As a young woman who believes in gender equality, I’m skeptical about being called a feminist. You might be wondering: don’t feminists fight for gender equality? Yes, they do, but a lot of people have a different understanding of feminism.
In a 2015 poll, 1651 people with approximately the same number of males and females from 18 years old and above were asked if they believe men and women should enjoy equal rights and status in society, and be treated equally in every way. 81 percent concur. However, in the same group of people, only 31 percent of people considered themselves to be a feminist.
While feminism aims to achieve equal rights and treatment for all, the term “gender equality” is more appealing than “feminism”. For such a simple concept, feminism is often misunderstood, which is why people don’t like being called feminists. This article will break down the misconceptions and explain the real meaning of feminism.
Misconception #1: Feminists believe that women are better than men
Feminists do not fight for gender equality because they believe that women are better than men. Women, and people of all gender identifications, are human beings who should enjoy equal rights and opportunities.
Misconception #2: Feminism is misandry
Before the feminist movement started, women enjoyed fewer rights and were often considered subordinate to men. While men enjoyed freedom and legal rights, women were obliged to stay home, manage family affairs, and bear children; this is still true in many places today. Some critics say that the current wave of feminism is asserting that women are the superior gender – hating, fighting, and taking away the rights of men. Some men also believe that the feminist movement is making them feel guilty for the discrimination other men in the past have committed against women.
However, this understanding is far from the real meaning of feminism. Feminism is not about seeing men as the enemy. Instead, it is about challenging the inequalities between different genders in society, regardless of someone’s gender identification.
Misconception #3: A real feminist cannot be feminine and is opposed to motherhood and marriage
This is also a common misunderstanding. To be a real feminist, say some critics, you cannot conform to the traditional roles of females. You cannot wear dresses. You cannot wear high-heels. You cannot wear makeup. You cannot chit-chat with other girls. You cannot be emotional. You cannot marry prince-charming. You cannot bear children. You cannot be a full-time housewife. You must confront traditional feminine traits.
These misconceptions are completely sexist. In fact, many feminists are mothers, including the American feminist icon – Ruth Bader Ginsburg – who was a mother of two. Many feminists wear dresses. Many feminists wear high-heels. Many feminists wear make-up. But this doesn’t make them less feminist. The love of feminine traits is a choice. Feminism is about providing people with the same opportunities, choices, and rights, and ending gender discrimination.
Misconception #4: The fact that there are women with higher social and economic status than men means that inequality has been eliminated
Let’s look at some data first. Globally, 19 percent of firms have female managers. Women make up less than 50 percent of the top income groups across nine of the highest-income countries. 58 percent of workers in low-wage occupations are women. These data show that women are greatly under-represented in high-profile jobs and top income groups, while they are overrepresented in low-paying jobs. The gender pay gap remains.
Misconception #5: Only women can identify as feminists
Here’s the fact: Regardless of sex, anyone who believes in gender equality is a feminist. Men, women, and other non-binary individuals can work as allies to establish equal opportunities and rights.
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People don’t identify as feminist or they refuse to publicly claim so because they fear to be associated with these traits. Take me as an example; I don’t want to be seen as a person who hates men. When I’m wearing a dress or wearing makeup, I certainly do not want to be called a “fake feminist”.
As a society, we should challenge these misconceptions by re-evaluating our own understanding of feminism and gender equality. Feminism is about equality for all. Feminists don’t want society to dictate what anyone can or cannot do simply because of their gender. If a little girl refuses to wear a dress, feminism supports that. If a boy wants to express his emotions, feminism supports that. If someone does not identify as exclusively male or female, feminism supports that, too. Only when we deprogram the misconceptions about feminism, more people will stand up and speak up for equality.
I strongly agree with this article. Especially the part about how regardless of gender anybody who believes in gender equality is a feminist. I think that Kate writing about this topic is great since more people should know why some people don’t like being called a feminist.