Obama recently published “This is What a Feminist Looks Like” in Glamour Magazine. His article summarizes the importance of being a role model for his two daughters. The President has seen the mega successful First Lady face backlash of her own, but he explained that he was not able to fully understand gender discrimination until he had his daughters. Obama says, “And yes, it’s important that their dad is a feminist, because now that’s what they expect of all men.”

It's not just Obama pointing out the need for men in the feminism movement. We can't forget the President's favorite side kick, Joe. Biden has been traveling to dozens of universities around the country for his "It's On Us" campaign, which empowers the general public to stand up against sexual assault.

So is the feminism movement experiencing a profound change?

“Feminism” has had a negative connotation since the word originated in the 1890s (ironically, a man created the term). America has seen three waves of feminism. The First Wave occurred in the late nineteenth - early twentieth century as women sought the right to vote. The right to own property is also included in this wave. The 1960s-80s experienced the Second Wave, which focused more on culture than law. Advocates wanted equal rights in education and the workplace. The Third Wave (1990s-present) is thought of an extension to the Second wave, and calls for abortion rights, reform for parental leave and child care and most notably, equal pay for equal work.

Because of the stigmas surrounding feminism, it’s difficult for women to label themselves as feminists. I will never forget freshman year of college, when I was talking with two guy friends in the dorm hallway. I don’t remember how the topic came up, but I was asked if I considered myself a feminist. I hesitated and said “yeah, I mean I guess”.

I have never seen someone’s eyes get so big so fast. It was truly like two deer caught in headlights. It was like the words coming out of my mouth were an instant repellent. Like they thought I was about to attack them with pepper spray. I felt embarrassed, as if I just said something horribly offensive. Fast forward two years and you can tell how much college changes you. I am proud to call myself a feminist and I could not give less of a damn what people think of me for that. I’m also a little disappointed in my younger self for having those shameful feelings.

I may have learned how to push through the stigma, but others have not. This could not be more true than with men. Somehow along the way, “feminism” became associated with hippie chicks, man-haters, and prude bitches. As an FYI to anyone unaware, those definitions have nothing to do with feminism, rather they describe hipsters, misandrists and Regina George.

Feminism simply means “equal rights for men and women”. I hate to break it to you, but if you believe that men and women should have equal rights, you are indeed a feminist. It’s that simple. No if, ands, or buts. If you disagree, you simply don’t understand the true definition of feminism. If you still do not consider yourself a feminist, then please think through your past and pinpoint exactly when you became a terrible person.

Now I don’t know if there’s a misunderstanding among men, a fear of fading male domination or some “bro code” that makes it socially unacceptable to empathize with women. That is why the fact that such a renown public figure has labeled himself as a feminist is a huge step in the right direction. (It is sad that we have to call this a huge step, but it is still a step).

I asked some of my guy friends if they would call themselves feminists, and why other males may be hesitant to do the same.

One said, “If feminism is defined as thinking women are equal to men and should be treated that way, then yes, I'm a feminist. I didn't support the whole thing at first, mainly because I was like, ‘well why not men? Why not everyone equal?’ But these groups do need to fight for their equality, and I agree with them. There are numbers to back it up. I honestly can't believe in this day in age that it is still a huge problem.

“I think that men or even some women freaked out about feminism, because the initial stories and coverage when it started seemed like a group of crazy women attacking men. I can't say whether people felt threatened, but more so a denial of what the status quo actually was.

"I think my initial thought of feminists were women (didn't think men at all) who wanted to be very independent and didn't need the help of a man to move up in the world or get where they want to be. Now I'm not saying that's wrong or they need a man specifically, but there needs to be collaboration between both genders to level the playing field. That's the only way anything will get done. To me, the term has changed over time.”

Another friend said, “I don’t go around labeling myself as ‘John Doe, feminist,’ but considering I agree with gender equality and am pro-choice, I don’t see why I wouldn’t be considered a feminist.”

He says a lot of guys view feminists as “bra-burning, crazy hair-dyeing freaks” that guys find annoying. Men are unable to sympathize with women, so they don’t think they need to concern themselves with women's rights: “They don’t realize the the challenges women face compared to men, so why should they care?” He also notes that admitting to feminism may call one’s masculinity into question. And it's true: my friends admitted to me that they support feminism, but would they admit it to male peers?

(I can assure that not all interviews would have such an optimistic vibe. It must be noted that these positive responses reflect the fact that I wouldn't be friends with anyone who didn't agree with the principles of gender equality.)

So yes, Obama declaring himself as a feminist is a big deal. Maybe a Fourth Wave will soon begin, characterized by male involvement. Either way, my friend is right. In a male-dominated society, women will get their day only if men can accept progressive changes and help us in our fight. We can only get so far with male-resistance in a male-dominated society. That includes getting male congressmen to create stricter anti-discrimination laws, especially in the workplace.

Or will the Fourth Wave stem from Hillary’s Clinton’s historic presidential nomination? Her DNC speech strongly stated, "When there's no [glass] ceiling, the sky is the limit." Her campaign slogans, “Yes She Can” and “I’m with Her” are simple and yet extremely powerful. They imply that Americans support this drastic change, and that alone speaks volumes. “Yes He Can” or “I’m with him” doesn’t even come close to matching the impact. Who is "he?" What guy are they talking about?

Quite on the contrary, it doesn't matter that "Yes She Can" doesn't automatically connect with Hillary Clinton or any other particular woman for that matter. I think that's the point. Women don't need or even want individual recognition for this type of fight. It is a team fight. And all of us are members, whether or not we realized that we signed up.

The United States is changing immensely right before our eyes. As Obama mentions in the article, the words "it's a girl!" once marked the beginning of gender stereotypes in a woman's life. He wants his girls to understand their potential and to not abide by any label. I hope to god that my daughters don't ever have to know of a world where they have to meet socially determined expectations because of the "F' next to their names. I realize this is an unrealistic goal, so until then I will to teach them to fight like hell. Because if you fight hard enough with the right people, eventually the glass will break.