Feminism is the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. There is an everlasting assumption that feminism is a revolutionary act formed by defiant, outrageous women against all men. Because of it, people disregard feminism and try to silence the movement’s beneficial intentions. Feminism is not only for women, but for men as well. It is a movement to help eliminate "boys don't cry" and the unrealistic expectations for men in our society, as well as those for women.
Along with this assumption, teens think that women in the United States have gotten everything they need: suffrage, money, freedom of speech. Basic human rights, right? Wrong. Here is a simplified, incomplete list of what women still lack and why we deserve it all (although it’s shocking that this even needs an explanation).
1. Respect
The sexualization of women is an ongoing struggle along with catcalling, slut-shaming, and virgin-shaming. A woman’s body belongs to her; whatever she chooses to do with it is her choice and her responsibility. The stereotypes of “the Madonna and the Whore” (virgin or whore) view women as sexualized objects and limit them to pick one or the other. Women are human; we feel, we think, we exist, and there is an underlying expectation for women to look and act for men. Be whatever you want to be! You are the boss of your body and your choices. You exist to please you.
2. Realistic Body Expectations
Barbies, magazines, and even mothers influence girls to look for parts on their body they dislike. Advertisements section women’s bodies (legs, arms, stomach, breasts) and girls do the same when looking in the mirror. Picking piece by piece, they wonder how to change these features to look more like a disproportioned Barbie, who weighs in at 110 pounds, has a 39" bust,18" waist, 33" hips, and would have to walk on all fours or her body would snap in half. Instead of changing, girls should be taught, by the strongest influential force (the media), that they should love their bodies and appreciate differences.
3. Appreciation for Each Other
Women are supposed to be mean to each other in our society; they should compete, compare, and shame each other. But this is not what feminism is about at all and this is not how women will excel. A unified front: all women standing together and fighting for what we all need is what’s necessary and important. Girls are friends, not competitors! What’s the point in comparing one woman to another? We’re all unique. Self-love and an appreciation for one another will allow the third wave of feminism to break through assumptions and aid in the fight against sexism.
This, like I said before, is an incomplete list. There are countless of other things feminism fights for. I know that feminist rants have become a nuisance on the Internet for many people, but we don’t speak just to hear ourselves speak. After centuries of fighting, women have come to a point of no return. Ranting is irresistible, but it is our easiest gateway to being heard.
