feminist "Feminism is the radical notion that women are human beings." --Cheris Kramerae, author of A Feminist Dictionary, 1996 You've probably heard lots of things about feminists. They're man-hating lesbians who like to burn their bras in public. Or, bitter women who don't shave their armpits and despise sex. AND, if you listen to Pat Robertson, feminists are encouraged to kill their own children and overthrow the government. If you haven't guessed it already, all of the above--ranging from the silly to the outright ridiculous--are simply stereotypes. The actual definition of a feminist (according to the American Heritage Dictionary) is someone, male or female, who believes in social, political and economic equality between the sexes. Basically, feminists believe that women and men should be treated the same and given the same rights. Now that you know the definition of this f-word, here's a little background info. Even though the term was developed in France (feminisme) in the mid-1800s, it didn't become popular until the 1960s. By the 1960s, the women's movement was well underway and women all over were campaigning for equal rights across the board--from eliminating job discrimination to gaining reproductive rights and political representation in the government. Previously, these women's groups had used the term "women's liberationist" to define themselves, but as it began to lose popularity they embraced the term "feminist." So how did this word come to have such negative connotations? Like most things that are challenged, the previous, male-dominated power structure felt threatened. Change can be scary; and now women were demanding equal pay for equal work or the ability to make choices about their own bodies. Women were rightfully angry and did some very radical things (though no bras were burned, contrary to popular belief). It is much easier for people to put down feminism than admit that society must change its ways. Also, many people tended to (and still do) think that since the term "feminism" has "fem" in it, a feminist must be someone who wishes to raise women above men. But if you look to the actual definition of a feminist, it's simply about creating an even playing field for men and women. And you cannot forget the people or language used that encourages these negative connotations. The term feminazi (feminist + nazi) has been used to criticize feminists, purporting the stereotype that they have a Nazi-esque hatred for men as well as believing that women are superior to men. Therefore, a cycle of anti-feminist discourse is always playing.

Comments

[celly]

I am proudly a feminist. I don't try force my beliefs on others, but I do share my opinions with anyone who asks. I'm not embarrassed to be who I am.

[Avalon Demorgaine]

I don't think men are less then me by any means, and I consider myself a bit of a feminist. I simply believe than everything a man can do, a woman can do just as well. Now are you going to ridicule me for that?

Women may not have as much crap to face as we did back in the old days, at least not in the USA, but that doesn't mean gender discrimnation is over. Especially in other parts of the world.

There's a lot more give and take in developed countries, and less for us to fight then there was for the older generations, but look at the third world. Women often have no rights at all, and are still considered lesser. Just saying.

As for you cock-a-doo, not everything is about sex. Women are by no means intended by nature to be submissive. The farthest I have to look for an example of this is my mother.

In my family, my mother rules the roost. She's the one you'd call "dominate" I guess. She's the strong one, not my dad, the one who pulls us together, keeps us on track, gets us through the hard times, who we turn to when we can't handle keeping it all to ourself. She's the rock of the family, not a submissive pansy, and I think our family works well because of it.

[Anisa]

I consider myself a feminist, and I do so because it makes me feel empowered. I don't go around complaining all day and I don't hate men, but I do encourage other girls to have self-respect and stand up for themselves. I don't care what anyone thinks of me, I'm proud to be a feminist!

[Harriet]

I hate it that people say feminist as if it's a dirty word or an insult. All feminist means is that you believe women should have equal rights to men, which means anyone with half a brain is a feminist!

[Rachael]

Ok, Im all for womens (and mens!) rights, and Im not a feminist, cause I like equality for all. all you males out there bashing the feminists are obviously too big headed to remember that Females are useful to you too. if we did half the things you did to us, you'd die.

[hello]

i thought that feminist was being a girly girl

[jared]

to cockadoo it must be that your probably gay to be saying this

MACHISTA DE PORQUERIA

[Missy moo]

im sorry. i dont see the need to be a feminist. yes, i will stand up for myself when a guy is being sexist. But some feminists are over the top.
Yes, maybe feminists gave us rights that we didnt have 80 years ago. But now we live in a world where men and women are equal. Men sometimes make sexist remarks, women sometimes make sexist remarks too.
My mum used to have a mug that said, "Men are only good for one thing, and how important is parallel parking anyway?" Thats sexist towards men, so whos saying they treat us badly and we dont do anything to them??

