Why is there so much misunderstanding about what a feminist is?

Question

Why is there so much misunderstanding about what a feminist is?

Answer 1

It is because there are lots of women claiming to be "feminists" but they are really just man haters! Us feminists just want women to be treated as equals to men and be given the same chances as them! We want to be successful business women, not stay at home moms! We want to be treated with the respect we deserve!

It is very sad when other people say feminism is about man haters and such as we have worked so hard to get where we are.  

Answer 2

Feminism was an institution of thought that was only accepted by large amount of the male population because it did not make women equal it only made them more available for sexual pleasures.  One example is the concept of swinging and sexual liberation.  These ideas were charged to make women sexual objects.

The term Feminism does not even align with the idea it was supposed to accomplish: equality.  S.C.U.M. is more in terms with the authoritative system of femininity.

I am, however, all for gender equality.  

Answer 3

Probably because people claim that feminism is about equality but the actions of feminists prove the opposite.

Answer 4

fear, sometimes peope think they will lose something, not many people willingly give up advantage

Answer 5

The misunderstandings are probably related to different types of feminism.  First wave, second wave, blahblahblah.  While wikipedia isn't always the most entrusted in displaying factual information.. it does help to clarify things.

Answer 6

Partly because there's no one standard definition.  The label can apply to people of diametrically opposed fundamental values.

Answer 7

I understand what a feminist is, they are evil creatures to talk about equal rights while at the same time taking men's.

Answer 8

A feminist is a woman who strives for equality between the sexes; however, some are more prone to relate that to female supramacy and let the men pay for their sins, thus the term radical feminism was coined.  Most feminists do not follow that radical route.

One does not have need to be a feminist is order to understand what I just said.

Answer 9

Because feminists hold different opinions.

Because some people believe everything they read.

Because some people aren't willing to understand.

The more I read posts on GWS from male anti-feminists, the more I think that most of them are just a bit piqued at being 'left out'. Feminism is - and should be - about women's rights. Men are just upset that there is something where men are not the focus, where men cannot control and define what it is.  

Answer 10

The basic reason for "misunderstanding" about femism is that its bosses just don't want to be pinned down and called to account. (It is like trying to grasp a slimy eel.)

Most people have heard of feminism's infamous 'three waves'. But not many realise that there are literally hundreds of different 'feminisms'! Just take your pick.

As an equalist, I am opposed to the feminisms and all kinds of gender-centric and race-centric ideological credos.

They are all roads to nowhere.

Answer 11

Because it's easier to call people man-hating lesbians than it is to listen to what they have to say.

Answer 12

Because for some reason people tend to think it's message is that women are better than men, when in fact it's about equality for women. Plus, you get some really annoying scary feminists which make other women reluctant to be associated with them.

Answer 13

Some people refuse to look beyond their own prejudices. Others are simply mixed up about the many differences of opinion among feminists. (Yes, we have them.)

Answer 14

Because they profess equality but it stops there.

Answer 15

There's no misunderstanding.  Feminists say they love men but act like they hate men.

Answer 16

Primarily because it's a "pretty" sounding term (unlike n**i or Misanthrope) so it easily attracts unwitting minds.  Also it's predicated on the belief that it's born out of a reasonable movement, i.e. the so-called 1st wave of feminism.

The is the inherent beauty of modern Feminism that it empoys occult methods of recruitment and ensures that the fundamental tenets remain clandestine.

For this reason it's so critical to nip this egregious threat in the bud before it's too late.

Frankly, it's so deeply engrained into academia and political influence that attempting to marginalize its influence will reqiure very powerful lobbying and Federal advancement of registry of its affiliates.

Answer 17

Many seem to think its about equality, friendship bracelets and bunny rabbits.

Answer 18

I don't think there are misunderstandings about feminism, it just means different things to different people, based on their own experiences with it. It's a subjective label. A side that one person may not be able to see may be reality for someone else.