The feminist movement is extremely prevalent in society today, as it rightfully should be. In order to be a feminist, you must believe that men and women are equal, and deserve equal treatment. I sincerely hope that everyone believes that this should be true.

However, I firmly believe that the label "feminist" has lost its true meaning, and has become to be a stereotype that I find to be extremely ironic. There have been many occurrences both in high school and in college that have made me realize that some feminists do not actually respect other women. Let me share some examples with you.

When I graduate college, I want to become a teacher. Along with this, I hope to start a family and have children of my own. And, if I am financially lucky enough, I will choose to stop working in order to be a full-time mom. *Cue eye rolls from so many 'feminists' out there.* Yes, I have received large amounts of criticism and backlash for wanting to be a full-time mother when I would speak of this plan in high school. And where was this backlash coming from? The so-called "feminists."

Aren't we supposed to respect each other's choices, even if it doesn't align with your own? Isn't that what being equal is all about. I have so much respect for women who maintain their careers with or without children, so why is it so hard to receive respect for choosing my own career path as well? If you're truly a feminist, you would see that both women, a stay at home mother and a full-time working mother, are equal. Both are women. Isn't that what it should boil down to?

Whenever I have discussions on my pro-life views, I receive comments such as "and you call yourself a feminist" and "how dare you go against your own kind (women) like that." Do these sounds like respectful and un-judgmental comments?

Ya, I didn't think so either.

My views and my beliefs are just as valid as anyone else's, and the fact that I am considered to be anti-feminist just because I do not agree with you is purely disgusting. Again, let's go back to what being a feminist is all about. It's about believing in equality. So why am I less than you just because you have a different set of beliefs than me?

Whether or not you choose to believe that these events have happened to me, they are true. And they are just insights into how the idea of feminism has been misconstrued over the years. True feminists, such as myself, are out there. I believe men and women are equal and should be treated as such.

So why would a "feminist" think that one woman is less than another? If you want to call yourself a feminist, make sure you actually care about the other women in the world and aren't stuck to your own beliefs.