I Don't Have To Be A Female And A Feminist
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I Don't Have To Be A Female And A Feminist

And that is okay.

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I Don't Have To Be A Female And A Feminist
Smith & Hattery

Here we go. Feminism, a topic that I generally try to abstain from but I figured it was time to speak out. The reaction I get from women who find out that I do not agree with the feminist movement is mostly anger and disappointment. Reasonably so I understand why, they are supposed to be fighting for equal rights for women, aren't they?

My problem is the fact that honestly the feminist movement wants to do good, but their image and certain beliefs are overpowering what it used to be. Things that I personally cannot knowingly sign up for and defend. According to Webster's Dictionary Feminism is, by definition, "the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes." A definition that was once accurate, but now I see the type of feminism presented as a group of women trying to put men down like women have been since the beginning of time. Which doesn't the bible say turn the other cheek? An age old idea that putting other people down doesn't alway raise you to the point of power that you want.

Women over the years have been given amazing rights in the United States, that I am proud to say I have. In 1893 Colorado was the first state to pass an amendment to allow women the right to vote. Finally on August 26, 1920 the 19th amendment of the Constitution was passed granting women the right to vote. On June 10, 1963 Congress passed the Equal Pay Act to make it illegal for a job to pay a female less for the same job a man would do. Yes the feminist movement has been useful in the past and we have gone very far, but I don't think the things they stand for anymore are what needs to happen. Equality of the sexes in my mind reaches a certain point and then we get into a gray area. As a woman I believe there are just things that we cannot do and there are things men cannot do that we do.

As a student with a psychology minor I have studied the lifespan development with breaking down each period of life into different classes. I see the effect that dual-earner families has on children. Yes, I understand the reality of life expenses and some people have to work to support their child. But, children also need consistency and a connection with a parent to then be able to trust the world for future relationships. A nurturing skill that men just don't always possess. It is so often that the feminist movement is not fighting for equality anymore, but instead they are fighting for this idea of men and women being identical. Which by nature is impossible, men and women or different there is no way around that.

The feminist movement plays women as victims and only that. I do not want to have a victim complex and have to believe that I am at a disadvantage where ever I go. This is not the mindset I want to have about myself nor encourage young girls to have, I want to be a strong independent women and people are telling me that I am not. I hate to say it but those people are often the feminists. I think it is just as important focus on the fact that young boys are being forced to be child soldiers as girls being forced into arranged marriages in the middle-east and how wrong both of those are. Injustices in this world are much deeper and much bigger than just between men and women, especially in America.

The wave of feminism currently presented is telling me things that I choose not to believe. It is okay that I love to cook, it is okay that I want to take care of people, and it is okay that I want to take my husband's last name, whoever he may be. It isn't wrong that I want to do all of these things, I am a nurturer; it is in my nature to do these things. I don't believe that looking down upon women who do these things aren't reaching their full potential. Some of us are happy with the way our lives are spanning out or have spanned out. I don't want to force you to live that life if it isn't what you want, so don't make fun of me for living the life you detest. I do agree that women are not lower than men, God loves us all equally. I know that all feminists do not look down on women who do live this life, I thank them for that.

On the topic of God this moves into the subject of abortion. I am pro-life. A simple statement of a female fighting for the rights of unborn children, their rights almost seem less important than everyone else. If you want to fight for equality and women's rights, then where are the rights of the unborn daughters and sons? Since when do we get to decide which person gets to have rights? Aren't you fighting for equality or fighting for equality when it only works in your favor?

I believe that women deserve equality, as does any person no matter their gender or nationality. I just do not believe that the feminist movement is fighting for that definition equality anymore. Maybe once upon a time they did, but this new wave, in my mind, does not meet the standards that I want to follow. I am a Female and not a feminist and that is okay. We each are allowed to have our own opinions, this just happens to be mine.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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