From newsworthy appearances by Hollywood celebrities and marketing campaigns on college campuses, the feminist movement is making waves.
Before the discussion gets foggy, let me clear the air. Women in the workplace deserve to make the same amount as their male counterparts. No one asks to get raped by wearing certain clothes or making certain decisions. Women should have control over their bodies – reproductive parts and processes included.
What I don’t completely comprehend is feminism.
Maybe it is because I don’t have the perspective of a woman or personally experienced the concerns of the movement. Perhaps I’m missing the point entirely. But what if the message just isn’t clear?
There are definitions that differ between dictionaries, societies, political ideology and the spectrum of demographic categories. Reactions from onlookers, supporters and opposition are equally as varying.
I think this is where I tend to fall off of the feminism bandwagon. I can’t define it – for myself or for anyone.
The dictionary tells me feminism is about bringing women on equal ground with men politically, socially and economically. Some feminists give me that definition, as well.
Others tell me it is a battle for all genders. But then I get confused again because the name itself is feminism. If it is for everyone, then why isn’t its very name gender neutral?
Then, the kicker. It is to build women up to the same playing field as men – the one they strive for and deserve. But then I hear, “men are scum,” or, “I hate men. They’re pigs.”
What? Equality just went out the window.
Men are parents and stay-at-home dads. We have fears and anxieties. Some things embarrass us and social expectations bar us from being upfront and totally honest. We have to man up. Rape culture among men is a hush-hush and men are gay, too. Men and women are not that far apart.
It, indeed, will take a movement. There will be a movement for women and then a backtracking to pick up the men that have been raped and humiliated, teased and kept down when they really don’t want to “man up” because it isn’t who they are.
I’m not saying we need a movement for men. I’m saying we need one movement for the sexes – one that is clear and on a platform that is open.
Mullis, a senior criminal justice major from Wallburg, is an opinion writer.
Kat • Oct 14, 2014 at 3:39 pm
If you would actually pay attention to the new “wave” of feminism you refer to then you would see that this new wave is about about including men into the realm of feminism. It is not about man-hating. You should go watch Emma Watson’s speech in front of the UNGA on feminism and maybe you would learn something about this new wave. She addresses that men have problems that are very similar to women’s problems. I’d also suggest you take a women’s studies class.
Ali • Oct 14, 2014 at 8:56 am
If you don’t understand something perhaps your time would be better spent doing research and learning about the topic that interest you, rather then write an vague article that adds nothing to the ongoing cultural conversation regarding gender politics. Support your opinion with information so next time I’m not embarrassed by my alma mater.
M'Lady • Oct 13, 2014 at 8:18 pm
You have been inducted into the Order of the Beige Fedora.
Lozo • Oct 13, 2014 at 6:04 pm
I agree with Charles. Crap.
Matt • Oct 13, 2014 at 4:33 pm
You believe this? “Women in the workplace deserve to make the same amount as their male counterparts. No one asks to get raped by wearing certain clothes or making certain decisions. Women should have control over their bodies – reproductive parts and processes included.” Then you are a feminist!
Billy • Oct 13, 2014 at 4:06 pm
What charles said. These are the types of questions that, if sincere, you can get easy answers to in the existing literature, rather than posing them in the public sphere where you risk contributing to the dumbing down of humanity and making yourself look like a tool.
slex • Oct 13, 2014 at 12:49 pm
lol
Kristin • Oct 10, 2014 at 6:53 pm
It’s called feminism because it’s about creating equality between the genders by bringing females up to the same level as males. There’s no need to change the name.
MC • Oct 10, 2014 at 12:28 pm
Or take a class. Please learn a little before you speak. I’m sorry that the fact that women are angry upsets your privileged self. Get over yourself. This is what women have been fighting to gain for centuries so forgive us if were a tiny bit upset with men who constantly make more than us, who are allowed opportunities that have been denied us. A father gets a pat on the back when he’s seen taking care of the kids. My mother constantly took care of me and my brothers, cleaned the house, cooked, and held a full time job in which she would never make as much as a man would. Other women deal with that on top of race issues, or single parenthood, or even the cycle of poverty. I’m sorry that your feelings are hurt. Men are told to man up and women are told to take it quietly.
