Disclaimer: While I am aware that the contents of this article may cause you to be taken aback or offended please be aware that in no way is that the intention of this article. Please also keep in mind that this article shows and is only meant to show one perspective. This article is in no way speaking for the entire feminist movement. I am aware that there are a million other reasons I could have listed here, I am in no way diminishing those views. I am also in no way saying that every feminist or even every
According to Merriam-Webster feminism is "the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities" or "organized activity in support of women's rights and interests". Notice how neither definition does anything to diminish men? So, why do men feel so threatened by the feminist movement? Why are women often made to feel ashamed of being a feminist? And, most importantly, why do we still need feminism in 2016?
One of the biggest modern critiques of the feminist movement is that women do have equal rights to men. While there are piles and piles of research to dispute this claim, such as the seventy-five cents to every dollar statistic, I just want to take a minute to give you a personal account of why I, as an eighteen-year-old woman need feminism.
I need feminism because when I walk down the street alone and see a group of boys coming towards me I feel uneasy. I need feminism because I've grown up being taught that rape can happen to anyone, at any time. Instead of being taught that rape is not okay, I've seen women who come forward and talk about their experiences be shamed, called liars or told that they were somehow to blame for it. I need feminism because I have been taught all my life that if I show too much, or act too friendly I am opening myself up to the possibility of rape or assault. I need feminism because I am also told that I need to dress for men. That I should not cover too much of myself because men don't like it. Or because boys will not be interested in if I do. I am told that I need to do my hair and makeup, to look presentable because otherwise, I'll be single, and alone. I need feminism because boys are taught that it is okay to catcall me while I walk down the street or to comment on my body. I need feminism because if I were to walk up to a man and comment on their physical appearance I would be called a bitch, or maybe even worse but men are somehow allowed to comment on me and my appearance every day. I need feminism because women are taught that birth control and safe sex are entirely their own responsibility. Men are not expected to worry about these things, it is not a man's job to make sure a woman is comfortable and protected. I need feminism because the government believes that it is their right to dictate whether or not I carry a pregnancy to term. I am constantly affronted with words like murderer and whore when I speak out against the pro-life movement. I need feminism because when a woman is promoted to a high level of authority it is a surprise and often seen as a problem. But most importantly, I need feminism because I was not fortunate enough to be born with the privilege of a penis.
