<http://stanford.library.usyd.edu.au/entries/feminism-topics/>
The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy defines feminism as both an intellectual commitment and a political movement that seeks justice for women and the end of sexism in all forms.
By the former portion of this definition I guess that I would fall into the classification of a "feminist". I'm far from a sexist, I disagree with any beliefs of the sort, and I'm all for the fair and just treatment and rights of women as a whole. BUT the latter portion as it regards feminism as a political movement throws me out of the loop. I'm not part of any feminist movement- political or not. Sure I agree with their beliefs and purposes, but for me to call myself a feminist would be dishonest in that I'm not active in pursuing the goals in which true feminists have set out to acheive.
Most people upon hearing the term feminism automatically draw the idea of feminist activism or something to that effect; this is the idealogy of feminism as a political movement. Now knowing that and guaging by people's perceptions of the terms feminist and feminism, anyone who merely believes that women should be granted equal rights but makes no attempts to facilitate the ambition isn't even half a feminist. Actions speak much louder than words and in following this mentality, one could easily deduct that the only true feminists are the activists themselves- the picketeers and protesters, the authors, the public speakers and so on. Basically, you have to do a lot more than just think or feel to be a feminist.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Why I am a feminist
I do consider myself to be a feminist because I believe that women are equal to men. Feminism is defined as a doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men. The idea that women are not equal to men is absurd. Women and men both have a lot of the same needs. Women live under the same set of laws in which men do. They should have an equal say in politics and other social activities. We have all seen and/or heard of the injustices that women had to face and still have to face. Some can make the argument that if everything was equal women would not be happy. A case where this would be true is the matter of bathrooms. If everything were equal there would be one set of bathrooms. But the idea that something that is separate but equal is fair solves this problem. Women should be treated with respect and dignity, as do all human beings. Women were treated as if they did not have any meaning; they were seen as second to men. The improved condition for women in today’s society is a big step forward but there is still much more that can be done to make women equal to men.
Why I am a feminist
I do consider myself to be a feminist because I believe that women are equal to men. Feminism is defined as a doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men. The idea that women are not equal to men is absurd. Women and men both have a lot of the same needs. Women live under the same set of laws in which men do. They should have an equal say in politics and other social activities. We have all seen and/or heard of the injustices that women had to face and still have to face. Some can make the argument that if everything was equal women would not be happy. A case where this would be true is the matter of bathrooms. If everything were equal there would be one set of bathrooms. But the idea that something that is separate but equal is fair solves this problem. Women should be treated with respect and dignity, as do all human beings. Women were treated as if they did not have any meaning; they were seen as second to men. The improved condition for women in today’s society is a big step forward but there is still much more that can be done to make women equal to men.
Why I Am Not a Feminist
www.dictionary.reference.com/browse/feminism
1.
the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.
2.
(sometimes initial capital letter) an organized movement for the attainment of such rights for women.
By no stretch of the imagination am I trying to say that I do not believe in equal rights for both men and women. In my honest opinion, I think it is despicable that some women are still not receiving the same rights as a man, but I have to make clear that I am not a feminist. The definition for feminism leads me to believe that much of what it means to be a feminist has to do with how involved one is with the progression of women in our obviously male dominated society. I have never been in any organization, gone to any rally, or even attend any meetings that had anything to do with feminism. I believe women should have equal rights but that does not mean that I have to support only women. Myself being a man makes me want to continue having all the rights I have, but I do not want a women to push her way to having more power than me because of affirmative action. That my sound harsh but I mean no harm by it. I simply mean that I am a man that wants every person to be equal without having to push their way there, man or women.
1.
the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.
2.
(sometimes initial capital letter) an organized movement for the attainment of such rights for women.
By no stretch of the imagination am I trying to say that I do not believe in equal rights for both men and women. In my honest opinion, I think it is despicable that some women are still not receiving the same rights as a man, but I have to make clear that I am not a feminist. The definition for feminism leads me to believe that much of what it means to be a feminist has to do with how involved one is with the progression of women in our obviously male dominated society. I have never been in any organization, gone to any rally, or even attend any meetings that had anything to do with feminism. I believe women should have equal rights but that does not mean that I have to support only women. Myself being a man makes me want to continue having all the rights I have, but I do not want a women to push her way to having more power than me because of affirmative action. That my sound harsh but I mean no harm by it. I simply mean that I am a man that wants every person to be equal without having to push their way there, man or women.
"Why I Am Not A Feminist"
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/feminism
fem⋅i⋅nism
/ˈfɛməˌnɪzəm/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [fem-uh-niz-uhm] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.
2. (sometimes initial capital letter) an organized movement for the attainment of such rights for women.
