In a recent class, I heard my fellow students groan when they heard the word "feminism." As a proud feminist, this not only bothered me, but motivated me to write exactly why I am a feminist.
The days of burning bras and wearing tennis shoes to work are over. Previous feminists have fought for rights by emasculinating themselves. By refusing to wear bras, wearing men's attire, and not wanting heterosexual relationships, I feel they only reinforced the gender roles which we were supposed to fight against. I believe that feminism in the twentieth century will include a feminization of society. We should not be ashamed to be females. We should be proud.
The battles which feminists fought twenty, thirty, and forty years ago are very different that the challenges which we face today. We are technically and legally equal to men. But are we really? We have been forced to give up our femininity in order to acquire equal status with men. But what about that femininity? As women, we are taught how to act one way as children, yet when we get into the "real world" we are required to act differently. The values and behaviors which our mothers instilled in us are no longer appropriate.
Feminism to me is that desire for the right to choose. I want to choose who I am, how I act, and what to do with myself and my body. I cannot be emotional because that reinforces the negative stereotype about women. I am not allowed to be a stay-at-home mom because that is what my feminist sisters fought against. But what if that is what I want to do with my life? Am I any less of a woman? I am a feminist because I want to give women the right to be themselves, to choose for themselves, and not be expected to live by any other expectation, whether it be that of a patriarchal society or that of other feminists. I want to be me. And I should be able to be.
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Being a feminist today shouldn't be so much about denying expectations for the sake of defying them. Today's feminism should be about doing whatever you want to do, because you have that freedom.
Common sense is as rare as genius. ~Emerson
The problem with people hearing the word "feminist" today is that to most it conjures up the image of a "man-hater" type. This is mostly due in part to people not realizing just what a feminist is, or what a feminist can be, and is merely fueled by stereotype. If you hear that groan again, don't fret, it's very likely they're groaning out of their own ignorance.
That is...unless you're a man hater? ;)
-Tim
"It costs nothing to be honest, loyal, and true." -Avett Bros.
Haha I have a boyfriend of three years and some of my best friends are guys, including my brother. I am definitely not a man-hater.
I only meant that in jest!
-Tim
"It costs nothing to be honest, loyal, and true." -Avett Bros.
Haha I know. Just wanted to make it clear.