Can men be feminists?

[lovelilies]

I'm pretty sure they can't, as they have the privilege of being male!
Please correct me if I'm wrong?

No, we can’t. Nor should we try to interfere. Not wanted, not needed.

@positivelyPERF what are you going on about ? Your either trying to engage in being a victim or just don’t understand the word dictate ? Point out where I have dictated feminism ? I merely asked you to answer my original question.

Dad28 meet JurgenKloppsCat*

So many questions Dad. That's one of the things. Then there's talking over people. Faux not understanding. Getting just a little exasperated, angry and loud when not deferred to. So many tactics.

They often identify as feminists, but actually being a feminist is harder than wearing a tee shirt with a political slogan.
Women usually discover that men who claim to be feminists are not feminists the first time a woman tells them no.
I only know of one man who walks the Feminism talk and he does not identify as a Feminist.

Don’t worry Dad28, you’ll not make a victim out of me. But thanks again, for proving why men can’t be feminists.

Feminism isn't about equality it's about liberation from the patriarchy.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3325229-Can-Men-Be-Feminists

My recent thread on this, which even had the same title.

Having read all the replies to that, and from still continuing to read various bits and pieces of feminist writing and theory, I am now pretty much decided in my own mind that men can't be feminists.

They can understand feminist theory, and agree with it. They can empathise and be allies/supporters. But that doesn't make them feminists.

Feminism is the political movement for the liberation of women.
Men who meet minimum standards of decent human being are not Feminists. They are just decent men. Rare, I know, but that is all they are.

Think of it like this. I'm a huge proponent of sustainable development, fair trade and African self determination. I think colonialism is evil, I've studied and thought about it a lot. What the colonizing powers have done to the colonized is dreadful and we need to redress things.

But if someone asked me to swap my life and my child's life with someone living in poverty in the majority world today, have another woman take my place, there's not a hope in hell. Because although I believe in equality, my overwhelming wealth, privilege and power is REALLY good for me and mine. I want the world to be more equal. But when it comes down to one space in the lifeboat, my kid is in there, not hers.

Can a man be a female? No.
Can a man be a feminist? Yes.

Can a white person be black? No.
Can a white person believe black lives matter? Yes.

This.

Men can absolutely be feminists even if they can't join the exclusive FWR feminist club with its new expanded definition of feminism.

"DH is more of a feminist than I am."

I'm really interested in this-what do you mean?

History teaches us that no, men are not capable of being Feminists to date.

Also too and besides 8th rule of misogyny: Men are whatever men say they are and women are whatever men say they are.

AllDayBreakfast- what is the definition of feminism you thing FWR uses?

Well it's not the dictionary one...

So what is it?

FWR

Feminism isn't about equality it's about liberation from the patriarchy.

Feminism is the political movement for the liberation of women.

Oxford Dictionaries:

Feminism: The advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.

Feminist: A feminist is simply someone that supports true equality, and many men are feminists.

Ah, the authority that is the Oxford Dictionary.

The Oxford Dictionary that has never had a female as the chief editor in over 150 years...

Ah, so we need to use narrowed down definitions of what the OED believes feminism is rather than the original meaning. Thanks fella.

Equality is men losing money when they have children and being killed by partners every few days. No ta. I'll take women's rights and liberation, thanks.

Surely it's a bit sexist to suggest that the Oxford Dictionary might be inaccurate on the basis of it being run by men...

All men benefit from this oppression and contribute to it, so how can they also be fighting for women's liberation? It is impossible.

My manly view:
Men aren't just animals who mindlessly drift towards whichever place is warmest and supplies the most food! Well ok some of us are... but others can see the injustice of inequality and exploitation and be outraged and opposed to it. Having a mother, sister or wife should make that clear, but if you're really dumb having a daughter should absolutely seal the deal.

I don't see why men can't be feminists. But it's a supportive role - we're at best foot soldiers, spear carriers. We should take our lead from women.

I'm up for bodyguard work! Trans aggression towards women makes my blood boil.

Do I have to post my list again? Don’t make me post my list again..........

Rowley meet Jurgen