It seems to me that people on this site (and in general) have a very poor idea of what feminism is. A lot seem to think that all feminists want to carve the men's hearts out of their chests and crush it with their stiletto heels while they laugh maniacally at finally having their revenge. This cartoon like depiction is completely inaccurate. Feminism is not at all the opposite of chauvinism or lascivious behaviour. Its actually pretty much misnamed. Feminism just aims to give credit where credit is due and to respect gender differences. A lot of companies have made a lot of money by recognizing this. Instead of taking a woman and demanding she acts like a man if she is placed in a position of authority, they allow her to act like a woman. Is this always beneficial? Of course not, but the opposite is also true (and this is why feminism is not the best term because it focuses on femininity). There are quite a few professions which are traditionally seen as female which men excel at when they act like men. For instance, men have been proven to have more effectiveness at teaching children from Kindergraten to grade 3, which is traditionall seen as a more maternal role because the children are so young.
I have been accused of being a feminist on this site relatively often and I usually deny it, though in fact I am one. I deny it though because I am being accused of being a feminist for the wrong reasons.
" Some might just not realize there's a difference between feminists and feminazis. "
This is usually the truth.
@RazzaTazz:
I think also there is a level of misunderstanding around Feminism that is almost touched on here, there is an element of fear from men around women who proclaim to be feminists that causes issue, these women are usually as RazzaTazz pointed out women who abuse the term and use it as a way to put men down or treat them like second class citizens, I can see why she wishes to separate herself from the term, especially on this site.
I personally hate the term Feminist, I like to think of myself as an equalitist, equal rights for all is the only thing I ever ask for, but I am not one to stand around bitching about men and the way the treat women.
As someone pointed out in a separate thread yesterday, its usually the most extreme examples that people associate with certain groups. Is it fair to associate everyone on the right wing as greedy and religious? Of course not. Are all left wingers tree huggers and socialists? Also no. But there seems to be the impression that a feminist is a woman that not only refuses to wear a bra but burns it publicly.
A lot of women don't know what feminism is. A certain ex-governor of Alaska is very vocally anti-feminist, but in actuality she is a shining beacon of feminism. The people of Alaska that loved her and voted her in didn't like her because she acted like a man, but rather because she acted like a woman.
The video is actually an excellent look at what RazzaTazz is pointing out here about how some women are just completely unaware of what Feminism is about.
I agree with @.Mistress Redhead.: I dont like feminism but I am total for equality. one thing that annoys me is the stink they made at the hello boys wonder-bra adverts, but you never see males complain about the Calvin Kline boxer adverts.
I have never understood the feminist standpoint, mainly because no self described "feminist" has ever been able to describe what it entails. i suspect they had no clue themselves and just wanted to identify with a group, even if it meant trashing guys (which they did, a lot). so this thread has kinda made a bit more sense of it all.
" I agree with @.Mistress Redhead.: I dont like feminism but I am total for equality. one thing that annoys me is the stink they made at the hello boys wonder-bra adverts, but you never see males complain about the Calvin Kline boxer adverts. "
Very true, and you will find its far more acceptable for a group of women to oggle a group of naked men, but if men go to strip clubs they are deemed sexist and often even pigs.
@.Mistress Redhead.: I am not much a male oggler, nor do I really understand the appeal of strip clubs, but I have this philosophy in life that if you aren't doing something immoral which hurts other people (notice I said immoral not illegal) then I am not really opposed to how you want to live your life. And there are certainly a lot of worse things in this world than paying to look at a naked body. This is one woman who won't call a man a pig for going to one unless maybe they ask me to go with them.
"But there seems to be the impression that a feminist is a woman that not only refuses to wear a bra but burns it publically "
I never really understood that part anyways, whats the bra burning got to do with any of it?
