I am a feminist

[BroccoliSpears]

Feminism - noun

1. The doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.
2. (Sometimes initial capital letter) an organised movement for the attainment of such rights for women.

Why why why why WHY do I hear so many otherwise intelligent, articulate and educated women bleating apologetically that they're "not a feminist, but..." ???

Of course you're a fucking feminist you dozy bint. Unless you genuinely don't believe that women should have rights equal to those of men, then you are a feminist.

And the sisterhood would thank you for not perpetuating the asinine belief that feminism is something to be avoided, to be embarrassed about, to deny. It really isn't about hairy armpits and goats's udder moccasins, but the perpetuation that it is does no one any favours.

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I object to the use of the word "pants" as it has masculine overtones. "Knickers" would have been far more apt .

Nope. I'm not a feminist. I'm a humanist??? . I believe that all people should be equal regardless of gender, age, nationality, colour, disability........

hurrah! I have always always considered myself a feminist, and indeed didn't realise that people thought negatively of the word until a male friend at university attempted to insult me by calling me a feminist - I pointed out that rather said more about him than it did me.

Is there a word for one who thinks women are actually better than me?

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Though hecate, saying you're a feminist doesn't preclude the idea that all people are equal...

Right, but if I hold this view, why add the label feminist to it as well? It covers the lot in one!

Also, feminists believe that women are not equal. I do not. I believe that there are challenges and blocks that women face that men do not, and that there are challenges and blocks men face that women do not.

Fair enough about the label, I guess most people don't go around pronouncing these things anyway

The other point tho - do you think women have equality then? They just have different problems to men?

Broccoli i couldn't agree more. every time i hear a woman talk about feminism as if it's a form of leprosy i want to scream

thankyou for articulating what i've been trying to say for years.

I think that there are areas where women do not have equality with men - the workplace being a biggie...in certain fields. normally the big paying areas. It is VERY difficult for women there.

but there are areas also where men are sidelined and discriminated against. Children being a big one.

It's not all against women, is all I am saying. But the idea that men could have areas that they are not equal to women and that that is a problem too, well, it gets a very hostile reception!

hecate - the fact is women are still not equal to men in the eyes of many many millions of people around the world, so although they may be equal in your eyes it is not true to say that they enjoy equal standing in all societies and in all ways.

er.....

look again.

Such interesting timing i was going to start a thread like this. Last night dp and i had a row and he yelled at me the problem with you is you are a feminist. I said to him all women are feminists and he said only the ones that hate men.

?

sorry hecate not sure what your're getting at.

I think there is a common misconception that feminists don't want equality for all, but instead some kind of female dominance. that's a false assumption to make.

I said that there are areas where women do not have equality, but also areas where men are not seen as equal to or as good or capable as women.

Is it ok to be a semi feminist I prefer sexy unwearable shoes..lol

The "I'm not a feminist, but. . ." stance is a result of the decades of anti-feminist tripe peddled by the British tabloid media. It's not just Sun reading chavs who are influenced, it has permeated every form of popular media, and was particularly prevelant in the 70's and 80's. "I'm not a feminist, but. . " comes from the fear that people might think you are a lesbian, or don't shave your legs or wear a bra.

That's rather the point Mumcentre - feminism is not about what shoes you wear.

I suppose I'm whats called a Liberal feminist...I believe everyone should be treated with equality and respect everyone has individual strengths and they are not all gender based...some fathers are more maternal than some mothers for example...it's about freedom and choices..

When people say 'I'm not a feminist but...' I always want to yell 'WHAT? Are you seriously saying women are inferior to men?'. Nutters.

lol..it was a joke ...