Why Should We All Be Feminists?

I have had this conversation many times, and it still bothers me that some people still confuse certain concepts and terms. I am a feminist, and a very passionate one at that. The problem is that today, the moment you express that you’re a feminist, you are immediately labelled as a ‘man hater’. Something that tends to be very irritating to me are people who 1) generalise and 2) take things to the extreme. I understand that a lot of women have affected the way that we see the word ‘feminist’. Many women have taken its purpose too far by being suppressing and disregarding to men. So, just to be clear, allow me to cite the official definition of the word by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: “Feminism - the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” Just to be 100% certain, let’s throw the definition from the Oxford Dictionary in the mix: “Feminism - The advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.” So, nowhere do you find the idea that this movement advocates anything against men; it is an advocate for women’s rights through equal opportunities and rights between the two genders. Nowhere does it say that one of the genders is superior to the other, or that to achieve equality for women men need to ‘pay’ or be disregarded.

I have had the ‘wonderful pleasure’ of meeting men who have expressed a blatant disliking to feminists. Their view was that feminists are “too extreme” in their views and that “there is no need to be a feminist because things are not so bad” or “they’re not going to change”. One can only imagine what I was thinking in those moments and how infuriated I became with the pure lack of information that these men had for the hardships of being a woman in this society. Not only are you judged by men, you are judged by your own gender as well. Instead of raising each other up, we tend to often put each other down by certain regards or comments we have. How a woman is dressed, how she walks, how she talks, what she eats; everything she does she’s doing wrong, and not only that, but she is at fault for those men who are objectifying and womanising towards her.

I always try to be encouraging to as many women as I can, because I feel that we’re failing each other if we are not encouraging and empowering with the things we say and do. Until now I’ve only used the word ‘women’ in this post and I feel the need to clarify that by that I mean all females; no matter the age, background, culture, or ethnicity, all women need the same amount of encouragement and support from each other. These next few sentences go to all my ladies: (young and younger ;p) It is so easy to give a sincere compliment to a lady and not feel jealous of her or what she has. We have made progress of course, but we need to be even more fierce and active supporters of women. We need to build each other up with every chance we have because it costs us nothing to be encouraging and supportive to women who work hard and try to make something of themselves.

Now, a quote from an English comedian who I think has made a perfect point: “Feminism isn't about hating men. It's about challenging the absurd gender distinctions that boys and girls learn from childhood and carry into their adult lives.” How are parents raising their daughters? Are they encouraging them to be strong, independent and hard working, or are they encouraging them to not speak and keep their heads down? How are parents raising their sons on the other hand? Are they teaching them to be respectful to anyone, no matter their gender or are they teaching them that their ‘male superiority’ gives them more rights and access to things that women cannot have/do? Without trying to blame anyone or make them feel at guilt, the home is the sole unit of ‘social education’ that can build a better society. I strongly believe that the way people behave as adults has been influenced strongly throughout their childhood years of seeing how their mothers were treated by their fathers.

All we need in order to change the way that things are is a strongly rooted family unit. It sounds easy saying it like this, and it is difficult; but the benefits that it yields are worth it. A healthy environment for children and teens is the key to having respectful and responsible adults who see no need to favour anyone because of their gender, age, ethnicity, race, or anything else. Although progress has been made, we as a society have a long way ahead. We are the ones who are going to leave a legacy for the generations to come, and what better legacy is there than one who encourages love, support, and equality? To conclude, I strongly encourage every one of us to be a strong and passionate feminist, fighting for equal rights and opportunities for all, and let’s just see how the world is going to change ;)

‘Till next time…