Feminism in 2007. What does it mean to you?

Question

I would like to hear from some people on what the current definition of feminism is. I'm a child of the 70's and the people I talk to don't seem to have a clear cut idea of what it means to be a feminist in 07. It seems to have changed and the definition is rather evasive. I wonder if this might just be the southern society that I live in. I would like to learn more.
Your opinions please?

Answer 1

I've been trying to ask the same question to people in the Women's category. I am only in high school, so I am kind of ignorant and "wet behind the ears". Most guys and ladies have helped me to understand the definitions, but a couple of people complained to me that I had asked for definitions of feminism and radical feminism below:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Auu4URlD.Qsf8qj4fijnKynsy6IX?qid=20070723221251AAOkc06

I told them that people may have their own meaning for each word. My parents were born in the 70's. I hope that since you lived in that era, that you would stay with us in the Gender and Women's category because of your experience. We have some very young radical feminist and male chauvinists that have and are ruining this section for many good men and women.
I, along with others, can use your experience and guidance to get thru the rough times in this section and in life.
I'm glad that you are here with us. I hope that you send me an e-mail. Thank You!

Answer 2

So much has been gained. It's time to slow down, appreciate what's been achieved, and take a look at treating good men better, whether you're a feminist or not. There is still a ton of work to be done in non-western societies, but it's much more effective to tend to your own garden.
I'm tellin' ya, treating good men better and leaving worse men to their own devices will have more of an effect than just about anything else. This wasn't always true, but I assure you it is now.

Answer 3

A cause that has become basically irrelevant in these United States. Women fought for and now have more legal protections and rights than men in Western nations.

But, they are still fighting for rights that women already have - to do or be whatever they want. They can work any job, go to any school, or whatever else they want. No idea why feminists are still so angry at men. The only thing they can possibly be fighting for are additional rights not open to men or for women in the third world, who are abused.

Answer 4

One person said "To want to have the same opportunities and rights that a man does in out society, and no double standards"

Ha Ha how funny is that! They are not for equal treatment ie equal pay for equal work and so on. they are for benificial treatment. You dont see them compaining about jobs where the rwuirements for men are much higher than the requirements for women.

I worked for the sheriff's departments in the area I grew up in. when i tested for the job I had to take a physical test. I was required to run 1 1/2 miles in 13 minutes and had to bench press 85% of my body weight. a woman going for the same job only had to run 1/2 mile in 9 minutes and bench press 40% of their body weight. upon getting hired we would make the exact same amount of money with the same time on job.

Ladies night reduced drink cost for women when is men's night.

why are they not upset about these diffrences. they want benificial rights.

If there are 10 people standing at work 2 women and 8 men and a large shipment arrives who do you think will be sent to unlad it.

equal means equal and there are times women get the shaft but that shaft has 2 ends and the men get it too.

Just look at child custody and divorce cases to see that

Answer 5

It means that the new generation is completely ignorant and probably doesn't even know what a feminist is. and also that hardly anybody will respond to your post other than a 14 year old girl like myself who is a hippy at heart.

Answer 6

Feminism means the same as it did to me in the 70's, women and men are striving for equality; we'd like more choices in how to live our personal and professional life. We don't want to be limited by gender stereotypes of what "men" should do or by what "women" should do, we want to be able to make choices based on our interests and abilities.

Answer 7

The definition hasn't changed a bit. Just look in the dictionary.

Answer 8

I can only think of a small part of it right now - tip of the iceberg really -

Feminism is mothers rights, but no fathers rights.

Its women being treat like princesses in prison and men being treat like animals

Its bodily choice for women, but forced genital mutilation for baby boys

Its female reporters allowed in men’s locker rooms, but privacy and respect for female athletes

Its generating a mythical pay gap so women will be able to earn more than men some day through misguided legislation

Its women getting everything in a divorce, and men being torn away from their children

Its Female sex offenders being slapped on the wrist, but male sex offenders being incarcerated the rest of their lives

Its men being sentenced to more time for the same crime than women

Its a feminized education system that cripples natural behavior of boys, then girls claiming they are smarter

Its women being allowed to drown five children and using the fact she is a woman to get away with it

Its women being allowed to use domestic violence as an excuse to murder a sleeping husband, even though there is no evidence of domestic abuse

Its men being jailed for defending themselves against a an abusive wife, but called a wimp if he takes the abuse

Its women demanding respect from men, but never having to respect them in return

Its women having the choice between abortion, adoption, dropping an unwanted baby off at a hospital, raising the child with a father, or raising the child without a father, but the only choice men have is to agree

Its women labeling men as abusive when the US government has shown women cause more child abuse than men.

Its female rape being horrendous, but male rape being funny and made in to comedy movies

It’s more health care spending going towards women’s health even though men live an average of 5 years less. Breast cancer receives 7 times the funding of prostate cancer.

Its allowing women only clubs and banning men only clubs

It’s doing everything we can to help girls in math and science, but letting boys fall further behind in everything else.

It’s defining equal pay for equal work as men playing five sets of tennis, but women only playing three. Maybe women claiming 3=5 is the reason for the above point

Its cutting men’s sports in college in favor of women’s sports that have no interest

Its female murderers being mentally ill, but male murderers just being evil

Its claiming men walk out on their family when its actually women who file 80% of divorces

Its men being portrayed as evil, stupid or buffoons on TV and all women being perfect or superior

Its women wanting equality for their gender, but men being called chauvinist pigs when they want equality for their gender

Its fixing the education system when girls are failing, and blaming the boys when boys are failing

Its women being allowed to level false accusation against an innocent man without consequence

Its women claiming they are the ones oppressed, whilst ignoring all the above and more.

Answer 9

Diamond car insurance.

Also stuff like sheila's wheels, just loads of adverts for car insurance and creams to treat "feminine itch" whatever that is. The vagisil adverts always crack me up.

Answer 10

Want to hear a joke? Feminism!