In high school, I was taught that feminists were women who hated men and burned their bras in anger. In college I’m still hearing things like “I believe in equality, not feminism” and I have to resist the urge not to laugh in their faces because they have it all completely wrong. Everyone needs feminism because it’s not just women’s issues we want to address. Women’s issues have a lot to do with feminism, but over the years, it has absorbed a vast amount of issues that it wants to fight to end. Here are 15 reasons why we all need it:
1. The Wage Gap
To fight to end the wage gap between men and women. Believe it or not, women are still making 79 cents to the man’s dollar. And that's not taking into consideration if they're a woman or man of color. There're differences in pay depending on what you look like and what you're made of. What’s fair is fair. A woman can work just as hard as a man but still will be paid less. This isn’t equality this is sexism.
2. Gender roles.
How many times have you heard a guy called gay because he showed his emotions? Or how about if a woman wants to be an engineer and a mom. If a man wants to share his feelings he shouldn't be afraid to and if a woman wants to be able to have children and work in an engineering field, it shouldn't be that challenge.
Remember: We like dinner rolls, not gender roles (Thanks, Nick Cream)
2. LGBTQIA rights.
Yes, we just legalized gay marriage federally but there is still a lot more that needs to be done. No one talks about non-cis gender topics like people who identify as gender non-binary and we barely scratch the surface when it comes to transgender issues. Feminism fights to make LGBTQIA rights, topics, and issues just as common and important as all the other “normal” issues.
3. To demolish racism.
Stereotyping, police brutality and discrimination based off of the color of someone’s skin. Feminism doesn’t just focus on white women (sorry white feminists who hate Beyoncé). Women of color will be more likely to face multiple types of biases because of their gender and their skin color.
And to address the stereotypes that other marginalized communities face upholding the idea of masculinity and the other stereotypes and expectations that come with not being a straight, white, cis man.
4. To stop slut shaming.
If you have a lot of sex, you’re a whore. But if you don’t then you’re a prude. Why does it have to be a double-edged sword? Too many times do I hear women say that they like being a 'hoe' and sleeping with guys. Ladies, you can like sleeping with guys and not have to call yourself a hoe. You do you.
5. Rape Culture.
To address the rape culture that we have in the United States and all over the world. Nearly 1 in 5 (18.3%) women and 1 in 71 men have reported experiencing rape at some time in their lives. We as a society normalize sexual jokes and violent/aggressive behavior because we say it's the we're supposed to be. We don't make survivors of rape feel safe because we say "Were you asking for it?" or "Well if you're wearing those clothes..." instead of being supportive and a system where we hold the perpetrator accountable.
6. Rape Jokes
Because jokes about rape create an unsafe environment for people who have been sexually assaulted, harassed, etc. It’s beyond cruel to make jokes about a person having their body intruded upon and violated against their will.
7. Demeaning Jokes In General
Because jokes like “You belong in the kitchen” is something that hits too close to close to home seeing as women weren’t allowed to even vote until the early 19th century. A woman and a man can belong wherever the heck they want to belong.
8. To stop sexualizing woman in the media.
I don’t see men walking around in towels shaving their legs seductively on the side of the bathtub. P.s. I don’t know many women that enjoy shaving their legs that much….
9. Body image.
Everyone should love their body for what it is, not just what the media, society and other people say is beautiful. Anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders aren't just women's issues. There shouldn't be one way to look at it, everyone is born in their own unique way and they shouldn't feel the need to change for society.
Circumcision is another topic under body image that feminism addresses. It's a topic worth looking into and there are many debates whether this body-altering decision. Like should this happen on a newborn baby who can't consent? There are other health factors to look into as well such as loss of penis sensitivity and STI prevention.
10. For Safety
When a woman walks alone at night she shouldn’t feel like she needs pepper spray, just in case. Or when she goes to the bathroom she shouldn’t feel the urge to bring a friend for company aka safety.
Personally, if a group of guy walks by me when I'm alone I have to fight the urge to walk in a different direction. It shouldn't be like that.
11. Politics
My voice is unmatched in Congress. Women make up about 19.4 % of Congress meaning that men are able to have a greater weight on the decisions made about women. But I want to be able make my own decision about my body. And I want to be equally represented by the system that governs our country. Men are deciding whether or not I need birth control and if I can or can’t have an abortion. It’s my body, my choices.
12. Masculinities' Role in Society
To put an end to the high expectations of men being masculine. Men don’t always have to be the breadwinners, and people shouldn’t be surprised when a dad stays home to take care of his kids instead of working.
13. Derogatory Terms.
The average person can probably think of more derogatory terms for women than men in one sitting. Now we don't have to get into a fight about it not being fair and that men should have more derogatory terms towards them. How about we just stop insulting each other instead?
14. Leadership
Because when a woman is in charge she’s sassy, bossy, b*tchy. But when a man is in charge he is a leader, strong, tough. And the average woman will have more factors that come into play when she wants to take charge such as not being taken seriously, being considered too heartless, and not being able to be a mother and a leader.
15. The Patriarchy
To put an end to the patriarchal and hierarchal society we live in. It can create benefits for some people, mainly white men, but then take advantage of people without power or enough power. This isn't to say that men will be poorly affected by the patriarchy, everyone gets hurt to some effect. That's why it needs to end.
This list could go on and on. If my reasons why everyone needs feminism aren’t enough then go read a book such as Feminism is for Everybody or go to websites like www.everydayfeminism.com that have thousands of articles talking about all the issues that feminism wants to pummel into the abyss.
So no you don't have to burn your bra or hate men to be a feminist. Honestly, you just have to care enough about people to want them to live life without feeling excluded or discriminated against.
