Who are the REAL feminists - the so-called "Fake" Feminists or the "True" Feminists?

Question

Rebel F and Gnu Sense and many others have effectively drawn a line between "true" feminism (generally those who believe that feminism is or should be about genuine equality between the sexes) and "fake" feminism (which is a cult which encourages misandry - i.e. man-hate - and which preaches female supremacy).

So how do the feminista - the top feminist leaders, the people who control NOW and the women's studies movement - figure in this. And, if you are a woman, how would you best describe yourself -
(a) a true feminist
(b) so-called 'fake' feminist
(c) non-feminist

@Lioness - It's not a good picture is it? If you care to copy and enlarge it you will see me imbibing out of my magic tankard!

@Lioness - Hangover time?

Answer 1

I am a woman.
That is the only label I accept.

Answer 2

I would describe myself as a true feminist. The true spirit of feminism is not about male-bashing...I love several men...family members, my best friend, etc.
Feminism is more about balance. I don't want a world that is based on female supremacy...that would completely miss the point. For example, the problem of domestic violence...stating that men are the only ones that are abusive is only telling half the story. Women can be abusers as well. To not take that into account is to not really look at a problem from all sides.

What can be really great about feminism is that it's about choice also...that we have them. If you want to be a stay-at-home mom you can do that and you shouldn't feel guilty about it. If you're more into a career...that's fine also. Women have to stop chastizing women for the choices they make...whether they are feminists or not.

This is my idea of feminism. It may not be popular but I don't care. I don't have to agree with every little thing issue or idea that's out there. And I refuse to validate any standpoint that would have me do otherwise.
Being a feminist is just one aspect of my life. Being a Christian is just as important to my life. I don't believe in abortion...and I get a lot of flack for it. I vote for both Democrats and Republicans.

Bottom line: Feminism informs part of my life but not all of it. If that makes me not a true feminist in the eyes of some people...oh well. I have a mind of my own!

Answer 3

The true feminist is simply defined, but relatively rare. Most feminists are close to being a true feminist (and almost all will eventually become a true feminist), but dabble in at least a few double standards, denial, and erroneous justification. They could get a lot more sympathy if they just admitted this, but most won't. Examples of subjects that can be a litmus test for true feminism are:
-The power of female beauty
-Who pays for the first few dates and why
-Females who disproportionately (compared to men) communicate in a disingenuous manner
-Boy's night out
-Comparing a high-stress 45 hour a week job to 60 hours a week as a homemaker
-How young women respond lamentably to male kindness & get turned on by bad boys.

Answer 4

Feminism and people's beliefs and practices regarding feminism is subject to constant change with time. Hence what is deemed as true feminism today might or might not become fake feminism tomorrow and also might or might not become non-feminism day-after-tomorrow.

Regarding people and women in particular, a person might be a true feminist at this moment and a fake feminist any moment after they have changed to a fake feminist or even a non feminist if they change to that as the time goes by.

The key factor is time. But time alone might not bring change. Hence I think time and change will cause people to randomely become a true feminist, another so-called 'fake' feminist or a non-feminist at any moment across the world.

Answer 5

There are assholes in every group, "real" or "fake". What makes you think that you can understand the need for feminism when you've been a man all your life (well, at least I'm assuming you've been a man all your life)?

Answer 6

I'm a true feminist, because I believe in equalism, as the ideology first was based on. I don't feel compelled to pontificate on the wrongheadedness of rigid gender roles every time I see a little girl playing with her dolls. I'm confident that today's Western women mostly understand that motherhood isn't incompatible with professional achievement. I don't feel any conflict between my femininity and my power. I embrace my womanhood, my femininity, my ability to give birth, to nurture; equality doesn't mean looking or acting manly. I know that today's girls grow up with a pop culture infused with girl power---from Powerpuff Girls to Jessica Lynch. Girls can play superheroes wearing sparkly pink capes as they save the world.

While all of this progress is enormous, I also know that women still earn less than men for performing the same work, women continue to live in fear of sexual assault, and a woman's body is still judged as public property. There is still work ahead to be done to achieve full equality. I also know we need to shift our focus to internationally reaching out to women who are living under barbaric conditions; where honor killings, rape, lack of education, child prostitution and hunger are parts of the every-day life. All women deserve the same equality that we are enjoying. Feminism to me is a humanitarian act, that can't be limited to my own backyard. I don't see the significance of focusing on the political correctness of "mankind" vs "humankind" at home, while neglecting women getting killed and tortured elsewhere.

Btw: Celtish your avatar looks like a school teacher drawing on the board, you're making me nervous to submit my work lol

EDIT: K. I just never had a thing for teachers in the power position, I would get anxiety attacks submitting the work...good to know it's something else. Btw. Let's go go the other question Gnu put up, I'm kinda buzzed and trying to figure out the logic, but kinda lost without further clarification.

EDIT: Nope, I never get those. Working out and cleaning time. Have a good Sat ya'll.

Answer 7

Since my name was invoked here, I'd better speak up.

I was accepting this "true feminist" talk for the sake of argument and I applaud Rebel F's complete consistency in her use of the distinction.

For myself, I consider "feminism" and "Civil Rights movement" to both be what Wittgenstein called "family resemblance" concepts, grouping phenomena with overlapping and criss-crossing similarities.

But if someone stipulates that they are using "feminist" as Rebel F does, I can accept that in my discussions with that individual.

Answer 8

(C) I figure it like this. A true feminist is the one who wants equality,once she obtains her goal she's more than willing to let bygones be bygones.
A so-called fake feminists is after the same goal, when she obtains her goal she's the one who's going to hold a grudge no matter what.

Answer 9

this is silly- any attempt to categorize women into true or fake feminists is a waste of time, and completely contradictory to the cause. there are some women out there who hate all men, but that isn't what feminism is at all. it's about exposing and challenging the patriarchal system, which does privilege men but isn't men themselves. i am a feminist. drawing a line between right and wrong feminism is drawing a line between women, separating and isolating us from working together. so cut it out.

Answer 10

a true Feminist is a woman who just wants to be treated equal, no better,no worse, so yes i am and i date a man who treats me as his equal instead of an inferior and i like that. I like that we take care of each other, go Dutch on dates,etc. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Answer 11

Feminism is minor League.Classism.
Humanism is the Majors.Beyond,no Sports.