Why do people have SUCH misguided views about what it means to be a feminist?

Question

Anna: Thanks for your answer...and no, I have no intention of being silenced. I am a proud feminist. I just want to understand the huge misconceptions people have around feminism.

Answer 1

I consider myself to be a feminist, but to me, its a just a part of my identity as a woman.  I am so many other things, and being a feminist is one of those things - it doesn't define me as a big butch bra burner.  

I do think that strong, intelligent women with knowledge and opinions about feminist issues are intimidating to men, and perhaps other women.  I think we are certainly stereotyped.  

Your idea for a campaign "This is what a feminist looks like" is excellent.  It may make feminism accessible to other women which can only be a good thing.  Can I get involved?

Answer 2

Spend too much time on here and you'll get the idea that there are a lot of anti-feminists in the world, when in fact there are five with multiple IDs who probably all met when they went in search of that better adult diaper.

Step into the real world and you'll find most *thinking* people are at least open to discussing these issues.

For the non-thinking, well they are mostly just going to belive whatever the next tabloid headline is, so if it says 'feminism is great' they'll soon change their minds.

Hey ~ there's an angle people haven't worked too hard on yet ~ tabloid headlines.

Seriously, the "This is what a feminist looks like" idea is a great one.

Cheers :-)

Answer 3

I could not tell you why you have such a misguided view about what it is to be a feminist lol. But you do realise that first wave and second wave advocated completely different concepts don't you?

First wave was concerned with the fair and thus equitable treatment of men and women. It was equitable for them to have the same rights and opportunities. However, when this did not lead to the desirable outcome of equality (for example same number of men and women in high powered positions) they were forced to change tact and pursue equality exclusively.

This says alot, fairness when it suits you? When you don't get what you want out of it you just pursue what you think should be the outcome of equal rights and opportunity.

I respect what first wave feminists were seeking to achieve, I have zero respect for greedy people, male or female.

This applies to racial issues too just so there's no confusion

Answer 4

No one likes to be preached to...you get the same reaction as someone telling people they are a Jehovah's Witness.

Answer 5

The 'raison d'etra' of the feminist zealot is to attack and undermine men. Promoting women as victims of men, merely provides them with the excuse. Female benefactors, realising that they are on to a good thing, will do nothing to stop it.

They started with 'equality of opportunity' and have moved  toward 'equality of outcome'. It is a multi headed dragon with as many facets as you can shake a stick at.

It is an evil creed, perpetuated by feminists in education through the brainwashing of our children, and perpetuated by the TV media.

It is self serving, fuelled by hate, and has/is doing great damage to male/female relations and to society generally. It has spawned such evils as 'abortion on demand', the giving out of condoms and abortion advice to eleven year olds without their parents knowledge.

I think that the vast majority of intelligent men have sussed out feminism, and are starting to react to it. It's about time, because it is an evil creed fuelled by hate.

Please spare me the lecture, because I have too much experience of working with so called feminists in education to ever change my mind. Furthermore, observing the actions of people like Harriet Harman in the Labour Government, tells me all I need to know.

Answer 6

Personally, I was totally put off feminism by reading The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan, which I found offensive in the extreme in its virulent attack on stay-at-home wives.  I do not like modern feminism, and I do not identify with it.

Answer 7

well said, and i answered a question by someone called Veritas and its either been pulled because it was somewhat offensive, or he deleted my answer. What many forget that without the early suffragettes they wouldn't have any freedoms today, and the women that followed only wanted and still want equality, to be treated with respect and to have a fair crack of the whip, in the workplace. I have fought against the prejudice against women in all places and will continue to do so, its not a dirty word.

Answer 8

I guess they expect you to be running through the street burning your bra!?

I think strong women intimidate some men, and this is why feminists get a bad rep, there's this picture of butchy hairy agressive women beating up men and telling them to hoover or something like that, the word feminist has been completely miss perceived - people don't understand that it supports womens rights to be equal-it's not a load of dikey butch women shouting there demands.... we live in a very daft world where everything has some stupid stereotypical ideology, such as blondes are dumb, brunettes are boring, short men are agressive.... and so on so forth

Answer 9

It's easier to believe stereotypes and blame the problems of the world (and especially your personal life) on others instead of realizing the world is a mixture of fairness and injustice-no movement is all bad or all good-nor are the people who are involved in it all alike. Feminism has changed greatly over the last four decades but you'd never know it by many of the ignorant comments made about it-as many of the answers to your question demonstrate.

Answer 10

It's just easier to assume than to learn.

Answer 11

Yes, incredibly some people still think that feminism is about equality when there is so much evidence worldwide that feminism is about getting special rights for women and putting men down e.g. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Edit

And if anyone still thinks feminism is so wonderful after reading this review of feminism and domestic violence against men (by Prof Linda Kelly) then they will follow feminism no matter what it really represents http://www.law.fsu.edu/journals/lawrevie...

