Why do feminists become offended when...?

Question

Why do feminists become offended when someone such as Average Joe Smith says feminists do not fight for equality but rather for women's rights. Even some of the most respected feminists on this forum have admitted that feminism is a movement geared towards the advancement of women's rights. One feminist (who shall remain nameless) somewhat stated ''The definition of masculism is not included in the dictionary because it is a newer movement. The dictionary is somewhat outdated.'' Does this mean other definitions may also be outdated, including feminism's? If so, why does this feminist and multiple other use the dictionary's definition of feminism when arguing? What do you make of those two statements?

What I am looking for in best answer:
- Possible explanations.
- Sources supporting your statement(s) if possible.

What I am NOT looking for in an answer:
- Insults whether personal or not.
- Useless blabber (information copied and pasted from a source. If your answer interests me I will check the source out : this is what the source section is for.).

The above is merely a Guideline indicating how to receive a best answer. It does not have to be obeyed by any means.

I would have expected better answers from the feminists here.

Answer 1

This is a problem you need to take up with the makers of dictionaries. Perhaps you should read a bit about how dictionaries are made. It's called "lexicography." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexicography .

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, "masculinism" is ...

"Advocacy of the rights of men; adherence to or promotion of opinions, values, etc., regarded as typical of men; (more generally) anti-feminism, machismo.

1911 Freewoman 30 Nov. 24 Masculinism and feminism are relative terms, and when one is strong enough to equate the other both will become merged in a common doctrine of humanism.
1916 H. ELLIS Ess. in War-time viii. 88 The advocates of Woman's Rights have seldom been met by the charge that they were unjustly encroaching on the Rights of Man. Feminism has never encountered an aggressive and self-conscious Masculinism.
1985 E. SHOWALTER Feminine Malady (1987) vii. 173 That most masculine of enterprises, the Great War, the apocalypse of masculinism.
1988 G. NORTHAM Shooting in Dark (1989) vii. 118 Another section gives a sketch of official masculinism in the form of notes on the perils of Women and children in public protests."

"Feminist" is ...

"A. adj. Of or pertaining to feminism, or to women.
B. n. An advocate of feminism.

1894 Daily News 12 Oct. 5/5 What our Paris Correspondent describes as a ‘Feminist’ group is being formed in the French Chamber of Deputies.
1895 Critic 2 Feb. 90/2 The writer depicts Ford as the deepest ‘femininist’ in the Shakespearian constellation.
1898 Daily Chron. 15 Oct. 5/1 The lady Parliamentary reporter is the latest development of the feminist movement in New Zealand.
1904 Athenæum 26 Nov. 730/2 There have been feminists who claimed George Eliot as the rival of Thackeray.
1920 W. J. LOCKE House of Baltazar v. 56 We're out of this feminist hurly-burly.
1930 Manch. Guardian 15 Sept. 7/7 Feminists are rare birds in Russia."

"Feminism" is ...

"Advocacy of the rights of women (based on the theory of equality of the sexes).

1895 Athenæum 27 Apr. 533/2 Her intellectual evolution and her coquettings with the doctrines of ‘feminism’ are traced with real humour.
1908 Daily Chron. 7 May 4/7 In Germany feminism is openly Socialistic.
1909 Ibid. 29 May 4/4 Suffragists, suffragettes, and all the other phases in the crescendo of feminism."

Answer 2

Well, i understand your point, but you don't specify where did you find that a feminist got offended, so we can answer you with information. I am not sure why exactly was she offended.

Anyway, there are diferent conceptions of feminism, i guess it's a movement that have changed trougth the history.
In the past it was so obvious the need for the same rigths between women and men, because all the laws, and the tacit laws where so injust with women.

But i guess lately it's hardly a movement anymore, and it's become like an adverb, so you can be a feminist or not be a feminist. Even being feminist is diferent in everywomans mind.

Despite of all of this, i guess feminism will always have to be about the valoration and dignification of women, and everything that have to be done to get it.

So if it means equality, you have to figth for equal posibilities in jobs, schools, or even home.