[Noah]

Cocka-Doo,you seem to be like one of those moronic dudes that think with their (Coincidentally)Cocks. Congrats,you have just made it ever clearer why women because feminists in the first place. You can moan and bitch all you want but it all comes down to this: Treat a women like shit,you'll get dumped like the dick you are. Treat her the way you're supposed to(EQUALLY) And you may have a relationship lasting more than three days.By the way,you guys need to get over this whole needing-to-act-manly-or-I'm-a-pussy thing because in the end,men cant survive without women and vice versa.Our species would die out.So suck it up and be a real man and quit being such a pansy ass coward.
Spoken by a real man

[Rachel]

hey so "cockadoo", did you read any of the comments below you? and have you ever heard of a dominatrix? just wondering. becos yes, it is generally more accepted that women are passive and/or submissive, but what the hell man? that really has nothing to do with society and womens rights and if you think sexuality determines how women should be treated, then you obviously dont know about me. i prefer my sexual partner to be dominant, but im also a feminist, AND bisexual. i have a girlfriend and i like being submissive to BOTH men and women. so what are you getting at with the whole women want to be penetrated by men shit? do you really think that means women shouldnt have the opportunities that men have? i dunno man i just dont agree with you at all. and i dont care who else doesnt agree with me, this is my opinion.

[Cocka-Doo!]

Feminism is interesting, and I can understand women wanting to take control of their lives and have more opporunity, but they are held back by the sexual politics... In the end, men are the active, and women are the passive... that's how it is sexually... The woman's desire is to be submissive, to get penetrated, whereas the man wants to be dominant, to be the one who penetrates.... Nature made it that way, and Feminism is sort of arguing against the way nature made us... I'm not saying it's a bad thing, I'm just saying that it goes against a woman's natural desire, which is to be penetrated and to be submissive sexually....

[Mariah]

When you think of feminist what do you think of: an irritating bitch complainging about men,the work force and life in general -- or do you think of a women who is incontrol of her significant other as being a feminist? Either way you look at it negitive connintations need not apply ! The stereotypes of "feminist" are more than overrated ,in fact they are down right ignorant!

[jamie]

I'm a feminism major, and I got curious about gurl.com when it came up in a google search. I've been poking around for about an hour,and this topic naturally caught my eye.

What is often overlooked is that we are not the feminists of the 60s. We're in what's called the third wave, which is addressing the issues of the second wave in the 60s and 70s - all that stuff that led to the feminist stereotype we're talking about. Personally,I believe that second wave was necessary, bra-burning and all, but it's time now to have another go at it and move towards a more inclusive movement, a more positively oriented one that men are welcome to be a part of, working on an alternative model to patriarchy. Put it this way: second wave was a bulldozer to get through the towers of crap we were putting up with. Third wave is a chance to build something in the rubble.

[Dominique]

I have not been called a feminist before, but I never really know wat it was. I did always think that it was somthing bad. Now I know that it is not. Just simply people who choose to have each sex be treated equal without unfair treatment. So now, yes, I guess that that does make me a feminist.

[pixie117]

Feminism was originally about being a female who was STRONG AND INDEPENDENT,AND BEING PRO-CHOICE AND WHO WAS ABLE TO MAKE CHOICES (without the help of men)and to have there sexual freedom .
BUT the term feminist 2day to me just represent female sexism.

[Ivory]

ALLOW ME TO ENLIGHTEN A SET FEW.
I could not help but notice how many of the "tomboys" or "feminist haters" seem to label themselves as such BECAUSE they have an excessive amount of guy friends and find girls to be "annoying".
I find this to be ironic considering that by saying such they are already deeming themselves a feminist. Are you not labeling yourself equal to all the guys you hang out with? YOU ARE. SOOO. You are a feminist [in a small sense]
If those great guy friends of yours suddenly stated that you couldnt hang out with them or play a game with them BECAUSE you were a girl im sure you would fight against them to ensure that you are capable. Is that not what feminists are fighting for? IT IS.
Feminists are fighting for equality. Not dominance. Men deemed themselves dominant the day Adam was brought forth first in the world. Women are leveling the playing field.
Not hacking at it with hatred and envy.