Based on the definition of feminism, I do not see myself as a feminist. When I think of a feminist, I think of someone overwhelmed with the equal or unfair rights that women have. But when I read the definition, it is not that it is an overwhelming thought for women, it explains that feminists are a group of people, similar to religion or political group, who study and go about bringing up women’s rights to others. By not being a feminist, I go about my day taking on the events that take place, not spending a minute thinking or pondering on the rights women have. Also, I do not participate in any “organized movements for the attainment of such rights for women.” I do not take part in “advocating [the] social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.” Being a feminist requires one to have a strong feeling towards women’s rights and do something about it, whether it is taking part of an organized movement or anything else to change the minds of those in charge of our individual rights; it does not mean to just believe in them. I believe in women having equal rights as men, but I do not stress on the fact and carry out my feelings towards the issue. Maybe if I was a woman, I would have different feelings about the rights of women, but even then I do not think I would participate in group meetings and activities to change how others looked at the situation.
- Cory Goulet
Why I am a Feminist
"In the most basic sense, feminism is exactly what the dictionary says it is: the movement for social, political, and economic equality of men and
So, a feminist would be someone who encourages the movement to make men and women equal.
When I went searching for a comprehensible meaning to the term feminist, I didn't expect the definition that I found.(see above) The main reason for this is that I previously believed that among rationale individuals there were those who were feminists and those who were not. However, using the basic definition I found it would be difficult to say that any rationale person, including myself, could say that they were not a feminist. The misconception I had previously was that a feminist was someone who thought that females were superior to males or someone who is against men. That is obviously not the case and is simply a fallacy brought on via incorrect use of the term over the several centuries that it has been a part of our lexis. If the definition I discovered through my research is correct, and that a feminist is, in the broadest sense of the term, someone who simply believes that men and women should be equal in all sociopolitical aspects, as well as in any way that there is an unfair burden on women founded on any chauvinistic ideology, than yes, I am a feminist.
Why I am not a Feminist
A feminist is the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/feminist
According to this definition, I am not a feminist. Although I do support the rights of women, I also believe that men are equal as well. If I only stood for the rights of women and not men, I would be a feminist. If I stood for just men and not women, that would make me a male chauvanist. Feminists don't support both the rights of women and men, thats what makes me different from them. In the past, women and men were not seen as equal, but today women have as many opportunities as men. Feminists groups will never die even though both sexes are seen as equal to most, they aren't to others.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/feminist
According to this definition, I am not a feminist. Although I do support the rights of women, I also believe that men are equal as well. If I only stood for the rights of women and not men, I would be a feminist. If I stood for just men and not women, that would make me a male chauvanist. Feminists don't support both the rights of women and men, thats what makes me different from them. In the past, women and men were not seen as equal, but today women have as many opportunities as men. Feminists groups will never die even though both sexes are seen as equal to most, they aren't to others.
Why I Am Not a Feminist
Feminism is defined as the advocacy of womens rights. This implies that women and men have been placed in different social perspectives from ages. Women have not been given equal status in areas that have been conventionally considered as a part of the domain of men.
http://www.encyclocentral.com/21479-Definition_Of_Feminism_Political_Social_Economical_Equality_Of_Women.html
According to the above definition I would not consider myself a feminist. The main reason I say this is because the definition says that feminism is "the advocacy of womens rights" and although I can support womens rights I do not advocate it. I do not advocate womens rights because I am not trying to influence or speak out for the cause. I agree with the fact that women and men have been seperated in society for many years and have the right to fight for their equal rights. I support people standing up for their rights and am against treating women as less than men just based on their sex. I disagree on the part of the definition that says women have not been given equal status in areas that have been conventionally considered as a part of the domain of men because women have gained the same rights as men and now can do most of the same jobs as them and are not limited anymore by gender. I guess in some ways I do agree with feminism and maybe by another definition I could say I am a feminist but by this one I am not because of the advocacy part of it.
http://www.encyclocentral.com/21479-Definition_Of_Feminism_Political_Social_Economical_Equality_Of_Women.html
According to the above definition I would not consider myself a feminist. The main reason I say this is because the definition says that feminism is "the advocacy of womens rights" and although I can support womens rights I do not advocate it. I do not advocate womens rights because I am not trying to influence or speak out for the cause. I agree with the fact that women and men have been seperated in society for many years and have the right to fight for their equal rights. I support people standing up for their rights and am against treating women as less than men just based on their sex. I disagree on the part of the definition that says women have not been given equal status in areas that have been conventionally considered as a part of the domain of men because women have gained the same rights as men and now can do most of the same jobs as them and are not limited anymore by gender. I guess in some ways I do agree with feminism and maybe by another definition I could say I am a feminist but by this one I am not because of the advocacy part of it.
