When you hear the word feminism, what do you think of? If you were to ask me this question when I first entered college, I would tell you that a feminist was a woman who hated men and who believed that women were superior to men. I may have even said that feminists were lesbians who saw no need for men in the world at all. I could not have been more wrong. The fact that I became more educated on what feminism was, thanks to college classes, doesn’t mean that others have come as far.
Feminism is defined as the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men. Gender equality sure doesn’t sound like women being greater or superior to men to me. There is a word for this brand of women, but it is misandry, not feminism. Women who want to be treated equally are called names such as “femi-nazi” and are poked fun at by men and women alike thinking that they sit around burning bras in their free time. There is so much that is still misunderstood and by simply cracking open a book, you can set the record straight for what the term actually means.
The goal of the feminist movement, especially today, is to achieve equal rights. Women have been allowed to own property in America since 1848 and the 19th amendment that allowed women the right to vote was ratified in 1920. We have come a long way, but there are still occurrences in everyday life that make it seem like this is still a man’s world. Before heading off to a job interview, I have heard my dad tell me to “look cute” so that the interviewer will want to hire me. I have never heard either of my parents tell my brother to “look cute” in order to be hired. When I have told male friends that I am going to college to pursue a degree and ultimately a Master’s in School Counseling, I have had to hear, “Why? You are too pretty to work. You could just get a husband and be a stay at home mom.” The thing is, I don’t want that for myself. I set goals when I was younger and I have been working hard in college to achieve them. There is no doubt that I could just get myself married and start a family like many women have. I have had jobs where I worked primarily with men and I knew that I was treated differently because I was “young and pretty.” I don’t want to get by in life based on my looks or the fact that I am female. Women like me want feminism so that they don’t have to hear a comment about how they should just sit and be pretty, so or be objectified in the media anymore, or so they aren't put under a microscope if they decide to run for president.
Male and female celebrities have come out supporting the feminist movement and it is time America looks to them and takes in their message. Women, we should strive to be treated equally and get paid just as much as men do. Men, put your mothers and sisters in this position. Do you feel that they should be treated with anything less than total respect and equality? I didn’t think so. Society needs a wake-up call and becoming informed on issues such as feminism is the only way to bring about the change that we desire.