[Lou]

I've studied feminism in a range of subjects at school and find it pretty interesting. I find the "manifesto" The Female Eunuch by Germaine Greer actually hilarious. Some of the suggestions are quite ridiculous. Sure women and men are built differently, sure we have different abilities but that does not give any government or society the right to take away anybody's opportunities to try their hand at different activities. At the end of the day we should, as Martin Luther King Jr said, judge people based on the content of their character not on the color of their skin. He should have course added gender into the mix.

[Hanna O'Toole]

I cant call my self a feminist...
I have way more guy friends then girl friends, I cant say i'm a tomboy because I do dress nice. I am the girl that goes to the beach in a sun dress but when the football comes out its coming from my car and I can throw just as far as about half the guys with us. I have lettered in 6 of my schools sports including Cross Country, Volleyball, JV basketball, track, JV softball, and wrestling. I am a female wrestler and I believe a girl CAN do anything a guy can do...sure I might not be able to lift as much in weight training...bla bla bla but when I get out for the match im still able to pin them!! And when we walk off the mat Im a girl with long brown hair and blue eyes...and hell I date one of the assistent coaches(he graduated last year and was one of the best looking white kids in his class). And sure the boys run faster then me and thats why I am not a "feminist". Boys are built diff. but girls can still be involved in the same activitys...it just means we have to work harder!!

[Dani]

I am also openly a feminist. I disagree highly with the negative connotations the word can bring. The stereotypes are rediculous, in that; if a woman incorrectly labels herself as a feminist and believes we should be the dominant sex, then many people, because of this one woman, will feel offended. It is just like if one day, an asian makes fun of you, and suddenly all asians are bad people. Should that be so? No. Then should you base your analysis of a group of people on individuals? No. However, you can judge an individual by the groups of people they are associated with. I'm sure many of the girls here who believe they are against feminism could even find that many of their female friends (and male friends of course!) believe that both sexes should be treated equally.

[Libby]

I openly describe myself as a feminist, but if the person who I am addressing reacts in a negative fashion and I am sure to clarify that when I say "feminist" I mean someone who wishes for equality between the sexes. It's in the dictionary, people. Just because there are some feminists who do fit the stereotype doesn't mean that you need to purse your lips at me in that "I'm judging you silently" way.

[G]

I'm a feminist
But I will not(repeat not) burn my bra, kill kids, or hate all men
Jeez, talk about urban legends

[Amanda]

I think they can't some action.

[Megs]

I thank God for Feminism everyday...it isn't about making all women go into the work force it is about allowing them the choice to do so if that is what they want. If they want to stay at home then that is just as okay...but the same goes for a man if he is wanting to be a stay at home dad that is his right and he should not be condemned or insulted because of it. Feminism is not just about women, because oppression of women does affect men too. How many times has a man been called a bitch because he's emotional? Men aren't allowed to show any weaknesses for fear of being a "pussy"; so they go too far the other way.

Women have the right to say what can and cannot happen in their own bodies and lives. That is what feminism is about fighting for the same rights and priviledges that men have. Men do not have women trying to regulate their reproductive rights, and men do not get paid 76 cents for every dollar a woman makes. These are very specific issues that affect women, and that is what feminism is trying to fight.

I am a proud feminist because I believe that men and women are equal. I believe that a man can cry if he is upset; or want to be a stay at home dad. I also believe that a woman can work if she wants to and be the boss. Women are the only ones who can decide for themselves (each woman must be allowed to make it) what happens to their bodies. And if I am doing the same job as a man I better be paid the same.

[K]

I really can't stand feminists. The ones I've known never want equality and find "examples of inequality" in the most ridiculous places. They just bash men and bitch out any woman who doesn't support their "cause", deeming them brainwashed by men or some other shit. For god's sake, stick to your own opinions and leave other people alone.

[K]

I really can't stand feminists. The ones I've known never want equality and find "examples of inequality" in the most ridiculous places. They just bash men and bitch out any woman who doesn't support their "cause", deeming them brainwashed by men or some other shit. For god's sake, stick to your own opinions and leave other people alone.