To ask if you feel feminism doesn't include you?

[FlyingElbows]

I was brought up by a mother who, like so many others, found feminism in the late 70s / early 80s. She spent most of my life telling me that I could do anything but I was essentially too stupid to form my own thoughts and opinions and needed "feminists" to think for me. Throughout my adult life I have met women who proclaim to be "feminist" but hold what I have found to be questionable views about who "feminism" should be open to. So, do you feel feminism wants you or are you too stupid, too lacking in academic prowess, too working class, too blonde, too keen on glittery things, too married, too a sahm, too anything at all to be good enough? Just wondering because I have had enough of other women telling me what to think and I'm wondering if it's just me?

What does being a feminist mean to you?

Feminism should be for anyone who believes there should be equality for both sexes.

I think some feminist don't include me in their ideal of feminism.

I have come across people who think I can't be a feminist because I took dhs name (as though I should be attached to my dads name) shave my fanjo etc.

These people look at one part of someone's life and judge. These people also don't get the irony of telling women they should have to live a certain way to feminist.

But they are few and at between. I am a feminist it's not for anyone else to tell me I am or I am not.

The person I have met most like this is a sahm and 'hates' wohm. She uses the word 'hate'.

Personally I feel hating women for making a choice is very I feminist. But it's up to her what she calls herself.

But surely a feminist is just someone who wants equality? That's it, in it's purest form. I would hope everyone is a feminist!

Your mum told you that you need feminist to think for you. Did that really happen.

Most people who say they aren't a feminist don't really understand what it is.

Given that feminist just means that you want equality between the sexes, I don't see how anyone can be excluded from that. Mind you, I was brought up to not worry overmuch about other people's opinions of me so the politics infighting of what defines a feminist tends to wash over me.

I am perplexed by people who clearly believe in equality and then say 'I am not a feminist'. What is that all about? What do they believe a feminist actually is?

What do people think a feminist is then?

Cross post with NN there :D

I am a feminist because I believe women should have the same choices and legal protection as men. For me it is that simple.

I have had a few people telling me I'm not a good feminist because I changed my name on marriage but I don't worry about them. The fact is I had the choice not to change my name but I chose to do so. It was my choice and that is what feminism is about, being able to make your own choices.

I finally realised why the word feminist makes me balk. If it's about equality why does it focus on the female.

The description of what feminism seeks is incongruous with its title.

There is actually more to feminism then simply wanting equality between the sexes.

Wanting simple equality is "equalism". Feminism is more complicated and nuanced than that.

Being a feminist does not automatically prevent someone from being a dick.

Personally I find feminist thought useful for navigating what it means to be female-bodied in this culture. Not sufficient, perhaps, but absolutely necessary. I'm not so keen on the very victimy narrative you hear from some quarters, or the 'intersectional' thing which I think is mostly just licence to be woolly, but the history of feminism is important and I find it personally valuable.

I'm a feminist, but I generally stay away from the feminism area on this forum. It seems to get mired in semantics and pointless theoretical, academic navel-gazing.

That and the obsession with trans issues....

I've never considered it. I believe in, and want equality. I am a feminist. As are most people I know. It is for all as far as I'm concerned.

katenka

But why would you take your father in laws name over your fathers? You can't describe the name as your husbands name if you're describing yours as your dads?

Either our names are our own (that's what I believe) or they belong to our fathers in which case DH doesn't own his name, his father does.

My wc Mum wasn't a feminist. She was abused by my Father, so I don't know if it was conditioned (likely) rather than her beliefs. She got into politics though at a party level, when we were early teams and it seemed to give her the confidence to get rid of him. She chucked him out, got a job (something she wasn't allowed to do) and learnt to drive. She still has some pretty odd ideas about men's and women's work and roles though and she's only 60.

Although I'm in a traditional role in our relationship atm, I still consider myself to be a feminist and I don't understand younger women not believing in it. Without feminism we wouldn't be able to vote, work, drive, have choices, rape and beating your wife would be legal. How can you not believe in it? It doesn't make sense. I'm safe and happy and I make my own choices, I consider myself lucky that that is my right as a woman.

Fair enough Bertrand.

I feel like I want all the same things but I always get irritated by everything having to be labelled. Sadly it's a necessary thing so that the important things can all be talked about under the same banner.

This is no different to proclaiming oneself, say, Christian.

Some Christians do their best to live kindly and nicely and do good in the world. Some Christians take their religion to the Nth degree and proclaim hate for gay people and followers of other religions.

Some feminist views will align with yours. I believe in equality for women. Some feminists believe men are completely unnecessary and should be removed from society.

There's no need to for the big angsty "what does feminism mean to meeeee" debate. Some people will think the way you do, some won't. You can still call yourself a feminist, because you are one. Anti-feminists try to divide / disempower feminism by saying all feminists are hairy-handed dyke men-haters. Don't buy into that argument or perpetrate it.

I find this podcast great. It's about feminism but the guilty part makes it really relatable and realistic in terms of everyday life. It's also really funny!
(Note im not in any way connected to it, just went to watch one and am now hooked)
www.guiltyfeminist.com/size/2

It's probably just you. Feminism has improved and empowered me and true feminism respects any women's choices - be it to be a SAHM, married, single etc. Real feminism doesn't set out hard and fast expectations

I've never thought about whether feminism "wants me". I choose feminism.

I've been a SAHM, I now work PT for significantly less money than I did pre DD and I took DH's name upon marriage. None of that changes the fact that I see sexism and a gender divide everywhere and just hope for equality one day.

I'm an unmarried sahm - so the very worst mind. I come from a poor part of London, miles away from MC life that I read about on here, although my own life is getting more MC I think. I'm not an academic and I'm not into glitter but I am blonde - and I dye it lighter blonde. I still consider myself very much a feminist.