The definition of ‘feminism’ can vary among individuals, possibly due to a lack of knowledge or misconceptions about it. According to Dictionary.com, feminism is defined as “the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.” Unfortunately, some people, both men and women, choose not to embrace feminism because they falsely believe it involves sexism towards men. However, feminism does not promote sexist thoughts or actions. In fact, one of its main goals is to eliminate sexism in all forms. Notable feminists like Bell Hooks further explain and describe feminism as “a movement to end sexism, oppression, and sexual exploitation.”
Feminism emerged during World War II when women were called upon to fill the employment gaps left by the men in combat. Many women took on demanding jobs, gaining ambition and financial independence. However, with the war’s end, men returned to their previous positions, leaving women to resume domestic duties and societal expectations of being physically attractive.
After enduring a challenging and prolonged battle, men have recently encountered, women have now embarked on their own struggle. Having experienced freedom, many women became tired of repetitive household chores and started feeling an emptiness within themselves (Freidan, 1963). As a result, they began advocating for equal opportunities in the workforce, aiming for stable careers and the same basic rights as men (despite obtaining suffrage a little over two decades ago). Women desired more than just domestic responsibilities and entry-level positions (like operators, which were prevalent among women during that era). This marked the beginning of an ongoing feminist movement.
I support equal rights and opportunities for people of all races, genders, beliefs, religions, and cultures. I strongly oppose any kind of oppression or exclusion based on gender identity, as well as sexual exploitation or belittlement. Although I agree with the ideas of second-wave feminism, I have concerns about fully identifying as a modern “third-wave” feminist because some feminists perpetuate negative stereotypes like unjustified male hatred solely based on gender.
Despite being well-informed about the objectives of the feminist movement, a significant number of contemporary feminists tend to disregard and dismiss the difficulties and oppressions encountered by males. Consequently, there is an absence of equitable representation for issues affecting both genders. From a legal standpoint, men and women are recognized as equals with identical rights. However, oppression remains prevalent in today’s society for individuals of all sexes.
Both men and women can experience different types of violence, such as rape, harassment, and domestic violence. Notably, Campbell (2010) found that more than 40% of domestic violence victims are male. Men also encounter objectification, oppression, and societal norms comparable to those faced by women. The goal of feminism is to attain equality; however, this becomes difficult when only one gender’s problems are recognized while others are ignored. If the challenges faced by an entire group are not acknowledged or dismissed, achieving full social equality becomes unattainable.
Sexism perpetuates when someone’s problems are disregarded solely based on their gender, which goes against the goals of the feminist movement. I support feminism’s objectives of fighting oppression, sexual exploitation, and sexism, and I share the principles and ethics of classical feminism. Nevertheless, there are certain traits associated with modern feminism that I disagree with, stemming from widespread ignorance and stereotypes.
