The Merriam-Webster Dictionary provides a twofold definition of "feminism":

1. the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes

2. organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests

Seems like a principle that pretty much all women can stand behind, right?

Well, these photos prove otherwise:

"I don't need feminism in my life, only equality. I do not want to be part of a social movement that labels me as a 'misogynist' and a 'bitch' because I disagree with their views."

"I don't need feminism because it reinforces the men as agents/women as victims dichotomy. This is what an anti-feminist looks like."

"I don't need feminism because: I am an adult who is capable of taking responsibility for myself and my actions. I define myself and derive my value by my own standards. I don't need to be 'empowered'. I am not a target for violence and there is no war against me. I respect men. I refuse to demonize them and blame them for my problems."

"I don't need feminism because I am not a delusional, disgusting, hypocritical man-hater! I respect men and they respect me!"

"I don't need feminism because I don't choose to ignore the fact men have issues too!"

Alright, so maybe not all women support the feminist movement. But I certainly self-identify as a feminist, and let me just say: these women have a point.

Okay, bear with me for a minute here, because I think it's important to acknowledge the feelings of those who oppose your viewpoints.

These women all posted their photos in a Facebook group called "Women Against Feminism," where other women similarly state the reasons for their opposition to the movement.

I noticed that all of these women still support the idea that men and women are equal, which fits the definition of a feminist. So why don't these women identify as feminists?

Their problem is with the methods and rhetoric that the modern feminist movement utilizes.

While I must admit that many of these anti-feminists are using extreme feminists and those who wish to oppress men as a representation of the feminist movement, there are some comments that they make about the general movement that I can't just write off.

I see the issues mentioned in the first image occurring all of the time. There is just too much hate between feminist and non-feminist women, and it only weakens the cause of both sides. Both sides aim to prove the strength of women, but they do it in different ways. Feminists want to show that women are strong and therefore deserving of societal change and recognition, while anti-feminists want to show that women are already strong and don't need empowerment from any kind of special privileges. So now, women are turning against each other.

Gloria Steinem, a prominent feminist, has said, "Women have two choices: either she's a feminist or a masochist."

Call me crazy, but I think that's a pretty unfair accusation. It's not like these anti-feminists are denying the strength of women. They are empowering them in their own way. They don't hate women, they are women. Even those that choose to live the traditional lifestyle of a stay-at-home mother are not arguing that women are weaker. So it's unfair to call them masochists. And on the other side, it's unfair for anti-feminists to call feminists "man-haters." We should be supporting each other as women in whatever we decide to do with our lives, whether it be traditional or unconventional. We are stronger together than when we are divided.

I also wanted to address the issue raised by the second image, that feminism "reinforces the men as agents/women as victims dichotomy." After much consideration, I have come to admit that this is true to some degree. Modern feminism suggests that rape, violence, and prejudice against women are results of society teaching us that men are superior and therefore have the right to a woman's body. This may be true, but feminists put so much emphasis on the victimization of women that other issues are left out entirely, just as some of those photos convey.

Societal gender roles affect us all, not just women. And that is not to say that women's issues don't exist, or that they should be belittled, because they are prevalent and deserve to be acknowledged. But it is unfair to ignore how men are affected by these same gender roles. To ignore the needs of a person just because of their gender would make a feminist no better than the people who oppressed her in the first place. And that's why it's important to address the entire issue.

Nowadays, the lines between different genders is becoming increasingly blurred. There are plenty of women that are more masculine than men, and plenty of men who are more feminine than women. And that's okay, because it's all part of our identity. But when society teaches us that it is the man's role to be dominant and the woman's role to be submissive, people of all genders are forced into hiding their true selves, thus being oppressed. And that's exactly what's happening, even though our society is made up of feminists and non-feminists alike. So what are we doing wrong? Why is oppression still happening if none of us want it and we are the ones causing it?

I propose that we redefine the feminist movement and give it a new direction. I think that the first part of Merriam-Webster's definition is pretty solid, because, yes, we as people are fighting for gender equality, and if we're not fighting for it, we believe that it already exists. But that second part of the definition could use some changing. I believe that it would be in everyone's best interests to remove societal gender roles, not just women. So instead of saying "organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests", we could say "organized activity on behalf of gender issues."

Feel free to disagree with me, but I think this would be a much more productive movement. And for those of you who are thinking, "But then it wouldn't be feminism anymore if we are fighting for men too!," I disagree. As of right now, the dominant character that society has assigned is the masculine man. This new feminist movement would celebrate the rest of the gender spectrum, including all types of women and feminine men who have experienced oppression as a result of gender roles. For this reason, the word "feminism" still applies. So there.

It's time for us so stop attacking each other and start listening.