Like i kinda said in Prince CortSether's thread - I dont have a problem with women wanting equal rights and opportunities but i dont appreciate it when they only want those rights when it benefits them. I have no problem with women wanting to do a job that is considered to be a males only type job (ex. construction, sports ownership, etc.) but if that is the case i belive they should either be treated like equals or treat men as their equals. I know it sounds petty but i know alot of women that expect random gifts and acts of kindness from their spouse as a sign of their spouses affection but they dont believe they should or need to do it back bc they are women. Men like gifts (maybe not roses) and signs of affection as well. I understand when i women is unhappy because she wants to be treated equal and is given a job that she physically cant do. Some things men are better at, somethings women are better at, i get that.
I'm not saying it is only women that do it either. My father-in-law believes women should cook all the food, clean all the dishes, clean the house, do whatever he TELLS them to do (Seriously, what he says is the law in his house and must be followed) but his wife also makes the money for them and works 50-60 ours a week (working from home). He works as well but at a lower paying job and plans to retire in 2 years bc he says he just cant handle working any more while she has to work for till her company makes her retire bc it is the only way they will be able to afford their bills. She has to have dinner ready and on the table when he gets home, be out of his way and give up anything she is doing that he might want to do.
" And there are certainly a lot of worse things in this world than paying to look at a naked body. This is one woman who won't call a man a pig for going to one unless maybe they ask me to go with them. "
You would call a man a pig if he asked you if you wanted to go to a strip club? I thought that would be a nice thing to do...
I've never been in to the whole strip club scene (i dont see the point of give some woman money to tease me and walk away) but my brothers fiance' loves strip clubs. Its the weirdest thing to me, as far as i know she has never swung the other way or tested the playing field on her own side but she seems to like that type of stuff when it just comes to watching it.
" @.Mistress Redhead.: I am not much a male oggler, nor do I really understand the appeal of strip clubs, but I have this philosophy in life that if you aren't doing something immoral which hurts other people (notice I said immoral not illegal) then I am not really opposed to how you want to live your life. And there are certainly a lot of worse things in this world than paying to look at a naked body. This is one woman who won't call a man a pig for going to one unless maybe they ask me to go with them. "
Agreed, my philosophy around anything to do with sex has always been if your happy and the other person is happy then have at it. Long as its NOT illegal ;P
" Feminism just aims to give credit where credit is due and to respect gender differences. A lot of companies have made a lot of money by recognizing this. Instead of taking a woman and demanding she acts like a man if she is placed in a position of authority, they allow her to act like a woman. Is this always beneficial? Of course not, but the opposite is also true (and this is why feminism is not the best term because it focuses on femininity). "
I'm no expert, but I don't think that's the correct definition of feminism. If anything, feminists would insist there's no such thing as acting like a woman or acting like a man, as gender roles are solely determined by society or culture.
"Women should not have the right to vote, it's ridiculous. "
Lol @RazzaTazz said:
"@Prince CortSether: Agreed, but neither should men "
@.Mistress Redhead. said:
" @~The Wanderer~ said:
" Some might just not realize there's a difference between feminists and feminazis. "
This is usually the truth.
@RazzaTazz: I think also there is a level of misunderstanding around Feminism that is almost touched on here, there is an element of fear from men around women who proclaim to be feminists that causes issue, these women are usually as RazzaTazz pointed out women who abuse the term and use it as a way to put men down or treat them like second class citizens, I can see why she wishes to separate herself from the term, especially on this site. I personally hate the term Feminist, I like to think of myself as an equalitist, equal rights for all is the only thing I ever ask for, but I am not one to stand around bitching about men and the way the treat women. "
I like this statement and agree with it.
@Jake Fury said:
"I thought feminism was a bunch of women forming a tribe of warrirors and only using the men for slaves and reproduction when needed. Wait, that's Amazonism. :) Nice article. Please excuse my feeble attempt at a joke. "
Lol @FadeToBlackBolt said:
" @~The Wanderer~ said:
" Some might just not realize there's a difference between feminists and feminazis. "
In fairness, most uneducated "feminists" don't understand the difference either and perpetuate that stereotype. "
It is a movement of women who don't like having sex with men. They can either be lesbians or simply women who don't like having sex with anyone.
