Being a young Millennial woman, people tend to question why I do not call myself a feminist.
Don’t get me wrong, I believe that every woman can achieve anything and everything they want. And I believe that we should always have the same opportunities as men. But I do not align with the beliefs of the modern day feminism movement. And the problem is that people automatically assume that I am against equal rights, let men run my life and that I do not empower women.
All of these, which are false, do not describe my beliefs in any way and further prove the point that today’s feminists are not based on equality or empowerment.
It is based on hypocrisy.
I sometimes find it hard to explain exactly why I am not a modern day feminist. But I saw a video that perfectly put into words my feelings on feminism. And yes, it is from The Blaze... And yes, I am conservative so this is what I watch… But if you put ideologies aside and actually listen to the video... Tell me it's wrong.
If you actually ask the average American if they believe men and women should have equal rights, they are going to say yes.
It’s obviously a normal thing now, thanks to the original foremothers of feminism. And I completely understand that I would not be where I am today, writing this article about my beliefs, if it wasn’t for those strong, empowering women of the mid-1800s. And I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to vote last year if it wasn’t for the strong, empowering women of the 1920s. And I also understand I wouldn’t have control over my body if it weren’t for the strong, empowering women of the 1970s.
Those women fought for the important things. The right to own property, the right to vote, the right to control their own lives. Looking back at history, they did not have this control in any sense. So naturally, it was acceptable for them to fight.
But now, when I sit back and look at what the women are "fighting' for in today’s wave of feminism. I honestly cannot stand with them and agree. They are not empowering, or strong. They’re hypocrites, crying over every little thing they can find to complain about.
Yes, I will admit that feminism today continues to fight for important things, like the wage gap and reproductive rights. Trust me, I get it.
But when they start throwing out the emasculation of men, gender-fluidity, and uninhibited abortion, I start to question the notion of feminism as it's viewed today.
Can someone explain to me how skipping work to prove "economic worth" is going to help you get the same opportunities as men in the workplace? If you aren’t there to work, how do you expect to move forward?
Like the video says, today’s feminism is completely liberal. And they don’t seem to accept anything other than that. In order to be considered a feminist you have to be pro-choice, against Trump, embrace the LGBT+ agenda, and every other liberal ideology out there.
A "feminist" must fit this liberal mold, but doesn’t that contradict what they’re supposedly fighting against? I thought feminists were against the idea that women have to act, think and believe a certain way.
Even if I did want to fit into the feminist agenda of today, I couldn’t. It would require me to abandon my beliefs and values. And I do not find that empowering or supportive at all.
What is wrong with me supporting the rights of women, but also wanting to protect the rights of unborn children? Why can’t I vote a certain way without other women bashing me for my decision? Just because I don’t agree with certain ideas does not mean I do not support or want to empower women.
I will not call myself a feminist until the notion and definition changes. I will not support a hypocritical movement that will not accept me because of my conservative beliefs. I refuse to agree with something that claims to accept everything and everyone. Except for my ideals and values.