Why I am Not a Feminist
Feminism Definition
1. feminine qualities
2.
a. the principle that women should have political, economic, and social rights equal to those of men
b. the movement to win such rights for women
http://www.yourdictionary.com/feminism
I am not a feminist because I believe that men and women are both human beings therefore they are equal. In order to be a feminist one must believe that men and women are different. I believe that women do have "political, economic, and social rights equal to those of men" no matter what society says. In today's world women have the exact same opportunities as men have they just need to stop protesting and just take the opportunities that are right in front of them. If feminists want to be seen as equals to men they need to stop emphasizing on how different they are and instead emphasize on how similar they are to men. I am not a feminist because I do not take part in "the movement to win such rights for women". According to the above definition I am not a feminist because i do believe that men and woman do have equal rights and I do not take part in their movement. I do support the fact that feminists stand up for what they believe, but I do not believe that I am one.
1. feminine qualities
2.
a. the principle that women should have political, economic, and social rights equal to those of men
b. the movement to win such rights for women
http://www.yourdictionary.com/feminism
I am not a feminist because I believe that men and women are both human beings therefore they are equal. In order to be a feminist one must believe that men and women are different. I believe that women do have "political, economic, and social rights equal to those of men" no matter what society says. In today's world women have the exact same opportunities as men have they just need to stop protesting and just take the opportunities that are right in front of them. If feminists want to be seen as equals to men they need to stop emphasizing on how different they are and instead emphasize on how similar they are to men. I am not a feminist because I do not take part in "the movement to win such rights for women". According to the above definition I am not a feminist because i do believe that men and woman do have equal rights and I do not take part in their movement. I do support the fact that feminists stand up for what they believe, but I do not believe that I am one.
Why I'm not a Feminist
I am not a feminist. The reason is simple: Men and women are different, there are certain things women can never do and certain things men can never do. Society has to understand that, more importantly feminists have to.
At the same time I don't think that it is right to disrespect women. Women should have a respectable place in society. Society should respect women in positions of power, if they are capable of it.
In America, the Judicial system has a number of laws to protect women. In many parts of the world women are treated brutally, i think that is wrong. No one should ever be treated brutally.
At the same time, I think feminists are very prejudicial against men. They end up men bashing most of the time.
For the above reasons, I would never call myself a feminist but I would say I am a humanitarian.
http://mw1.m-w.com/dictionary/feminist
Why I Am Not A Feminist
1. The belief that women and men are, and have been, treated differently by our society, and that women have frequently and systematically been unable to participate fully in all social arenas and institutions.
2. A desire to change that situation.
3. That this gives a "new" point-of-view on society, when eliminating old assumptions about why things are the way they are, and looking at it from the perspective that women are not inferior and men are not "the norm."
http://folk.uio.no/thomas/po/whatisfeminism.html
Men and women are seen as equal in todays society. This is why I am not a feminist. Feminist go on about how they are not equal to men but in reality, they are. It is true that we live in a male dominated world but women have made great strides throughout the years and have become equal to men. I do think women are treated differently in society but only for little things such as men holding doors open for women. Feminist seem to think that they are treated unfairly in many facets of life but if thats true then men are also treated unfairly. There are laws that are made specifically to protect women but I don't recall any laws that are made to protect men. Women are given the same opportunities as men these days to succeed, maybe even more opportunities, but instead of complaining about what they don't have, feminist should just go out and get it instead of complaining. If I was a feminist then i would be admitting that women are inferior to men, but I think I made it obvious that women are not so that is why I am not a feminist.
2. A desire to change that situation.
3. That this gives a "new" point-of-view on society, when eliminating old assumptions about why things are the way they are, and looking at it from the perspective that women are not inferior and men are not "the norm."
http://folk.uio.no/thomas/po/whatisfeminism.html
Men and women are seen as equal in todays society. This is why I am not a feminist. Feminist go on about how they are not equal to men but in reality, they are. It is true that we live in a male dominated world but women have made great strides throughout the years and have become equal to men. I do think women are treated differently in society but only for little things such as men holding doors open for women. Feminist seem to think that they are treated unfairly in many facets of life but if thats true then men are also treated unfairly. There are laws that are made specifically to protect women but I don't recall any laws that are made to protect men. Women are given the same opportunities as men these days to succeed, maybe even more opportunities, but instead of complaining about what they don't have, feminist should just go out and get it instead of complaining. If I was a feminist then i would be admitting that women are inferior to men, but I think I made it obvious that women are not so that is why I am not a feminist.