We may be allowed to cry but we’re not allowed to stop it from happening. You might get a gold star for every A you make in every class, women get surprised looks. In college classes, it begins when a woman says something and is immediately glossed over by a man who then makes the same comment, with maybe different wording. A man is told he’s brilliant while a woman is told that she doesn’t quite get it. Forgive us that it’s frustrating that men fill our history books and “Women’s History” is looked at as an elective, a nonessential part of a well rounded education.
I may not agree with all Hilary Clinton’s policies but all I hear is, “What a bitch.” I don’t think I’ve ever heard a man in government referred to as a “bitch” so easily. If you think that mankind refers to everyone, why don’t you walk into the Men’s bathroom and tell me if the whole world is in there. And maybe this is too angry for you and maybe it’s not even you that I’m talking to but it really is. It’s people like you. You talk before you listen, something we’re all guilty of, but too many times have I heard these comments made. Frankly, I’m tired of this, of ignorance. You want to learn? By all means, you go to college. Nothing is stopping you.Don’t leave this university before you learn about feminism. We have an entire department to choose from. And maybe it’s frustrating because you can’t do anything, because want it or not you are the cause of our predicament. So, maybe instead of speaking you should listen. Isn’t that the case with any marginalized group? It is something I struggle to do. Rather than take the lead, why don’t you listen? Why don’t you support? You will never understand but you can listen. No one can ignore history and trying to move ahead like women have never experienced oppression, like we can just make this better by snapping our fingers exudes an ignorance that I can no longer abide by. And take a hint, when women call men “d-bags” or “scum” they’re probably speaking from experience. You are the privileged party in this situation.
AMD • Oct 9, 2014 at 10:35 pm
What you are missing it that feminism is simply an umbrella term for the idea of equality of the sexes.
Throwing out the entire feminist movement because a few self-proclaimed feminists you’ve met have a problematic opinions of men is kind of like saying you don’t “get” muslims (because ISIS!) or you don’t understand christians (because Westboro Baptist Church!) In reality, there is no one Islam or Christianity or Feminism. There are plural Islams, Christianities, and Feminisms. There are as many forms as there are believers. For some muslims murdering gentiles may be part of gods plan. For some christians, protesting gay soldiers funerals might be part of their faith. For some feminists, putting down men might be part of raising women up. However, I think you would find that a majority of muslims, christians, and feminists are horrified by the behavior of these few extremists among them and in many cases disown them.
Your piece has caused a lot of anger because your opinion is based on some broad assumptions about all feminists based on your encounters with a few.
A form of feminism where men are told to “man up” is extremely problematic indeed, at least in my opinion, but last I checked feminism was very simply “the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men”. Go ahead! Go look in the dictionary. I think you would be hard pressed to find a well-educated emotionally stable feminist who hates men For me, being feminist means my femininity is not threatened by a man who does not conform to gender roles or pressures to fit some cisgendered notion of masculinity. Nor am I threatened by a woman who does not fulfill my stereotypes. In some sense, I feel like feminism is actually being overtaken by the genderqueer movement…. Which is the idea that any person should have the right live out any gender roles he/she/ze might wish.
In your article you made it pretty clear that you think men shouldn’t be forced into one definition of masculinity. I would like to see you talk more about the challenges that stay-at-home dads face or how our culture discourages men from expresses their feelings or talking about assault and sexual abuse. This is a very real problem and I think it goes hand-in-hand, not in opposition to, the gender roles pushed on women.
I hope you will explore these ideas further and try to separate the very philosophy of feminism from the character of those who identify with it. I think you might find you’re a little bit of a feminist after all.
charles • Oct 9, 2014 at 7:42 pm
This is crap.
Please read a book.
mike • Oct 13, 2014 at 6:34 pm
“Maybe it is because I don’t have the perspective of a woman…”
Yep. Wish you’d stopped there.