Why is there a common misconception with anti-feminism and a woman's freedom?

Question

Just because a person...let's be specific...A MAN does not agree with feminism, why does that mean he is disrespectful of women? Am I wrong to think that many people who support feminism, look at "anti" or "Non" feminist responses and say, "He's not a feminist...He's anti-woman!!"

Answer 1

Saying that if someones dislikes feminism they dislike women is a pretty corny tactic feminists use. A step up from small p***s/mommy issues/g*y, but not too clever either.

I support equal rights for women, but because this doesn't extend to supporting the opportunity for women to do whatever they h**l they like (e.g. stick men in jail for no good reason) I am against feminism. I have nothing against women in general. Heck, I even met one of them once...

Answer 2

They think by being an anti feminist you want to lock them in the house all day chained to the stove. In my case, I am for the woman's right to work, vote, and get an education. I am against unfair reproductive & family laws, the censoring of speech, and corporate/government funded daycare.

Answer 3

Well, it depends on your definition of feminism.  If feminism is the belief that women are not second-class citizens, we deserve equal pay for equal work, and we're not the scum of the earth because we have ovaries, and a man disagrees with that, isn't he sexist, then?

Answer 4

I judge people based on what they say. I would not say that YOU, for instance, are "anti-woman" even though you don't agree with feminism. There are some men here who are "anti-feminist" who do not hate women.

Then there are those here that DO hate women, and use "feminism" as a by-word...but inevitably slip up and say "women" where they meant to put "feminists."

They are ridiculously easy to spot.

Answer 5

It depends on why he doesn't agree with feminism. (Feminism means women should have the same rights as men have, and anyone who doesn't support that is an a**hat in my book. If he doesn't agree with feminism because he thinks feminists are all screaming manhaters, he needs to meet more feminists.)

If somebody disagrees with feminism because they think all women should stay home and nurture their husbands and kids, that means they (a) want women to have limited options and (b) think women are only good for that one thing. That's anti-woman.

(Don't forget that many antifeminists here tend to complain about women rather than feminists - why don't women use logic, why do women spend so much on silly things like purses, why are women so easily brainwashed by the liberals, etc. Do I have to explain why *that* is anti-woman?)

Answer 6

When defining a reactionary movement, the definition of what they are opposing is really what counts. Therefore, if feminism is fundamentally in favour of gender equality, anti-feminism would be fundamentally against gender equality. Most of today's anti-feminists are opposed to the extremists only.

Otherwise, you can't deny that some self-proclaimed anti-feminists have made misogynistic comments before.

Answer 7

Anti-feminist women hear the same rhetoric. Some feminists believe that women who hold to true to feminists ideals are the only true women. About that freedom thing; nowadays freedom is as freedom does.

Answer 8

You stop short in your argument...you agree that gender inequality exists not just in the west but all over the globe, and women are still striving for equality in all aspects of life...but you focus on the western obsession of 'material equality' You don't agree with MODERN feminism, eh? what? So you are all for equality, but not ALL of it! What do you mean? So, that is not equality...women do not want to be men, they simply want to be afforded the same cultural privileges and rights...don't then obfuscate the issue by confusing other forms of oppression! Yes, men are also oppressed but by class and race...feminists are derided, and ridiculed what power base do you think they operate from...?

Answer 9

I love women! Where would we be without them? I do not agree with Modern Day Feminism, but I am all for equal rights. How are we ever going to find a good lady if they are all accusing us of being sexist against them?

Ladies, have you ever stopped to realize that not all men are evil and sexist? You can be against what Feminism has become and still treat a woman like she is precious. Come on!

Answer 10

Its true that you can be for equality, and that you would be willing to fight to the death to secure these things that we hold dear.

Equality and Feminism are not joined at the hip. By not supporting feminism doesnt make you anti-women any more than being against the Black Panthers makes you anti-black.

Feminist will label you as anti-women as a means of censoring your views should they not agree 100% with their own in the same way you will be labeled a racist if you disagree with Obama. Ultimately its all politics and words are used to bully you into submission.

Most men and Most women in America embrace equality across both genders, they do this without thought its a natural point of view, the fact that this isn't common across the globe has nothing at all to do with us and we shouldn't be held liable for other societies shortcomings.