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Original poster

Can Men Be Feminists?

263 replies

Yambabe · 02/08/2018 23:50

Musing. While I've always been on the side of equality and rights for women I don't think, in the past, I would have called myself a feminist.

I'm now starting to do a little more background reading about history and feminist theories, but only really started and don't have the knowledge that I know some of you all do.

The more I read the more interesting it get though, and the more I realise that there is no one-size-fits-all definition of feminism. The basic premise seems to be that society treats men as superior to women, women are oppressed by patriarchy and that feminism exists in all its various forms to try and lift that oppression and attain true equality for women.

So with that in mind, is feminism something that only women can truly understand or is it something that can be open to anyone who understands the premise? There are undoubtedly some men who empathise with the theories and aims of feminism but are they feminists or just supporters?

Not sure where I'm going with this, just curious to see how others view it I think. Also happy to take on board any reading recommendations (although I have already found the other sections of FWR to be a great resource).

OP posts:
PatriarchyPersonified · 03/08/2018 10:55

Bingpot as I have said many times on here:

The world is far from perfect and many changes need to made.

Western women are not oppressed.

These two statements are not mutually exclusive.

IAmLurkacus · 03/08/2018 10:52

I think AF had this whole thread covered with her original post of ‘no’.

I assume I count as a ‘muggle’ (never read any feminist theory, unmarried SAHM to several kids) I think the usual posters (as per usual) are stating basic common sense and PP sounds like a complete tool!

Bingpot · 03/08/2018 10:52

But @PatriarchyPersonified
you've just said our oppression is illusory, so whose oppression are you challenging - or is the world just perfect as it is for you?

UpstartCrow · 03/08/2018 10:51

Just for once it would be great if men and women could have a discussion without the MRA's panicking and dashing in to put a stop to it.

BertrandRussell · 03/08/2018 10:50

“We all have to live in this world together. What you (rad fems) are saying is that you want it all your way, or not at all.”

Can you say more about this? What do we want that you don’t?

PatriarchyPersonified · 03/08/2018 10:49

Agastache

Our way is to have no oppression

So is mine. Like I said, we have more in common than you think.

WhereDoWeBeginToCovetClarice · 03/08/2018 10:49

How about we pick a stranger at random. What's the odds they'll find the status quo or people who are trying to change the status quo more 'reasonable'?

Not as though feminists know all too well the way it will tip - hence the need for a feminist movement and everything...

Agastache · 03/08/2018 10:49
TheCountryGirl · 03/08/2018 10:48

We all have to live in this world together. What you (rad fems) are saying is that you want it all your way, or not at all.

🤨Oh my days! You have to be having a laugh now. It is the MEN you need to be saying this to - it is MEN who fail to see that women live here too and it is MEN who want it all their own way. Ffs you're mad!

Agastache · 03/08/2018 10:48

We all have to live in this world together. What you (rad fems) are saying is that you want it all your way, or not at all.

'Our way' as you put it is to have no oppression. Of anyone.

Why are you against that? Or can you just not visualise that at all?

Bingpot · 03/08/2018 10:47

Oh my god, it just keeps getting better.

Remember ladies, our oppression is only illusory...

PatriarchyPersonified · 03/08/2018 10:44

53rd, well yeah tbh it might help...

We all have to live in this world together. What you (rad fems) are saying is that you want it all your way, or not at all.

How is that any different than the illusory 'oppression' that you rail against? (Just in the opposite direction)

Melanippe · 03/08/2018 10:44

I could get behind a focus group 53rdWay as long as I didn't have to stop watching Laura Ingalls navigate her way through pioneer life. Maybe if we were all just nicer then everything would be ok? I mean, that's worked so well up until now.

53rdWay · 03/08/2018 10:40

Why yes, why has radical feminism never thought of running focus groups to make sure our message isn’t too off-putting to men, what a wonderful idea, we’ll get right on that.

Agastache · 03/08/2018 10:37

It is like a lesson in 'othering'.

PatriarchyPersonified · 03/08/2018 10:37

Now we have to go and find another man

It can be a woman, probably better if it is tbh.

😁

LangCleg · 03/08/2018 10:36

Well now look what you did LangCleg and TheCountryGirl

Women! Know your place! Do not be prolific! Prolific is bad! You might drown out the very important lordly pronouncements!

UpstartCrow · 03/08/2018 10:35

Something you did raised the Patriarchy. Don't do it again #badwitch

Agastache · 03/08/2018 10:34

In the interests of everyones self development, it might be worth some of the more prolific posters in this thread to get a 'muggle' who isn't as bought into the whole radical feminism point of view as they are to review this thread and give them their honest opinion of who comes off sounding more unreasonable and out of touch with reality.

SmileStar

Brilliant, just brilliant. Keep it up!

BertrandRussell · 03/08/2018 10:33

PP -I thought you were going to comment on my list

Melanippe · 03/08/2018 10:31

Well now look what you did LangCleg and TheCountryGirl

We now have to go and find another man to tell us that we're all being unreasonable. You know what that means don't you? I'm going to have to stop binge watching Little House on the Prairie don't you fucking dare judge me, get showered and dressed and go out and find a man, I'll then have to explain to the poor bemused chap that a man on the internet told me to find him and show him this thread to prove that he's not being an arse.

Wayyyy too much effort and all your fault! Grin

PatriarchyPersonified · 03/08/2018 10:26

In the interests of everyones self development, it might be worth some of the more prolific posters in this thread to get a 'muggle' who isn't as bought into the whole radical feminism point of view as they are to review this thread and give them their honest opinion of who comes off sounding more unreasonable and out of touch with reality.

Just a thought.

UpstartCrow · 03/08/2018 10:20

How immature do you need to be to have other people look up to you, by default, based on your sex? Even ones you;'ve never met?

TheCountryGirl · 03/08/2018 10:20

😂 and I was too busy vacuuming the house to feel stupid. That pesky women's work getting in the way of being all edumacated by the manly man.