Feminism. Why do you disagree?

Question

Feminism has been turned into a dirty word, which is sad. Feminism mean equal rights for women, and for women to be treated as human beings. That is it. Any more or any less is not feminism. Feminism doesn't mean pushing for a female dominated world or hating men. It means equality. I know everyone hears extremist from both sides, but they do not speak for the entire group of people. Why assume they do?

If you don't believe there are inequalities, that is one thing (which i believe to be wrong, there are alway inequalities for everyone, even white males). But to saying "im against feminism" is like saying "i don't believe women deserve equal rights."

So my question is, Now that i clarified what feminism means. What are you exactly against in feminism?

OK, good you are against something that isn't feminism. Run with that and make this distinction. It is important. To many real true anti-feminist use this confusion and distortion to hurt the feminist movement. They feed off of this

Support the fight of injustices, but you don't have to support anything else.

Just don't be so angry that you can't tell when something needs to be change. Don't just assume a feminist is only out there to degrade men, we just establish they are not. Take the extremist with a grain of salt. And help a discriminated group.

Some of you say you don't want to be label as a "feminist" but support the ideals. Why not fight to try to take back that label. Why is it hard to sit a person you know down and say "Hey, feminism isn't about all that junk you hear on TV" and enlighten someone to what it really is about.

Answer 1

They don't truly know why they disagree; for this to be the case they would need to be in touch with THEMSELVES - and they are clearly NOT. The desire to see women as second-class citizens is inexorably connected to sexism, which is connected to homophobia, racism, xenophobia, etc. They are too oblivious to know what they are whining about. Some are like this because they are uneducated. Others were raised in housholds where perceived gender roles were strictly enforced. For some, it may be attributable to an ultra-orthodox religious upbringing. The bottom line is it's just the way they are. They don't know any better, and just carry on carrying on - no introspective reasoning required - or desired. It's easier for them this way.

Answer 2

I don't disagree with Feminism, just with a lot of Feminists. It's a classic case of the messenger distorting the message.

I agree that Equal Treatment under the Law isn't a bad thing. It's just the basic courtesy owed everyone for being human. Feminism doesn't mean Female Domination or Universal Castration. But, you wouldn't know that from the way too many feminists talk.

But people tend to remember the extremes and extremists from every movement seem to be the only folks allowed to speak in the Media. That's why Fred Phelps and Pat Robertson look like having the mainstream Christian Viewpoint and AL Sharpton sounds like the voice of all of Black America. Moderate voices just don't get a hearing.

And everyone has experienced the shrillness, Political Correctness and misandry of Feminists who just don't get it. Especially those of us who have spent a lot of our lives working for Progressive causes.

I've been out of the loop for awhile, so maybe you can answer a question for me. Is it still true that you can easily tell if a Feminist is Gay, because Lesbians don't hate men as much as Hetero women?

Answer 3

This feminism isn't feminism argument is so damn tiring. I got a rude remark from a feminist earlier because I said radical feminist instead of just feminist. We get spiteful remarks no matter what we say. So if you claim feminism and the man haters claim feminism to me you are both feminists you may not like it but it is true the radical feminist may say you aren't a true feminists because you aren't hardcore enough. So how about this if someone makes a statement about a spiteful feminist and you are not one then don't get all pissy and start in with the they aren't feminist crap. And your explanation of feminism isn't what people are seeing or hearing from feminist. You can say it is about equality but that isn't what people are experiencing in their lives. And being against feminism isn't the same as being against equality that's just dumb to assume that. I am an anti feminist and I want equality between the genders I just don't agree with the way feminism is going about achieving it. To be honest if feminism was about equality then it wouldn't have gotten such a bad name. Other feminists are giving your movement a bad name with their actions I have yet to see a feminist chastise the man hating feminists for ruining feminism. Yet I have chastised men here when they go too far in there question here. Some would say some of my questions go to far but I do try to make them as fair as possible.

Answer 4

Feminism as you defined it is what people should be taking a position on. I don't support inequality for anyone. Most people here don't know what it is that they're attacking. However, a few here have made it clear that they don't support equality for whatever reason.

Answer 5

It's gotten a dirty name in recent years, as part of a backlash from those who think a more traditional lifestyle for women is better for them and that they should be happy that way. The truth is that feminism is about allowing women to have choices in their lives, not just the one many consider appropriate for them. If they don't want to get married, fine. If they don't want children, that's also fine. If they don't want to live their lives allowing others to make their choices for them, then that's perfectly all right. Why do some people have a problem with that? That one lifestyle of wife and mother is not for every woman and it shouldn't be imposed on them whether they want it or not. I've never met a woman who didn't have children where I felt it would have been better if she had had them but I've met plenty of others who did have children and definitely shouldn't have had them.

Answer 6

I support feminism in practice but not in theory.

By that I mean, I vote for leaders who support feminist positions, I contribute to feminist causes, such as battered women's shelters, I consider women to be my equals, and I even risk being chastised by male friends but speaking up against sexist "humor".

But I believe that the rhetoric, the ideology, the pseudo-science, and the bad philosophy are a plague on our intellectual and cultural life.

I support human beings being able to flourish, men and women. But the word "feminist", even though I respect those who use it to mean just that, has been so variously used and misused that I'd never accept the label since it could only be misunderstood.

And since it certainly does have ONE clear meaning, as a set of phenomena in the academy, and I stand against that, I am clearly non-feminist.

EDIT

Fairy, where do I fit in?

Answer 7

Bruce - welcome to GWS!

Some people are just trolls and put what they consider funny stuff up. Then you get the bible thumpers -Prashante, Alexandra, Mafia Girl and... I'm forgetting a few. They will use the lord and bible argument to death. Some have more than one account but you'll be able to recognize them by the way they write. Anyway, consider this orientation.

And I agree with your def of feminism, maybe I'd even add some stuff. You also get the other extreme in this section, but i see no reason for bible lessons here as long as there is a religion section.

Answer 8

Bruce: I agree with you 100%.

Some of the answers above mine, however, I'm having a tough time comprehending. Gun Fan: feminism has done nothing for humanity? Really? So you don't think women should have the right to vote, or have choices when it comes to their bodies and their lives? Gun Fan I'm beginning to think you really do have a mental disorder. You actually seem to believe the stuff that comes out of your mouth. You need therapy.

Sometimes I just can't believe what I'm hearing in this forum.

Answer 9

Oh dear man are you ever blind. Women have always been treated like human beings, of course some selected few, are blind to that fact. Let's suppose that you got a girl knocked up from casual sex that you two agreed on; all of a sudden you find out that she aborted your baby, the baby that you wanted, turned round and blamed you for not wearing a condom. They speak for the entire group of people. They believe everyone in the world should rise and fight and cause havoc just like they have. Listen those feminist have been given equal rights, yes they are being paid the same, it's just not in their hands is all; see it takes an employer a considerable amount of money from his company's pocket to pay for the insurance for these women. Now; this insurance has to cover a pregnancy leave, and other ailments they may have. They are being considered. Only they are greedy and they want more. To tell you the truth this anti-feminist here could give a rats hinder about equality, cause I already see it. I, most of all believe in equality as nature would have it. You want to know something else Abigail Adams made sure that all women were thought of when her husband helped draw up the Declaration of Independence; she made sure that the women were remembered. If they didn't understand that, well that's their problem.

Answer 10

i don't consider myself a feminist and i am treated very well. my husband regards me honorably and he is my partner. you're saying this is wrong?
define inequality.........just what is it i am to be striving for? i'm quite content. as a matter of fact, i've never felt better. i guess i just don't get it.