When you first tell people that you are a feminist, often times you'll get a variety of looks — both positive and negative. Ironically, the words feminist and feminism are some of the most controversial in the country, partially because most people have no clue what feminism really is about.
1. ALL Feminists Hate Men.
While some radical feminists possess a strong feeling of resentment toward the opposite sex, most feminists would argue they are missing the entire point of the movement. Feminism actually isn't about hating men at all, but instead recognizing the unequal power structures that exist in our society. If you hear a feminist say they hate the patriarchy, they still aren't referring to men — but instead talking about the existing social institution of gender inequality.
2. All Feminists Want To Create A Matriarchy.
Just like any group with a set of beliefs, there are some radical followers but as a whole, feminism sees no reason to tear men down to bring women up. Instead, they propose the solution to not switch the power imbalance, but rather erase it all together. By believing in feminism it doesn't take rights away from men, but fights to bring women up to the same pedestal as them.
3. Only Women Can Be Feminists.
When you think of a feminist, you picture a woman. This isn't always the case. The male population of feminists is growing and continues to do so, becoming popular with men across the country and even celebrities like John Legend and Daniel Radcliffe. Just like you don't need to be an animal to believe in animal rights, you don't need to be a woman to believe in feminism. Feminism actually stands to help men by breaking down the way we think about masculinity and gender due to the patriarchy. While society says men need to be macho and emotionless, feminism would argue that you should be allowed to cry and feel emotion no matter your gender, just as any other capable human being would.
4. Feminism ONLY Helps Women.
In addition to breaking down gender stereotypes of masculinity, feminism has made progress for men in several different ways. For example, through the use of feminism it successfully overturned laws that discriminate against men such as changing the FBI's old-fashioned definition of rape thanks to the "Rape Is Rape" campaign, created by the Feminist Majority Foundation. Additionally, a feminist activist named Lovisa Stannow famously advocated for sexually abused inmates in 2003, most of whom were men. Thanks to her efforts, the federal government now must carry out statistical reviews of the incidence and effects of prison rape each year.
5. Women And Men Are Already Equal, So Feminism Isn't Even Necessary.
In 2016, women still earn only 77 cents for every dollar that a man makes--despite equal position, education, and experience. For minorities and people of color, this statistic is even worse — African-American women only earn 64 percent of what white women earn. In addition to this wage gap in the U.S., nations all over the world still allow child brides, female sex slaves and genital mutilation. In the United States, three states were recently attempting to criminalize abortions of any kind, including instances involving rape and incest.
If you're reading this and don't think these are all valid reasons and causes for why the feminist movement is necessary, then I don't know what is.
