What's up with feminist views...?

Question

Ok, so it's one thing to demand equality between men and women...we should be equal. HOWEVER, I think feminists take it too far by insisting we be treated the same. Men and Women are different...men are genetically stronger, women are naturally more emotional, etc. I don't understand why the concept of equal but different is so hard to grasp.

Anyone who can attempt to give me a logical explanation as to why feminists think women should be like men please let me know. Personally, I enjoy being a woman and having my husband open the door for me or lift a heavy box. He is not doing those things b/c he thinks I am incapable, as feminists accuse, he is doing them out of respect for me and to show me respect. The same way I make sure his clothes are ironed and play the perfect hostess when we have guests. I do it not because I am beneath him but because I love him and want to express it through actions. It's time we begin to appreciate our differences without taking insult from them

Answer 1

Seems like the feminists here are missing the asker's point, probably as they're so caught up in their defensiveness they're ready to lash out on a whim. Feminism likely stems from one's own emotional, psychological issues.. I see feminism as just a superiority complex, along with a general grudge against men.

Yes, there are differences between men and women. Not socially (at least there shouldn't be) but we ARE built differently. Do you really need scientific proof to know that men tend to be physically stronger than women? The sexes do play different roles in nature. Anyone who argues that should pull their head out of their ***. People are too caught up in the whole equality game to realize people are different. Respect it, accept it, stop being against it.

I hold the door for my girlfriend if I'm the first to open it, she does the same for me if it's the other way around. I don't see her or any other girl as a lesser human being.

edit.. Emotionally fueled, insulting posts don't make you look intelligent, despite the occasional big word being thrown in.

Answer 2

"Women are naturally more emotional" Quit stereotyping. I agree with Mo.

Answer 3

Firstly, you must understand that there are no hard and fast rules about what feminism means to every individual person who identifies with feminism. There are just as many variations in principles, as there are feminists. Basic values that I think most feminists agree with include "don't preclude me from doing anything, purely because of my gender", or "don't assume I can't do certain things because of my gender" or "don't undervalue me, becuase of my gender". Certainly there are more principles that many feminists find as commonalities, but stupid generalisations such as ones written here like "feminists are lesbians"  are wrong. Sure, you'll find some feminists are lesbians but in the most part, I think you'll find that assertion to be wrong.

As a feminist, I acknowledge that in the most part, men are physically stronger. Not always however. I don't belive that a blanket statement and belief that men are stronger should be used as a reason to preclude the entire female population from doing certain things. If a woman can run up the stairs of a burning building with a 15kg fire hose, then that woman should be able to work as a fire fighter. If she can't - just like many men wouldn't be able to, then she shouldn't get the job. Etc. Easy.

"Anyone who can attempt to give me a logical explanation as to why feminists think women should be like men please let me know"

I've never heard a feminist say that women should be like men. I have however, heard feminists say that we should have the same *access to opportunities* as men do. For example, in managerial positions it is assumed we can't fulfil the duties, purely because we're women. Women still only have a minor role in the majority of both public and private domains. You rarely hear of a women CEO or in other positions of power. It is generally assumed that men are more suited to this type of position. Why is that? And why is it that many women's experience of obtaining these positions usually involves having to work much much harder to prove herself than men usually do? If she is lucky enough to prove herself to employers and get the job, she often has to deal with BS from her peers, such as she only got the job, because she slept with the boss.

Unfortunately, anti-feminists enjoy spreading their hatred of feminism. They do this by ridiculing feminists, and attempting to make feminists look irrational, bitchy and selfish. All we want is to be treated fairly. For basic rights to be upheld, and not let stereotypes such as those often discussed here, stop us from being able to participate in things that men enjoy.

Answer 4

I think  you're getting some hostile responses from some of the feminists as like most people-they don't like being told they are just like a bunch of other radical or negative or closed-minded people-just like not all Christians or Muslims or Democrats or Republicans think alike - neither do feminists. The majority of feminists I've talked to want equal opportunities for men and women-it's obvious there are differences between men and women-opportunities are different from believing every item in society must be exactly equal.

-You're also making a few assumptions that are not necessarily proven by research-such as women are "naturally" more emotional. This is the gender and women's STUDIES forum so this crowd is less likely to agree with generalizations about women or men. You are free to have your opinion but your opinion does not make it a fact. Also-just because a number of people believe a gender stereotype does not make it a fact.

-You have assumed that feminists "think women should be like men"-that is not what feminists I know say. You're generalizing again. Most people don't like to be told what they say and think.

-Feminists come in many flavors-you're assuming again what feminists think being a women involves. If you had read a bit of what people on this forum say about themselves-many enjoy wearing make-up and frilly clothes - others don't- there are no rules about what you have to do if you're a feminist.

-There's been quite a few discussions on this forum about chivalry if you care to look at them-most women don't need anyone to open a door for them - but the majority of us are "nice" and accept courtesies even if we don't need them or like them. Of course-some feminists aren't going to appreciate it-but I've had my share of non-feminists yell at me for opening a door for them as well. Not everyone likes being "helped".  

-You're free to believe whatever you like about feminists and feminism-but making quite a few (negative) assumptions about them and expecting them to just sit by and knit is unrealistic. Most people don't like being told what they think. Feminists are individuals too.

Answer 5

I have very mixed feelings on the subject. I had brothers and was raised around their friends so I personally feel wierd letting guys do stuff for me...it's a pride thing. But every girl likes to be treated w/ respect and not just one of the guys so I think that there needs to be a balance. But a true feminist should just want women to live happy fulfilled lives (whether that's being a stay at home mom or a powerful executive)...shouldn't they?

