Where / How did you acquire *your* interpretation of a 'feminist'?

Question

e.g. My first memories of 'feminism' were back in the late 70s or early 80s and they had planted a bomb at a TV studio. I was a kid so it was all over my head.Later, another report about them infiltrating some beauty contest and they were seen verbally assaulting contestants & judges alike. My mom was somewhat feminist in her beliefs, and often watched shows with woman whining about men in general.
The word fell out of my scope for a while until I was in middle school and I looked it up in the dictionary. I read it was meant to be about equality. Despite my observations, I believed the dictionary definition (How often does the dictionary lie, normally?)
At that point, I became pro-feminist (I really liked the idea of equality and reading some of the stories compelled me to equality).
Then, I became a father - life changed. I was a good dad (inc. stopping my ex from backhanding our daughter for the crime of being 'under her feet')...

(continued below)

I saw how television always painted dad's as bafoons, entirely incapable of such simple tasks as changing a diaper/nappy - and knew I was not going to be a part of that stereotype.
I read more & more on feminism and my knowledge of mens-rights (or fathers rights) was none existent, I had only seen one programme (in which the MRA's came over as grumpy old gits, which the feminists did as well - but they had support while the MRA's didn't).
I read the likes of Andrea Dworkin and her hate for men in general. I figured it must have been justified as I had read oh-so often how men had oppressed women in history.
I stumbled on a feminist site which claimed men did 95% of violence on women, a page later it changed and another page later it changed again. I couldn't understand why the inconsistency. So I mailed them and received no reply (aside from 'we'll put your question to our manager who will contact you')
(more....)

So I did my own searching and found a man-friendly page claiming it was closer to 50/50 than what feminists were saying.
I mailed this site & asked how come. Within a day or so they had responded with a link to a Government statistic showing 54%men did violence and 46% women. It sounded much more realistic. I contacted the feminist site again asking if they'd yet got their information I'd requested... and never had a reply.
It sure seemed to me, they had something to hide.
Since then, I've read a lot more man-hating from feminism than I've read misogyny from men's groups.

My definition has been formed by the more public feminists, but also from those I've known in real life (an ex's mother used to openly gloat how men were useless apart from doing jobs for her).

Now, if feminists here have known of the same feminists as I have - how come you are happy to be part of what 'appears' to be a hate movement?

Answer 1

I don't have any real life "hate movement" stories to base my opinions of feminism on, so you could say I go by the books or definition of what feminism is...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feminism

The reason I don't claim feminism for myself is that I feel that modern feminist leave something to be desired. They speak of equality, but little is done in the way of equality for all. I feel that true equality is reached when we work together, not separated or divided. I don't see the same efforts set forth to help people in need in feminism like in humanitarianism.

But, I do recognize that without early feminism I wouldn't have some of my most valued rights and freedoms. I truly believe that feminism has paved paths that modern women take advantage of, and to this we owe our thanks.

I would like to add that this is only my opinion of the subject, as I completely believe that good can come from a plethora of "isms" if the intention of the follower is honest and sincere.

Answer 2

I do not really recall the first time I was exposed to it. My mom was never really someone who would allow anyone to tell her what to do, but she also was not a male basher either. Years ago I thought that feminism was just an excuse for lesbians who wanted to assume male roles. I guess feminism did not matter to me because I did not live in some male dominated house, my parents were pretty balanced. And it was also illogical for me to believe in complete equality given the fact that science says otherwise, in regards to physical strength. Each gender brings something to the table, I do not believe one is better than the other, but I do believe that they are different.

Answer 3

From the lamentable behaviors of feminists on the campus of the University of MN in the early 90s. From my ex, and from the women here. I've always known feminists are more fun and more capable of being the kind of comrade that I crave, and from this forum I'm learning how to spot women/feminists that will do a "long con," and how to appreciate the ones that won't.

Answer 4

That's easy; in truth we are only equal in those things that are naturally so. The scales are not always going to be balanced at 50/50; one time they might be 84/16 with the 16 on you and the 84 on the other; then they'll switch around; meaning the grass is greener on the other side is nothing more than a facade, which brings about a headache for aching for it. the other side doesn't have it any easier; just because I, in general, the woman, see you the man on the other side, doesn't mean life is so jolly for you; each of us has his share of burdens; one is not easier than the other.

Answer 5

Mine came about after reading The Feminine Mystique. I'm basically a "Friedan feminist." Many feminists will tell you that they believe that their movement requires an overhaul, not an end, to get rid of all the lies and hatred that has been injected into it.

Answer 6

1999 - I took a 400 level French course French Feminist theory. I liked Simone De Beauvoir and took some more. I was already a big fan of Sartre, so I was really interested in what kind of woman he loved (Simone). For me feminism is more philosophy than anything and I love philosphy. I'd never burn my bra to make a political statement. But those were the 60s and 70s, from what I hear.

I guess all my teachers were good, because some of these things stuck with me for longer than I expected them to.

Karlito, we're not all the same, and you know that. Speaking of dictionaries, I had a definition up a few days ago the bastards deleted my question.


this is feminism -
1 : the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes 2 : organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests

there is no masculinism but there is this -
an advocate of male superiority or dominance
— masculinist adjective

interesting, huh?

Answer 7

My 'mother' is/was a radical feminist and 'part-time' lesbian. My foster Mother was an activist and I am a nurse so I guess it is in my blood, so to speak, to fight for the equality and rights that some of us tend to take for granted.

Answer 8

My freshman year of college I took a WGS class with an awesome professor who inspired me to further my background in feminist issues, and now I've made it my minor. Also, I got a lot of it from my mom--she is an awesome feminist! :)

Answer 9

From a magazine. MY definition of feminism is equality between both genders. This really has been reached in reality.

Answer 10

reality is that feminists either hate or support hate of men but deny it