And sometimes it involves the women's rigths, wich migth need to diferentiate from mens because of the nature, i mean, there is no need for men's rigth about the job when pregnancy.

Maybe there will be a moment where some man find out they need to figth for some rigths inherents only to men, if it happens, i would say welcome, as with any kind of groups that come togheter to make this a better world, and find better ways for the society to interact.

And about not to look in answers for - Insults. You are absolutely rigth. Besides you can always report it to Yahoo Answers team. And don't even give that kind of answers so much importance, just ignore it.

Answer 3

A definition is only as good as the legitimacy of the person making it and the context in which it is being defined.
If, for the sake of debate, I had defined a particular Male actor of the Civil War era as being , "The Finest Feminist Actor of Our Time", for His "female impersonations" would that definition still be relevant today? I should not think so. Definitions, like seasons, and the bed sheets in cheap Hotels, are changed with time. A lot of people are just coming to terms with that fact. Sorry, but the '60's, '70's, '80's, and even the 1990's are well and truly behind Us. It is now time to bring Our definitions up to speed, or be lost in a maelstrom of pedantic squabbling and political 'one-up-man-ship' over Who "owns" 'Feminism'.

Answer 4

No, it would not be OK. Don't you get it? Feminism is a form of fundamentalism. It's OK for them to do this kind of thing, because their cause is the only cause that is flawless and totally, 100% necessary for the good of the human race, even if other people don't realise it. Any other belief is fatally flawed. You cannot be a moderate member of the KKK. But you can be a moderate feminist, because it is the right thing to do.

Answer 5

Feminists are never real. Feminists feel that women are better than men. Feminists will complain about stripping and glamour modelling, saying that it's degrading to women. Actually they're just jealous that they don't have abody like the stripper. If they did i GUARANTEE they'd show it off a little. I know I would if i did

Answer 6

Because we're fighting for both, not one or the other. I'm interested in women's rights, of course, but not at the expense of men's rights, or black rights, or gay rights. These groups, women and blacks and gays, among others, typically have _fewer_ rights than men. For instance, women get paid less, even when taking into account education level, how many years they've been on the job, everything. I don't want women to get paid more; I just want to get as much as my male colleagues.

So feminists fight for equality, but with a special emphasis on equality for women. Many of us feminists are humanists, as well, meaning we just want to stop this racist, sexist, homophobia crap already. We don't want to drag white, straight men down (most of us don't; there are always crazies in every group, sigh); we just want to get the rest of us on their level.

Answer 7

Wife says....you have to say that equal for women IS for women....equal rights are women's rights!!Women seek advancement (rights) because the society is male dominated in this country. Yes, it comes down to a gender (black/white) issue....some women fight for women's rights to equal that of men's rights. Duh!

Masculism is not a word! In order to define a movement ("Masculism") there would have to be action......we men don't have to do anything for "equality"....
What are you thinking women's rights are batteling? Obviously to be equal with men in pay, respect, consideration, jobs, etc.

Answer 8

I didn't find a definition for masculinism; the closets I came to was masculinise, which means to make for masculine (female) and or use a bigger couch to make a room look more masculine.
I did find a definition for feminism and it say that feminism is the movement that was started for woman to achieve the same rights as their male counterparts.
With the definitions I just found, skating on thin ice, the two seem to compliment one another.
Now based upon the definition of masculinize I understand that some males and some females do not want the females to (masculinize) themselves and their getting the same rights will make it look like they are, of course I cannot speak for all of the male and female population, nor do I claim too; it's all in what picture you draw in your mind.

Answer 9

I am offended when someone of either sex says that feminists do not fight for equality but rather for women's rights. Bonus ignorant points to those who say feminists want special rights (whatever that is, haha?!?).

Feminists believe everyone should have equal opportunities for education, career, and family life.

Answer 10

Yes, feminists do fight for women's rights, just as masculists fight for men's rights. However, we do not seek to have more rights than men. We're just trying to gain the rights they have that we don't.

EDIT TO KSOILEAU: Today's feminism is less about gaining rights and more about gaining respect for using them.