Feminists: are you a gender or equity feminist?

Question

''i am a feminist, period''
This really doesn't answer the question so I'll take it you're a gender feminist.

Answer 1

If equity feminist means one that wants complete equality with men, then there seems to be no such persons.

Feminists will always maintain that they want equality, but then retreat into "men and women are still different" just prior to justifying inequality when they feel that it is appropriate.

I have never heard or read about a feminist who didn't have *some* circumstance(s) where she justified some unequal treatment in favor of women.

If they truly were for equality, they would simply say, "treat women no different than men, period."

EDIT:

My friend KA1227 well illustrates the point. She seems to indicate that the "ideal" of feminism and the reality don't match. A fancy way, I think, of saying that equality is not always practical in real life. So, feminists are allowed to chose inequality when equality is a pain, but still claim to be for equality. How convenient.

This is why they should rather refer to themselves as "Women's Advocates" as opposed to feminists. "Women's Advocates" does not imply equality, only that they want to advance women's causes. If they did so, at least they could not be considered hypocritical when they demand inequality.

EDIT 2: KA1227, I am posting again since you asked a question.

You said, "IDEALS may be all-or-nothing, but reality is NOT. . . " Please correct my understanding if I misinterpreted your statement.

Here is what I understand you to mean:

1. The IDEAL of feminism is equality, pure and simple, end of sentence.

2. However, the REALITY is that equality is not always possible or practicable.

Am I right, wrong, close, or not in the ball park?

By the way, I do not disagree with #2.

EDIT 3: KA1227.

This is where you are wrong. It is NOT all or nothing. Most people, including me, don't practice complete equality. It is not practical. And few women really want that.

HOWEVER, feminists constantly paint themselves into a corner by incessantly proselytizing equality, until biology or preference makes it difficult. Then, come the rationalizations.

So, it turns out that they are little different from the rest of us. They won't tolerate discrimination, but can't handle complete equality either.

Why call the movement "Women's Advocacy" or something else that does not represent the concept of complete equality with men, lest this monkey never get shaken off.

Answer 2

My dear friend. Why ask rhetorical questions? You know by the answers posted here and to other questions, who is an equity feminist and who is a gender feminist. An extreme example; Juniper is an equity feminist and Object Of Its Ire is a gender feminist. ( where is that harridan lately, anyway )

Answer 3

Being a libertarian, I consider myself an equity feminist most of the time, although I do agree with a couple of idea on the gender-feminist party line.

Answer 4

Does it matter to you what type of Feminist a Feminist is? As one have mentioned, you will categorize an individual based on their outlook on Feminism anyway.

Are you asking this question so you can better understand the ideology of a gender feminist and an equity feminist? Or are you asking your question because you want answers from People so you can categorize them and group them? It sure seems like it, you've already done it.

Answer 5

How would you define these two terms? I've never heard of a "gender feminist." I believe in equality, so I guess that makes me an "equity" feminist? The word "feminist" can be a misleading term. For some may think that a feminist is someone who believes women are superior, or should have special privileges, or that they "hate men", when in fact, the true definition of a feminist does not incorporate such ideas. The word "feminist" also tends to mislead because in and of itself, the term leaves out the "male" part of the equation. I think that's misleading. You can't leave men out of this and achieve equality at the same time. Men have issues, too, when it comes to discrimination. They may be different than women's, but no less meaningful or serious. A true feminist is an equalitarian. A believer in equality. I realize men and women have unquestionable differences, physically, emotionally, and cognitively, however- I believe that both men and women have equal value and should be allowed equal opportunities, rights, and freedoms. I don't believe in gender superiority- neither is more valuable (or less needed) in society. Feminists are actually better defined as humanists...which most of us (men and women), in my opinion, truly are.

Answer 6

Even though this question was asked here recently, it's a good idea to define your terms.

And the chances of getting me pick one or the other - slim.

EDIT: People don't fit into ideological boxes. Which is roughly what Steve said in his post, although he put a bit of a spin on his response. IDEALS may be all-or-nothing, but reality is NOT, which is why I cannot place myself in either of the categories you suggested.
For the same reason, I don't align myself with a single political party, although I am registered with one in order to vote in the Primaries.

Edit 2: Painting with a broad brush again Steve?
Please explain my own words to me, because I don't know what I meant.
The only inequality that I defer to in MY life is biological. And you can hardly say that people choose to be born one sex or the other for "convenience." You are characterizing the behavior of some as inconsistent, and applying that characterization to the whole. Tsk, Tsk.

The whole gender feminist vs. equality feminist question is merely a set up, as other posters have already explained.

@ Steve: It's THIS line that I have a problem with:
"So, feminists are allowed to chose inequality when equality is a pain, but still claim to be for equality. How convenient."

I don't pick and choose ... I was born female and that dictates a few differences. But I still think men and women can be equals. Our ongoing conflict boils down to the perpetual use of all-or-nothing thinking, which, like ANY ideal, does not mesh with reality. Life is not black and white. And questions like this one, posed in an either/or format, as well as the use of the words all, none, always and never are enormous barriers to constructive discussion.

I should have left my brief answer alone. Everything before the first edit is good.

Answer 7

I used to be a feminist when I was younger and very naive, but I've been thinking about becoming an arrogant male chauvinist pig now that I'm older and wiser (as in, ever since my wife started beating me up and throwing me in jail).

Answer 8

Apparently they don't like a distinction being made between a bad feminist and a good feminist. Okay girlies, a feminist is a feminist is a feminist...

.. All feminists are about female supremacy.

Answer 9

Uh, maybe if you explained what each is, we could answer.

I believe women to be human beings, not property.

Which does that make me?

Answer 10

What difference does it make if a Woman is any type of Feminist. Feminist, is a Feminist, is a Feminist, no matter how you shape it, form it, or dissect it. Obviously you MUST have been reading Christina Hoff Sommers book, "Who stole feminism." Haven't you?

Gender Feminism and Equity Feminism are all based on ideology. So no matter how you look at it, categorize it or re-define sections of Feminism, it will always have the same identical common denominator....Women's Rights.

It wouldn't matter WHAT kind of Feminist a Feminist is, People like you will automatically CATEGORIZE them into sections that suits you. So, WHY ASK.

Edit i ♥ ♀
''wouldn't matter WHAT kind of Feminist a Feminist is, People like you will automatically CATEGORIZE them into sections that suits you. So, WHY ASK.''
Insulting others isn't what's going to give feminism a good rep. But since you judged me without knowing me, I'll judge you too. You're a misandrist, ugly fat lesbian. How's that?

I recommend you answer the damn ******* question, because you didn't. You know what that means, don't you?

Awwww...Poor you. Did I strike a nerve? You need to refer back to who you judged first. What's the matter? Did I unveil your hidden agenda? Please, spare your ranting emails to me. It's not my fault you have yours on PRIVATE for my reply. And to think with all the hot air you're wasting in sending me your email, instead of EDITING it with your QUESTION, it only made you a RANTING slave to your miserable self. You left me no choice but for me to give it to you in my EDIT.

WHAT A PITY....