ALso, I think girls should stick together, if u are a true feminist why would you put down another girl? Don't you think certain guys do that enough already? (I don't think all guys do...but some) I don't think anyone has a right to tell someone that they should care more about feminist issues. I'm sorry about some of your responses- you shouldn't be made to feel bad because you are a good wife.

Answer 6

Feminists....well are most likely Lesbians

Answer 7

You are asking for "logical explanation" yet fail to provide any.  Why do you ask for something you yourself cannot provide?



There is not a shred of scientific evidence in support of your gender stereotypes - which is all you draw upon.

Its c**p.

Inane claim #1: "men are genetically stronger".  

What on earth does that even mean? That men tend to be physically stronger?  Who gives a S***e?

Inane claim #2: "women are more emotional than men".

This is code for "women are inherently emotionally unstable".  No scientific evidence for this.

Inane claim #3: "etc" - self explanatory.  "Etc" is code for "I can't think of anything, real or not".

*I don't care how you do your "expressing"; that's your business.  What DOES bother me is when people like you rant and rave yet are unable to support their views empirically.  

We live in the post-industrial world; brute strength matters little.  Yes, as I wrote above men do tend to be physically stronger, yet "who gives a S***e"??  We no longer live in agricultural societies; we don't have oxen tilling our fields, and even our home sewing machines are computerized to the nth degree.  Using one is like flying the space shuttle.  I don't understand what it is you are complaining about.  When you can articulate something coherently, do call me.

'Equal' is a mathematical concept, and things don't need to be the same to be equal:

(2 + 2) = (4)

Different, yet entirely equal.  Maybe its failing to understand this basic concept that has you so confused?  Nutumi evidently doesn't understand this either.  The sad thing is that many people don't.

Answer 8

Well, according to your logic (e.g. because men are physically stronger men and women should be treated differently) a physically stronger larger man should open a door for a physically weaker smaller man, and offer to lift boxes for him too. Hm. How do you think that physically weaker smaller man would feel about that? Especially if he was perfectly capable of opening his own door and lifting his own boxes? And how about if the woman was physically stronger than the man who offered to lift the boxes? Wouldn't that be a bit silly?

Answer 9

The basic premise is p***s envy and with that you could say the envy of being the strongest.

Simplistically (yes simplistically) put it this way (forget I am talking about sports, put it with anything you like) You have 30 people and 2 people have to pick who is on your sides.

Mostly men are asked to join first, then the exceptional women, then the pee wee guys, then the usual women.

Its relative, because its envy of the strongest.

You could relate that to many different scenarios

Answer 10

Feminists, or I should say radical feminists, do not want equality, they want power.  They want to be able to do anything a man can do, so they must deny differences.  In other words the quest for equality is a deception. In the end, their goal is castration.

You attitude, on the other hand, is not only sensible but also refreshing.

Answer 11

Right On Sweetheart!  It's nice to hear someone recognizing and respecting the idea that men and women are created equal, but different, and that should be a cause of endearment between them and not a cause of contention.

You have such a great attitude toward this, that I have little more to say, except your man is a lucky guy to have such a supportive, loving lady such as you by his side.  Yes, I said, by his side, not behind him.  Go Girl!

Answer 12

You can have equality without focusing on who is physcially or emotionally stronger. Women around the world are deprived of education, the right to say no to s*x, the right to say no to arranged marriages, they are deprived of basic human rights, in the richer countries women are still paid less in job, see these have nohting to do with whos stronger or whatever. I think as a female you should care more.

Answer 13

Who's "our?" These are the differences between YOU and YOUR HUSBAND. Don't try to impose them on the rest of us. I like opening my own doors and doing my own heavy lifting. Does that make me less of a woman?

Answer 14

why u seek logic behind it ?

it is emotional & corrupted

Answer 15

well feminist view's aren't about equality there about superiority.

    The myth about wage gap is a perfect example.

Different jobs pay different amounts. Should a paralegal make the same salary as a lawyer?

        Should a family practitioner make the same as a nuero surgeon?

      Should a waitress make the same as a chef?

  Should a worker who works part time get the same amount as a worker who works not only full time but also over time?

  Should a worker who just works there own hours get paid the same as some one who works over time?

         Should a worker who took 10 years off and then goes back into the work force make the same as a worker who went to work everyday for 10 years?

Truth of the matter is female workaholics tend to make 15% more than there male co-workers.

       You cant expect an equal pay check without putting in equal work.  To suggest equal outcome irregardless of output is socialism. And we all know how well that system works.

    

    There is no wage gap. Just a work ethics gap.

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The reason why there are so few female ceo's is because most leave the work force to have children.

Answer 16

I just wanted to comment that not ALL feminists believe anything.  You are making a generalization.  There are many feminist theories, some I agree with, some I don't.  I identify as a feminist, and I don't believe in 'sameness' I believe in 'balance'.  Mostly I just get offended by the questions on YA that are used to bash feminists when feminists are men and women who are working for equality for women.

Answer 17

Actually, the term "men and women are equal" really means that "men and women have equal rights".

Early feminists fought so that women have equal rights.  That is what they existed for... there are people that claim to be feminists lately but they're just men-haters... You are safe to generally call that: Prejudice.

Answer 18

Bottom line is that, differences aside, men and women should be treated with equal respect.

Period.

Answer 19

we had a similar discussion yesterday dear

Answer 20

In the US, only men must register for The Draft. For women, it is optional.

Until this is addressed *any* feminist comment about inequality is simply laughable.