I've always found it hard to put a label on my views about women's rights. I do believe that men and women should be treated equally in all aspects of life (something that has not yet happened, in my opinion). I don't know if I believe in a wage gap, but I do know that women are disproportionately discriminated against in many workplaces. Does that make me a feminist? A lot of people would immediately say yes and I would agree. However, I've always preferred not to use that title.

There are lots of little things, but the main reason I personally do not identify as a feminist is the negative connotations the label has acquired over the years. And although feminists always say that the people who have extreme and radical ideas about feminism are not the ones who represent the majority of its supporters, that is still what many non-feminists associate with the movement. I just do not want to be a part of that. I would rather call myself a person who believes in equal rights for men and women and allow myself and the people I come into contact with to engage in conversations that may challenge or support my views.

I find the label confining, to put it lightly. I especially hate when I see 'if you don't _____, you're not a feminist' type of posts. Why should you, one person, be the person holding multiple people to a certain standard? It just doesn't make sense to me.

I also feel that when many people come into contact with feminists, they are put off by the movement so much so that they do even want to engage with that person and hear their views. Is this fair? No, but it's very real.

I do not ever want the reason someone gives for not hearing me out to be the fact that I identify as a feminist.

I'm always looking to develop my viewpoints and opinions on different subjects and the only way to do that is by talking to people who don't always believe the same things that I do.