I am a feminist. For me, feminism is the belief that everyone, whether they be a woman, transgender, gender nonconforming, fluid gender, or anyone else on the gender spectrum should have the same rights and opportunities as anyone else. Saying this, I know that I need to be prepared for criticism because of my beliefs, but please bear with me.
I also recognize that I am coming at this issue as a white, heterosexual, upper-middle-class woman and that these things have an impact on how I view feminism. Usually, after I tell people that I am a feminist, they immediately try to convince me that feminism is wrong and I should not align myself with the movement. So, I decided to take the four most common arguments I hear and break down my reasons for disagreeing.
1. "Women already have equal rights."
First of all, the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) that would protect women from discrimination on the basis of sex at work has in fact not been passed. Which means that it is not considered unconstitutional to discriminate simply because someone is a woman. Secondly, having rights does not mean that women are treated equally. You could use this same argument to say that all people have the right to be treated equally regardless of race, but historically, this has been shown time and time again to not be true.
People face racial discrimination every day, just as women face gender discrimination every single day. Another example can be seen on the 2014 United States Census. On this census "stay at home mom" was not listed as a job, however "stay at home dad' was considered an occupation. How does that even make sense? Saying that it is not considered a job for women because it is "natural for women to stay home and take care of the kids" would mean that a man working any job in the general workforce would not be considered an occupation because it is "natural for the man to go out and make the money for the family." The logic is just all wrong here.
2. "Men can't be feminists."
In all the reading I have done on feminism I have yet to read anywhere that says that men are not capable of being a feminist. Feminism is a worldview that anyone can (and should) adopt. Sure, men have not had the same life experiences as me, but no one has had the same life experience as anyone else.
It is a man's job as a feminist to recognize that he does carry privilege within society and to listen to women or anyone else who is oppressed by the patriarchal society that we live in. In order for the feminist wave to make a difference it is key that EVERYONE become aware and work towards creating equality within the workplace and at the home.
3. "Feminism oppresses men."
This seems to be one of the main things that people do not understand about feminism. Feminism is in no way trying to diminish or take away any rights that a man has. Instead, feminism is trying to bring the rights of women up to the same level as men. Oppression flows unilaterally. Oppression is a socially and culturally supported misuse of power that works to keep one group of power at the top and all other groups below them. Feminists are not "man-haters."
However, I find it unacceptable that the fact that I am a woman can prevent me from earning the same amount as a man by doing the same job or that how I dress could be a "distraction" or that I have to worry about being safe at night walking alone when I am on my college campus. Feminism is working towards trying to make all members of society equal, regardless of the sex or gender.
4. "I am a woman and I don't need feminism."
Feminism is everyone's problem. Feminism is not about one person or individual, it is about everyone who is oppressed or discriminated against due to their sex or gender. Until everyone is able to have "equal, inalienable rights" then feminism has not completed its task. Is there really anyone on the planet who would be better off without feminism? Feminism is working towards deconstructing a society that promotes and condones oppression and if successful, would make everyone's lives better in the long run.
