Why is the stereotype about female feminists "just" being hairy-legged make-up haters so popular?

Question

Do you hear this in real-life or only on the net-in a forum like this? Do you think it is just used to denigrate female feminists; is it ignorance of feminism: or is it a warning to those who may sympathize with feminist goals of equality? Here's more ideas to ponder about why this stereotype is so popular about feminists: http://finallyfeminism101.wordpress.com/2008/02/09/faq-hairy-legged/

Why do you think being considered hairy-legged and a make-up hater is such a big deal? What do you think is the reason this stereotype is so popular?

Answer 1

To use the popular misogynists statement, it's simply naming and shaming language.

Immature tactics that are used to embarrass and belittle any woman who wants to ensure on better rights for women and have them stay that way.

It's only politically correct nowadays apparently to speak of supporting men's rights, for a woman.  Heaven help her if she supports women's rights as well or only women's rights.

Answer 2

What can i say..

I saw so many hairy feminists, artistic women in my life. And even more lately, it made a huge come back not to shave anymore. At least in Montreal.

I believe the stereotype is strong because, still a majority of these feminists are contributing to it.

Answer 3

What's really funny is that I shave my legs less and wear no make-up now after I have changed my views and pushed aside many of my feminist thoughts and ways!

Answer 4

It's a well-known courtroom technique:  when the facts aren't on your side, argue personality.

Answer 5

Stereotypes like that only serve to make someone look bad. Some people will resort to anything to accomplish that.

Answer 6

The King likes hairy women, but not dirty feminists. They wreak of patchouli oil and vile hatred for males.

Answer 7

it's an unjust attack.....women's vulnerability would be their looks....attacking women's looks would seem the logical target...it also attacks our sexuality, which has been a common attack over the years (same for men who support feminism - they're referred to as pu$$ies or g*y)

it is also used as a warning against would-be supporters. who wants to have their looks & sexuality attacked? only those of us with spines and brains survive the assaults & i do not say that lightly or patronizingly....sometimes it really takes gumption....i've seen many a woman writer stop writing due to attacks...it has truly saddened me. everyone should have a voice. i'm tired of being depicted but not heard.

it's oppressive.

Answer 8

Well, here's my go at this:

I think it's because the people who view them as, you know, hairy leggers and make-up haters, aren't use to the idea that there are feminists out there. I mean, it's been a way of society for so long to have the man to be the man and the woman to be well, a woman. After many, many generations of people thinking this way, it's odd to think that it could be any other way. People who are against the wave of the stereotypical women out there are independent and individual kind. And I suppose, the only way to defend yourself to these feminists and to be placed outside of that category is to place bad qualities on top of these women and make them appear as to be like...haters of 'real' women, I guess you could say.

I'm not entirely sure of this theory but long story short, I think people just aren't use to it and has to use not-so-great words in order to justify it.  Feminists are most definitely NOT as described and are just human beings with their own thoughts and ideas. They are entitled to be themselves, however way they want. Just as anyone is.

Answer 9

It's easier for those people to say that Feminists are that than to accept them as equal.  They're intimidated by the beauty and brains of a Feminist.

Answer 10

Did you see the Wolf when she was on the Ali-G show? I thought she was a bit of a MILF.

*It won't let me post the link for some reason, go to youtube and type in Naomi Wolf(she is a feminist) and Ali-G, it is pretty good.

Answer 11

It stems from the same ego-saving place where, "She turned me down. She must be a L*****n" comes from. Something to do with wounded vanity.

Answer 12

Because with any stereotype there is a small grain of truth. An on that commonality people can focus there dislikes to that.

Answer 13

Could it be that at some point feminism thought that spurning the razor and make-up was a revolutionary act of feminism? That stood out and it is remembered in the stereotype.

Answer 14

For the same reason that it is popular to characterize certain groups of men as knuckle-dragging, beer swilling, bottom pinchers.  It creates a polarizing image that invokes an emotional response.  Characterizing the "enemy" as someone to be scorned or laughed has been around for a long, long time.

Answer 15

Because it's an insult to a woman's femininity. Anything to make any woman feel bad about her shape or appearance is used as a tool against them to make the ones who buy into this stereotype feel like they've accomplished something by putting a feminist down.

Any one with good common sense knows that there is a good possibility that not all feminist are hairy-legged, fat, ugly, or look like men; Or my favorite one, a L*****n. Remember, for most of the people who preach this belief, to them every woman is a feminist and fit into this category.

Answer 16

You forgot man-hating.  If there were no truth to the stereotype, it would never have started or at least would've been disproved by now.  Feminists only have themselves to blame.

Answer 17

It is only held by weak easily intimidated males

Answer 18

I don't know why it's so popular. I wonder if, perhaps, it has some roots back in the days of bra-burnings and the like.

I think being considered hairy-legged is a big deal for some  because it's a bit insulting. Most feminists aren't like that. It's like when people assume that at-home mother of little ones = spit up stained sweatpants, overweight, and boring. It's insulting because it isn't often the truth.