And as far as having children goes, Feminists don't want biological children. Raising other people's children is fine, but they will raise those children with the idea that having biological children is selfish and that they should grow up to raise other people's children as well.
"@velle37: Feminism has nothing to do with credit or merit. It is a movement of women who don't like having sex with men. They can either be lesbians or simply women who don't like having sex with anyone. And as far as having children goes, Feminists don't want biological children. Raising other people's children is fine, but they will raise those children with the idea that having biological children is selfish and that they should grow up to raise other people's children as well. "
Feminism - Is the belief in women's rights, and the movement for women's rights. That is what is at the core of Feminism. All this other added hubub, is just personal philosophy.
" @velle37: Feminism has nothing to do with credit or merit. It is a movement of women who don't like having sex with men. They can either be lesbians or simply women who don't like having sex with anyone. And as far as having children goes, Feminists don't want biological children. Raising other people's children is fine, but they will raise those children with the idea that having biological children is selfish and that they should grow up to raise other people's children as well. "
.......
I wonder how I was singled out.....
Even though I didn't make any statements on the subject.........
@LastSonBackUp: Based on the definition which I have provided of feminism, a masculist would want the exact same thing that a feminist would. Feminism doesnt deal specifically with rights (though its related)
" Feminism just aims to give credit where credit is due and to respect gender differences. A lot of companies have made a lot of money by recognizing this. Instead of taking a woman and demanding she acts like a man if she is placed in a position of authority, they allow her to act like a woman. Is this always beneficial? Of course not, but the opposite is also true (and this is why feminism is not the best term because it focuses on femininity). "
I'm no expert, but I don't think that's the correct definition of feminism. If anything, feminists would insist there's no such thing as acting like a woman or acting like a man, as gender roles are solely determined by society or culture. "
Gender roles are not all determined by society and culture. Not by a long shot. For any guy which disagrees with me I suggest they try breastfeeding a baby.
You ask 300 Feminists what Feminism means, and you will get 300 different definitions... I am telling you, it is all just personal philosophy. Feminism does not = Feminist.
" Feminism just aims to give credit where credit is due and to respect gender differences. A lot of companies have made a lot of money by recognizing this. Instead of taking a woman and demanding she acts like a man if she is placed in a position of authority, they allow her to act like a woman. Is this always beneficial? Of course not, but the opposite is also true (and this is why feminism is not the best term because it focuses on femininity). "
I'm no expert, but I don't think that's the correct definition of feminism. If anything, feminists would insist there's no such thing as acting like a woman or acting like a man, as gender roles are solely determined by society or culture. "
Gender roles are not all determined by society and culture. Not by a long shot. For any guy which disagrees with me I suggest they try breastfeeding a baby. "
That's more of a biological attribute, than a gender induced behavior......
" Feminism just aims to give credit where credit is due and to respect gender differences. A lot of companies have made a lot of money by recognizing this. Instead of taking a woman and demanding she acts like a man if she is placed in a position of authority, they allow her to act like a woman. Is this always beneficial? Of course not, but the opposite is also true (and this is why feminism is not the best term because it focuses on femininity). "
I'm no expert, but I don't think that's the correct definition of feminism. If anything, feminists would insist there's no such thing as acting like a woman or acting like a man, as gender roles are solely determined by society or culture. "
Gender roles are not all determined by society and culture. Not by a long shot. For any guy which disagrees with me I suggest they try breastfeeding a baby. "
That's more of a biological attribute, than a gender induced behavior...... "
but nurturing children is considered part of the female gender role (which I believe is what she's getting at) and yet men can't actually do it without the woman "
No. A gender "role" is a role attributed to a gender for no specific reason. That's like saying a man ejaculating is a gender role, it's not, it's a biological attribute.
@velle37: A gender role is just that, a role which only one gender does, it doesnt matter why it is attributed. Ejaculation is part of procreation and therefore not a gender role, seeing as both men and women are involved. There are definitely biological attributes which define who we are.
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