality for men or women, it is about human equality and the complete deconstruction of both notions: masculinity and femininity.

However, I recognize that feminism is a movement that has already been established. A new word might require a new movement which takes a lot of time to build with chances of being snuffed out. Feminism's opposition is already pretty clearly defined (In part, Thanks Rush for the bad publicity and fallacious claims against feminism and for the phrase "feminazi". I hope that all the people who bash feminism go and do a little research about you.)

I feel that many anti-feminists are not up to date on what is happening with and because of gender (i'll cite the first poster here as an example).

Why change the name feminism to attract people who are seeking equality for humans in general, if those people aren't already seeking it? (However, humanism is something that I would consider) If someone is content to believe that we already have it, when gender itself is socially segregated behavioral expectations, then I don't know if a name change would do much good. It takes the active to reach for equality, not the apathetic.

I was raised conservative christian, my dad was a member of Promise Keepers, a men's group dedicated to teaching men how to run their houses and "take charge" of the family, including their wives. My first introduction to feminism was through the term "feminazi" spoken by someone who clearly didn't understand feminism. This did not deter me from learning about gender inequality, gender equality, nor from learning that feminism is not about oppressing men and bringing about matriarchy (any system based on social hierarchy, whether matriarchy, patriarchy, or other, lends to the oppression of one or more groups by another).

Gender policing is exactly a reason why we still have gender inequality today.

Answer 3

"However as you can see there are many here that prefer to continue to bash feminism because they are intimidated by strong, courageous women who fight for the rights of the oppressed and those who are discriminated(sic) against."

The people that bash feminism on this board are not INTIMIDATED by any strong and.or courageous woman. They are OUTRAGED by misandrists and greedy women who deny injustices committed against men (or whites) while pushing for extra rights (like "potty parity") for women.

Do you think anybody on this forum actually believes oppression should continue? Of course not. Humans generally don't like seeing other humans injured (unless they are angered by them) or oppressed.

What upsets sensible people is pushing for extra rights like affirmative action. While I think it's a great idea to help the poor (NOT the minorities; skin should have no determination on what sort of benefits you get) out with college and the like, efficiency at a job should not be sacrificed just to fill a quota. Examples abound everywhere in which a minority who scored lower on an examination landed a job while a white man who scored higher didn't.

Feminists (at least some) talk about how there aren't enough female engineers and the like, assume it's because of patriarchy, and want to even out the numbers. They want to set aside programs and funds for women in science while some young boys are struggling to read. They have no problem with the increase in female attendance at universities, however; as women become the majority at college, feminists can think to complain only of disparity in the technical fields.

THAT is a measure of inequality sustained in part by a truly oppressive system supported by feminist groups.

To answer the question after that long peace, yes; many people, myself included, propose an update to "humanism" as the word of choice.

Answer 4

Thanks for clarifying this question of what feminism means. However as you can see there are many here that prefer to continue to bash feminism because they are intimidated by strong, courageous women who fight for the rights of the oppressed and those who are discrimated against. This is not only inclusive of women but minorities, religions, disabled, poor, etc.
I think that no matter what term is used that those who fight against equality will find a way in which to associate it with negative images in order to debase it's true course.
I don't know a single feminist that identifies with hating men. This is just a ruse to discourage women from understanding the truth behind the movement.

Answer 5

Feminism is not simply for equal rights of the sexes, but equal value of gender characteristics. It is called "feminism" because that which is considered feminine is undervalued because women are undervalued.

For example, pink is considered a sissy color, even though 300 years ago it was masculine. Being emotional is considered being weak and attributed to females. Brute strength is valued over tolerance of pain because men possess it. And so on.

Answer 6

Feminism can be divided into two streams: Egalitarian and supremacist. Egalitarians, like myself, believe that the genders should peacefully coexist with the same rights. Supremacists, like Baba Yaga, believe that women are superior to men and tend to blame everything on the patriarchy. Still, we are all feminists, working for the advancement of women. We just voice it differently.

Answer 7

Are your ball's fitting nicely in bubba's pocket. Because i don't think you have penis. YOu might have at one time, but it must have been immediately cut off and friend and you were probably forced to eat it. yumm? hmm? Feminism is the stupidest load of pig crap this CUNTry's ever seen. We should all listen to the countries that objectify their woman and bich slap em real nice. Women were created for the sole purpose of serving men - answering their every beck and call without givin us any lip - lest i pop her in her hoass mouth. women are inferior in every way. I slap em and rule em and hit em

Answer 8

Why don't we just kill feminism, and find something for equal treatments of both sexes? Such as humanist or equalitarian or something. Even you admitted that feminism is for women. Don't think men are ever oppressed huh? Go out in the real word.

Answer 9

Just call it misandry or matriarchism (is that even a word LOL).

Women HAVE equal opportunity. That's fine. But a feminist sees that 90% of mechanics are men and swears up and down women are being discriminated against--when 1) men are generally better at that kind of thing and 2) most women just aren't interested, and it has almost nothing to do with how they were raised!

The gender police aren't happy until EVERYTHING is 50-50.

Not. Going. To. Happen!