Why I'm NOT a feminist.
http://www.feminist.com/resources/artspeech/genwom/whatisfem.htm
Feminism is the feeling that women are treated poorly compared to men. I’m not a feminist because I don’t believe that all women are treated poorly. Of course there are people who have been treated badly but it isn’t only among women. People are treated differently by race and class also. Everyone will experience a time when they were not heard and was not treated as an equal. I don’t think that women are as ’suppressed’ as they make it seem. Along with the idea of equal rights, there are movements that try to get political and social change for women. In today’s society, women have been given more rights in the government and political world. It is the social world that is hard to change. Everyone has different opinion and experiences, so people who are might have had a bad experience with something will be more bias towards it. I believe that most people today are more excepting of women, people of color, etc. I don’t think there is a need for women to still have a movement to try and make a point. The change has already been heard of and seen. All there is to do now is wait for people to realize and accept the change themselves. I think the more women seem unsatisfied and ungrateful, the less the progress of being equal will work.
Feminism is the feeling that women are treated poorly compared to men. I’m not a feminist because I don’t believe that all women are treated poorly. Of course there are people who have been treated badly but it isn’t only among women. People are treated differently by race and class also. Everyone will experience a time when they were not heard and was not treated as an equal. I don’t think that women are as ’suppressed’ as they make it seem. Along with the idea of equal rights, there are movements that try to get political and social change for women. In today’s society, women have been given more rights in the government and political world. It is the social world that is hard to change. Everyone has different opinion and experiences, so people who are might have had a bad experience with something will be more bias towards it. I believe that most people today are more excepting of women, people of color, etc. I don’t think there is a need for women to still have a movement to try and make a point. The change has already been heard of and seen. All there is to do now is wait for people to realize and accept the change themselves. I think the more women seem unsatisfied and ungrateful, the less the progress of being equal will work.
Why I Am Not A Feminist
According to Merriam-Webster on http://mw1.m-w.com/dictionary/feminism the definition of feminism is:
1 : the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes
2 : organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests.
The reason why I am not a feminist is that I believe men and women are different. I do not think there is anyway to avoid that. People that do feel like men and women should be equal are right but the reality is that they will always be different. Men and women have different interests and skills. For example, I know more females that are good at one thing that most men can't do and I know males that can do something that most females are not too good at. Though, there are few that are exceptions to this, the whole point is that they are exceptions. I think that anybody can do anything as long as they are determined to do so. There are just different probabilities that a person of a certain gender will do something that their gender is not known for doing. I do believe that men and women should have equal opportunities and I think that they do. In the past I think that women were discriminated against and they did need to work harder to get the same things that men got but in the present day things are different. I could be wrong because I am a male and do not see things as a female would but this is just my opinion.
2 : organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests.
The reason why I am not a feminist is that I believe men and women are different. I do not think there is anyway to avoid that. People that do feel like men and women should be equal are right but the reality is that they will always be different. Men and women have different interests and skills. For example, I know more females that are good at one thing that most men can't do and I know males that can do something that most females are not too good at. Though, there are few that are exceptions to this, the whole point is that they are exceptions. I think that anybody can do anything as long as they are determined to do so. There are just different probabilities that a person of a certain gender will do something that their gender is not known for doing. I do believe that men and women should have equal opportunities and I think that they do. In the past I think that women were discriminated against and they did need to work harder to get the same things that men got but in the present day things are different. I could be wrong because I am a male and do not see things as a female would but this is just my opinion.
Why I am not a feminist
www.visionsinfeminism.org
This is a website used by the organization “Visions in Feminism”. It is a conference held at the American University and their goal is “to provide a forum for diverse perspectives on feminist praxis”. While there is no actual definition of feminism on their pages it is very clear to the reader that feminism, to these people, is just a club. They see it as an output for all their opinions.
Under the conference tab it says, “All ages, races, genders, and experiences welcome” however some of the events at that conference are obviously geared toward people with certain beliefs. One such event is the WACDTF Training. The WACDTF Training is a workshop that teaches these women how to handle protesters at free women’s’ clinics, also known as abortion clinics.
The women behind the conference are brought up to be such amazing people in their biographies, being cited as “thrift store aficionado[s]” or as participating “in anarchist conferences”. Only two of them were said to have gone to college, Sonya Mendoza biography says “Oh yeah and she went to college too” however Lindsey Hobb’s biography states “After completing grad school with an MA in 20th century”.
It is not that I believe every feminist is like this, nor is it right to assume that every organization is like this. However, it is fine by me to assume that many feminists feel strongly about their beliefs. But that is not me. I cannot feel strongly about anything. To answer the question “Are you a Feminist?” I say no, because I have no opinion on the subject.
Ben Lauze
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