When the word feminism is brought up, it can often make people feel uncomfortable. Why is it such a dirty word, though? Why in 2016 is it taboo to be a feminist? It's because there is this misconception about feminists and what they actually stand for. Most times they're thought to be annoying girls who don't shave their armpits, protest everything and are lowkey trying to end the male race. In actuality, feminists are fighting for once simple thing in many different ways. Feminists are fighting for equality for everyone through different social issues.
1. Wage gap
I'm sure you've heard that women make 78 cents to every man's dollar. Though this is not completely inaccurate, it is only true for white women. People of colors' wages are significantly lower. All of this is simply ridiculous and should not exist
2. Gender roles
Gender roles are the expectations put on someone because of their gender identity or presumed gender identity. Examples of this are, "Women should have kids and stay home and raise them" or "men can't cry." These ancient rules are used to oppress people of all genders, they do nothing but hurt everyone and should be thrown out the window.
3. Reproductive rights
For years, women's reproductive rights have been decided by a bunch of men. They feel as though they have the right to make the decisions for millions of women's bodies, as if they cannot make the choice themselves.
4. An end to sexual assault
One in five women and one in 16 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. None of that is okay.
5. End of catcalling and harassment to women
Women are often whistled, yelled, and screamed at by men on the street passing by. It can be as simple as "give me a smile, baby" and can turn dangerous very quickly. It can escalate from a simple rejection to a woman being followed home and threatened. This should not be happening yet, it's something all women know to be something that just happens to them.
6. End of discrimination in work force
Women should not be harassed in their jobs, no one should feel uncomfortable in their work place. Women should also be hired based on how qualified they are for the job, and not be asked illegal questions in an interview. Sometimes people will not hire women age 25 to 35 because they might have a kid soon and leave. Men also have kids, though....
7. More representation in government
This one is simple. Women's issues should not be up to a bunch of rich white men in a room together.
8. Diversity
Feminists want diversity everywhere from the office, congress, and the board rooms. Diversity does not only mean equality it means that all voices are being heard. People of all genders, races, social class, and sexual orientation should have an equal chance in this world and it should be based off their qualifications not the fact that they are a "diverse" person.
9. End of body shaming
No one should ever be shamed for their body, ever. It is not fair, and no one has the right to make them feel that way. It is important that as a society we stop shaming women based on their appearances and start rewarding them for their merits.
10. End of violence against women
The numbers of rapes and assaults on women are astonishing. One in five women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime, 68% of these women will never report it and 2% of rapists will ever see a day in a jail cell. Not only are women dying, being raped, or being beaten every day, there is very little justice for the women who report it.
11. End to slut shaming
Why is it than when two consenting heterosexual adults decide to have sex after a short period of time, the women is looked down upon as a "slut" or that's she's "easy" or "dirty". It takes two to tango, if you think a girl is dirty after you have touched maybe you should look at yourself rather than shaming her for doing exactly what you just did.
There is so much more to feminism than just one of these social issues. Look around, there's probably more feminists around you than you think. Many celebrities have come out as feminists, even men and gender non-binary people have come out. Feminism isn't misandry or just fighting for women's rights, it's fighting for equality of all.