Edit

Anyone who reads the links I have posted and still supports the feminist movement is either an idiot or a bigot. Or perhaps both.

Answer 12

Because in the 70s and 80s when feminism was at it's strongest point in this country there were some women who were not pushing for equality - but rather power.

Because men (e.g. 50% of the world!) feel threatened by feminists.

Because it is very rare to see an advert belittling women now but there are plenty that belittle men.

Because men are feel very disenchanted at the moment and don't even feel involved in education.

Answer 13

Hm. I agree with you. Same thing when I say to people I'm an anarchist. This assume this means that I want to light government buildings on fire? But I just feel like if we are all equal, why can't we govern ourselves, why do we have to ALWAYS put a few people in control of everything? (Compared to the population of America)

I think people don't like the word feminist because they are scared. The way they fight it is by using propaganda, which gives feminism a bad rap. But in some colleges, there are a lot of gender studies girls who DO give feminism a bad rap and just use men which isn't any better.

I think you should stop caring about what people think a feminist is. That's the only way we can give it a better rap. Just because some republicans are really bad, doesn't mean EVERY republican is. It's a rash generalization and it's only purpose is to destroy.

I would consider myself a feminist, but I still have a boyfriend. I still people I'm a feminist and my views and at first they are taken back but I think it's because in our society a lot of people aren't taught to think for themselves, but use stereotypes as a way to distinguish people so they can divide and conquer.

So don't let yourself be divided and conquered. If you let people's preconceived notions of feminism silence you, then you are doing exactly what they wanted you to do.

Answer 14

The only feminism that counts in the real world is hard line radical feminism, it does not matter if you believe feminism is all bunny rabbits friendship bracelets, that is in no way going to deter the  hard line feminists agenda.

Besides, misandry is so wide spread in feminism, even moderate liberal feminists are enormously sexist with out realising it.

If you are choosing to associate with an organization that spreads anti male propaganda, lobbys for gender biased laws, the marginalization of fathers and destruction of the family, you can only expect criticism in todays climate, the anti feminist movement has only begun, there is  plenty of questioning of feminism in the mainstream media to come.

I put it to you that it is you, that is misguided about feminism.

Please, take the time to read doodlebugjim's links with an open mind as he has gone to the trouble of posting them for you.

Answer 15

Because the laws changed to favor women ala divorce, etc.

n***s and Communists started the same way; people laughed at them till they started to kill.

Answer 16

in a few words based on the experience i have had with feminists in college and elsewhere i have come to dislike them because i noticed a lot self righteousness in that movement (men are all bad and women always know better and blah blah blah) and i have noticed a lot of misandry as well, any man who disagrees with feminist beliefs is considered a misogynist and a sexist and women who disagree with feminism are either viewed as "submissive and weak" or "yet to be liberated" I usually refrain from arguing with feminists especially on here because a lot of them only view things their own way and often disregard any opinion that does not match theirs and progress can never be made with the narrow minded.

Answer 17

words are cheap.

       I judge feminism by it's actions. It has resulted in the property theft, monetary theft of hard working men.

     Feminists have caused laws to be passed that restrict mens rights.

             Feminists usually harass and insult and demonize men routinely on college campus.

    Feminists have turned the entire American education system into a totalitarian organization hostile towards males.

      The list goes on and on.

     Simple stop allowing other feminists to insult men, stop allowing blatantly sexist laws to be passed.

       Stop allowing the family court to  rape men after a divorce.

      But the thing is women benefit waaay to much from the status qua and I doubt they would want to risk having real equality with all the responsibility and stuff.

Answer 18

What IS feminism. It seems an aw ful narrow selfish creed to me, obsessed with middle class professional women. There are vast tracts of the world where women are treated like dirt andhave precious few rights, but do western feminists ever seriously campaign to improve the lives of oppressed foreign women ? NO !!! There is a huge amount of work for privileged western feminists to do in this world, but they don't do it.

Answer 19

1. there are millions of you.

2. you are all different.

3. you NEED to learn that in 2008 people can think what they want.

4. you NEED to be tolerant of people's beliefs. not everyone is pro-feminist.

ultimately, i agree that there are many people who wrongly hate feminists and don't have a good idea of what they are, but its 2008 and you can't control what they think! they can hate if they want to, thats the whole POINT of having political beliefs - people will always disagree. Don't ask why. That's like asking why someone likes rap music, or likes the color green, or the taste of apples....... they just do.

Answer 20

lol I know, tell me about it. So many deluded mindless brain washed feminists, actually think feminism is about equality.

Feminism is nothing but sexist. Third wave. This wave.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Edit

Yes the old "This is what a sexist looks like" campaign. Utter failure.

Answer 21

Tell me what a feminist is  supposed to be and ill answer.Maybe thats the answer to your question that its never been properly defined.