I was inspired to write this because of a comment another blogger made in one of my posts saying, "All women label themselves as feminists." Since I consider myself to be a radical feminist, I know that this is just not the case. If you went out on a regular street in America and asked women if they were feminist most of them would say no. In fact, if you asked many of them what they thought about Women's Suffrage they would say that it was a very bad process and hoped it would end soon. So back to my point, Why don't women in this country identify themselves as feminists? There has to be a reason and there is; although it isn't a very good one, it still exists. Women and men alike in this country have the misconception that all feminists are bra-burning, hairy legged, tree huggy, lesbian weirdos.
"Feminism: The doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men."
Now let's analyze this definition. "The doctrine." Is a code of beliefs and body of teachings. Another example of a doctrine would be the Bible. Feminism advocates the rights of women to the point where they are equal to men. All this means is that women should have the rights that men do; in essence the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
There is nothing wrong with Feminism at all. In fact, feminism has give women in this country so much more than the right to vote. In fact, feminism has also given men in this country so many things. Feminism has given us:
1) An end to slavery. Don't believe me? Ask Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman.
2) The Right to Vote.
3) Great literature. Kate Chopin, Emily Bronte, Jane Austin, etc.
4) The Right to Birth Control.
5) The American Flag
6) The American Red Cross
7) Rights for Mentally Handicapped Citizens
Feminism isn't some crazy idea that was thought up over night. It will never disappear, and as long as women exist, it will benefit society. So take the time now and post something that Feminism has done for boys and girls alike. It can be the simplest thing or it can be very complex. Just take the time to share it. Feminism has it made is possible for me to sit here and write this blog. What has it done for you? Let's take Susan B. Anthony's stance on it. "Failure is impossible." Y'all have a good day!
All I can say right now is that I really loved this blog.
I didn't have those crazy misconceptions you mentioned,but I also didn't fully understand it until you simplified it the way you did.
The strive for equality should never be bashed.
kudos! :]
feminism has highlighted the double-standard which society places on both men and women, and its image of angry hairy-legged tree-huggers bothers men and women enough that they insist on, and often believe in, equality in their immediate environments. That's where change starts. The negative image of feminism may have originated as a tool to alleviate the pressure men felt (them being the understood party that needs to make concessions), but really it unconciously does alot for real feminism doesn't it?
______________________________
"What would I like to tell you? That I didn’t get what I looked for: to gather all of us naked on the earthly pastures under the endless light of suspended time without that form which confines me as it once confined you." =Milosz
"feminism has highlighted the double-standard which society places on both men and women"
True .
" its image of angry hairy-legged tree-huggers bothers men and women enough that they insist on, and often believe in, equality in their immediate environments."
In some cases I could see that, but most women who stereotype feminists in that group aren't going after equal rights.
"The negative image of feminism may have originated as a tool to alleviate the pressure men felt (them being the understood party that needs to make concessions), but really it unconciously does alot for real feminism doesn't it?"
Maybe to begin with... but eventually negative feelings towards a certain group bring them down.
"Our politics are our deepest forms of expression, they mirror our past experiences and reflect our dreams and aspirations for the future."
This is great because people really do have bad ideas of what a feminist really is. When you put it the way you too then yeah I am a feminist. And i believe that most women are but just don't have the courage to say it.
___________________________________________________________________
"Is it true, said Candide, that people in Paris are always laughing?"
-Voltaire
I don't think it's that women think they're non-feminists, but rather, they think of it as liking everthing about being women. I can't really consider myself a feminist either, but I do respect women and their strength. Men think females are weak? HA! Let THEM have a go at the premenstrual cycle and child birth, and see if they dare put those two words in the same sentence ever again.