Debunking the Feminist Myth

Sorted under education on February 25, 2008

bad asses

When people hear the word feminist, most identify with the word on a level of pure extremism. Some can’t help but contort their faces into a horrified, “hide the children” expression. My personal favorite, however, are the questions–Do you burn bras? So you hate men, right? Are you a lesbian? How many abortions have you had? The list can literally go on for hours. But I have a secret for those out there who think feminists are all man-hating, bra-burning, soulless creatures of evil–You’re wrong.

The myths that revolve around feminism captivate me. They often make me burst into high-pitched giggling fits. At times, they even make me angry because of the sheer ignorance that people hold so close to them and the close-mindedness that they refuse to rid themselves of. I can already sense that this may be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this topic and I may be writing more in the future on feminist myths.

Feminists come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, backgrounds and lifestyles; as does any “group” of people. Those who call themselves feminists or those who identify with feminists are simply the people who care about women and the equality of both sexes alike. They are those who care about the rights we, as people of both sexes, currently have and utilize and about the rights we want. It is a lifestyle–A lifestyle of caring, of standing up for what you believe is right and understanding the full humanity of equality.

For the record, feminists cliches are not always correct. The biggest cliche revolving around this movement is the one I am going to disprove right off the bat–Not all feminists are female! Not all feminists burn bras; although some do (and take beautiful pictures in the process.) Not all feminists are man-haters; in fact, many feminists are in long-term relationships and marriages and have families. It is pure discrimination to believe that feminism and homosexuality go hand in hand. Feminists can enjoy cooking and “being in the kitchen.” Feminists are housewives who do not work outside the house yet may have husbands who do. We enjoy sex–even with men! We are not on a rampage to destroy children, we don’t all hate children and we are not out aborting fetuses every chance we get. We are in the workplace and most of us are also in the home.

By the above examples alone, women have not abandoned their “past identities” such as cooking, cleaning and providing for her family. Women have simply grown stronger and have grown upwards in society and have fought for the right to be active and contributing members of society and to their families; that is something to applaud and to be proud of, not something to hold against women or blame unrelated issues on.



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  • Married and Loving it
    there are women out there who say they are tired of male oppression, though, who have swung the pendulum too far in the other direction, hating all men because one friend was raped. And most women who actually just believe that women should have the freedom to make choices about their lives, even if that choice is to love and respect a husband, wouldn't call themselves feminists. I'm married and have been told by numerous "feminists" what a traitor to the gender i am because i love taking care of my family. They forget, i think, that men are necessary to sustain life which they so freely discard before it has even begun, and that we KNOW that children do best (on average) when both the mother and father are part of their being raised.
  • Moody
    Look in a dictionary Margo. The best and only place that defines feminism.

    I hear a lot of people say things like "I define this word this way." or "To me, this word means that."
    It burns me up when people give their own definitions to words.

    Anyway, this is from merriam-webster.

    fem·i·nism
    1 : the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes
  • So you've told me everything a feminist isn't, and how many feminists defy the stereotype, but will you please define for me just what your modern definition of feminism is? Thank you, I appreciate being informed
  • Good post! It's good to let people know whats going on before they make up their minds based on false assumptions. I know that i'll certainly be thinking about this.
  • This is a good post. I think a lot of people misinterpret a lot of things that end in 'ism' because the face of each 'ism' is often extreme anyway. People don't realize that, to varying degrees, almost everyone upholds the ideals of quite a few 'isms' or another. They're based on thought processess, which is why I try not to spend too much time worrying about what I am or what I'm not since I know I could both ex out a lot and take on too much. Whatever I have to be for that moment, I am. I think if more people would realize this, stupid-ism would disappear for sure since that's the only ism with no true redeeming qualities. :)
  • OX
    odd that I should come across this blog today. I just had a conversation earlier about the negative stigma attached to the word "feminist." Many women are so quick to deny themselves as feminists as they don't see themselves as man hating bra burners, when really that is not the true spirit of the word. good post!
  • I feel the same way. The word "feminist" currently has a negative connotation, but in a few years it won't anymore. Words have a way of changing over time. A few decades ago, "conservative" was a dirty word, and it has recently been replaced with "liberal." Culturally defined words do that, which is sad.

    I count myself as a feminist, but in my mind that word means gender equality. I feel that a lot of things would be easier if we used a different word.
  • I'm not sure if I'm feminist or not. But this post made me figure it out a little bit...I still need to think if I am or not though. Just cause I think way to much anyway.

    Great post!
  • Nice one! :D
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