What do you know about anti-feminism, masculism, or men's rights activism (Read question details, please)...?

Question

This is an important question. Anti-feminism and the rest of the social movements noted above (probably necessarily) tends to be heavily criticized by feminists as working to "turn back the clock" or deny women rights.

This argument, of course, is akin to saying that feminists are simply working to secure more rights for females without regard to their impact on males (and are misandric). Since we all know from constant testimony and rhetoric that this is absolutely absurd (...), why do (some) feminists still seem to think these groups are vehemently anti-women's rights?

Let me explain. I am (in certain respects) an anti-feminist. Why? Because I am critical of SOME aspects of feminism (or what it allows), such as allowing a shirt saying "Boys are stupid, throw rocks at them" to be sold while a reverse statement would never be tolerated by any company, no matter if a male OR female was running it.

Anti-feminists do not all belong to a radical group- many, like myself...

...simply don't agree with aspects of feminism (or feminist programs/legislation/aspects of society) where women are unjustly given an advantage merely because they are female (to the detriment of males).

I am not advocating the reduction of rights for women- I am advocating the reduction of unfairness, as many other men's rights groups are. Feminism is supposed to be about equality. It doesn't always live up to that standard, which is why critical males (and some critical females) disagree with its contributions and its dictionary definition as truthful and accurate.

I stress that I AM IN FACT a feminist in the dictionary sense of the word, but that I see certain negative impacts tied to feminism that I do not agree with- therefore, I do not identify myself as a "feminist," but rather as a "humanist."

Overall question: Were you aware that the social movements noted above do NOT have to be anti-female, and often are not in reality?

Answer 1

I am against radical, Dworkin-style feminism as much as I'm against radical Islam or radical conservatism. I am an egalitarian feminist, despite what others may think of me. You agree that women should have the same rights and opportunities as men; other anti-feminists don't. Or if they do, they don't bother to say so.

Misogynists and misandrists are both despicable. (I know this now. I didn't when I was 16 and describing myself as a militant, when I didn't even know what that really meant.) If you think that men and women aren't or shouldn't be equal in worth (as Alexandra does, I just found out), you are one of these.

Besides which, not all feminists blindly follow their party line. I've deviated from it more than once. I think my way and my way only. And, more often than not, that way just happens to be the feminist way. Big deal.

Answer 2

"Boys are stupid, throw rocks at them" is no worse than big breasted women wearing a t shirt that says " Don't stare at these" which of course people especially men are going to stare.

Yes I agree with the equality of men and women and how women should not be expected to 1) stay at home having babies, 2) men dont need to be the head of the household or the dominant one in a partnership, 3) women require discipline by their husbands etc etc. In fact I always thought that feminism was about equality - men and women being treated equaly but then I see some women who actually wnat to be men and hate other men and look down on women. I hear women calling men "boys" which is a derogetary expression to take away a mans male hood - this is what the white massas would call the black slaves "boys". I hear some outragious claims by milliatant feminists and shake my head. And yes there is an unfair advantage to women - or maybe a disadvantage like having so many places for women in politics - women need to earn these places not be given them as a "favour". Its quite condescending. Or having a special needs group at work which includes women and mothers - something else which is quite insulting. Then there are the views held by women that men need to be dominant, need to be head of the household, that feminsts are responsible for the worlds ills etc etc. Mens rights are compromised by milliatant feminists and this has included a nausiating process of keeping male children back a year because they dont mature as much as girls.

Answer 3

You are not an anti-feminist. End of story.

I had to copy and paste this quote from an absolutely brilliant member of this forum.

"What we need is a male oriented equivalent of feminism (by "male oriented" I mean a group that reevaluates men's issues in society- not antifeminist in the least, but rather a complement to feminism) working in conjuction WITH feminists rather than against them."

In the words of Mr. Big: abso-fvcking-loutely.

Answer 4

Funny you should post this question so soon after this one was.

http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AmetZAHdgZVqoEn_O0O9aQjAFQx.?qid=20070427134420AA7SOQ9
To me this encapsulates all the abuse that is heaped on feminists on a non stop basis in this forum. We have been called lesbians, dykes, femnazis, old, ugly, fat, hairy each and every single day for months and months. When we finally get angry and retaliate we are threatened with lawsuits. Which I personally find completely absurd. We have no right to freedom of speech and I think that describes the other groups campaign against women. They want to own them completely. Their spirits, souls, mind, emotions and finally completely control their physical bodies. Check Michel Foucault and his theory on The Panoplicon. That sums up perfectly what anti feminist misogynists want and expect. I am a 6' tall woman, I will not be turned over someones knee and spanked. 'Nuff said.

Answer 5

Robinson,
I don't care if you are Anti-Feminist or not.
I also don't care one whit what you think of me.
Do you just want to be liked--is that the deal?
Many, many posts of yours are just so,so similar in tone.
Same question, different guise.
To answer your question-your example is kind of like the Whites telling the Blacks during the fight for Civil Rights "We like you, we just want you to be equal on our terms".
"In some ways, I am Anti-feminist..because I am critical..."
No one should wear T-shirts with disparaging slogans, but that's life in a country with freedom of speech.
That's also what gives each of us the right to post our opinions on here.
You should really watch those violations of TOS.
It's not nice to name names at YA.
Good luck
EDIT: Men are not the problem. Men's unwillingness to view women as equals and share the power they possess with women is the problem.