To think this idea of feminism has been totally misinterpreted?

[Goonie1]

Moved from chat for more traffic.

What does the term feminism mean to you?
I ask because in a conversation at work yesterday (with a male) he said it goes so far as meaning not offering physical help to females (eg heavy lifting, physically demanding chores) even if they look like they might need help or indeed ask for help. If they’re a feminist, they shouldn’t want male help was the line of thought.

To me that’s just madness! If I saw someone less physically able, male or female, I’d help them because it’s the right thing to do. Feminism doesn’t even come into it!
Needless to say, I have a very different idea of what feminism is compared to this guy and in my opinion, he needs to learn what feminism really stands for.

This.

Yes. I mean, it’s not that complicated. Ask him why his main takeaway is that feminism involves him saving himself effort

Or save your peace a choose not to respond! 😂

I think the term feminist or feminism has been misinterpreted in a whole host of ways. In the example you give I can see how the man in question may have arrived at this view as in the past he may well have offered help of various things in various ways and then is berated for it. If someone was struggling with something male or female it would be kind/polite to offer help. In other ways feminism has been interpreted as holding specific views. I for example don't believe in abortion and have been told on these threads I cannot be a feminist because of this. This has led me to the opinion that I would not want to call myself a feminist despite the fact that if you looked at my life/career/etc etc without knowing that you would say that I would definite be a feminist. I believe feminism encompasses a spectrum of views but not every one thinks that way

I've seen a number of people on YouTube and I think much of it comes from Tiktok with women who seem to think the feminist movement fought for the right for women to work and have DC are now complaining about how hard it is working and having children.

They seem to think that 'before feminism' all women with DC stayed at home and don't understand that certainly in the working classes, most women always worked even with DC and the feminism movement was about rights to working equality in terms of pay and career progression rather than the right TO work!

I've seen a number of people on YouTube and I think much of it comes from Tiktok with women who seem to think the feminist movement fought for the right for women to work and have DC are now complaining about how hard it is working and having children.

They seem to think that 'before feminism' all women with DC stayed at home and don't understand that certainly in the working classes, most women always worked even with DC and the feminism movement was about rights to working equality in terms of pay and career progression rather than the right TO work!

Edit - they seem to feel betrayed by 'feminism' as think it made women have to have jobs and not be 'housewives'.