A Crash Course in Feminism
TRIGGER WARNING FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT, RAPE, VIOLENCE, UNDERAGE MARRIAGE, AND GENITAL MUTILATION. PLEASE DO NOT CONTINUE READING IF YOU NEED TO DO SO FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH. SERIOUSLY, LOVE YOURSELF AND STOP IF YOU NEED TO <3
HERE’S INFORMATION IF YOU NEED TO TALK TO ANYONE ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT: https://www.rainn.org/national-resources-sexual-assault-survivors-and-their-loved-ones
Introduction to Feminism
According to The Merriam Webster Dictionary, feminism is “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” This definition is basically a fancy way of describing the belief that women and men are in every way equal in worth (or should be). Of course, feminism is only needed because that isn’t always true. Where you are, who you’re with, what you look like, how you sound, and so many other factors have the ability to change how you are treated or respected. Sometimes, this may mean others not respecting you as a result of these factors and really it points back to the fact that you are a woman. Over the last few years, I’ve discovered that this disregard of respect for women is common. Some women might watch someone pull their pants down in front of them or in extreme situations experience sexual assault.
When I was little, I never fit in with the other girls around me so I loved to learn about different accomplishments other women, like me, have made. I used to be obsessed with Bindi Irwin because I had never seen another girl who loved animals as much as I did. Growing up with representations of different types of women was very helpful for discovering who I am and deciding what to do with my life. I don’t know who I would be today without women like Frida Kahlo, Malala Yousafzai, Rosa Parks, Florence Nightingale, Jane Austen, Amelia Earhart, and so many others who helped create a foundation for young girls to grow, learn, and be themselves. I thought I would take some time today to explain what Feminism means and why I proudly call myself a feminist even though it is a controversial word. My goal today is to clarify common misconceptions surrounding feminism and to help you to have a better understanding of what it means to be a feminist.
Historically
I could honestly write a book about the history of feminism so for simplicity’s sake I am only going to talk about American Feminism in the early 1900s. Women, even though they were citizens, did not have the right to vote. However, men, who were citizens, could vote and even work in government. People of the time knew that both men and women have brains and that both are humans and that both are capable of basic human functions, such as walking, eating, talking, etc. Women formed groups and named themselves, “suffragettes.” They began to fight for each other’s rights and protest together for the right to vote. This led to the 19th Amendment’s creation and a guarantee of voting for all women. I can’t imagine living in a world where I had no voice in the laws that affected me and no voice in the country where I lived. Today, women have continued to support each other, protest, and stand up for themselves in a world that still seems to hold them back.
A Misconception
One may argue that women in modern America have already taken a stand for themselves. Therefore, there’s no need for feminism. Women can get a divorce, receive medical care that doesn’t relate to being hysterical, have a job or even an executive position, get a doctorate degree from college, or hold property. There are countless other examples of how feminism has changed the world but one might think that feminism has already accomplished its goal. I’m going to list a couple of facts and statistics about women’s rights throughout the world today to display how important it is that feminism doesn’t lose momentum.
- 1 in 3 women have experienced or will experience violence (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 2013).
- 700 million women around the world marry before they turn 18 (UNICEF, 2014).
- At least 200 million girls and women in 30 countries have undergone female genital mutilation (UNICEF, 2016).
- Women are paid less worldwide, only earning 60% – 75% of men’s wages (World Bank Gender Data Portal, 2015).
- Only 7.4% of countries have had female heads of states over the last 50 years (World Economic Forum, 2013).
- Women around the world aged 15-44 are more at risk from rape and domestic violence than from cancer, car accidents, war and malaria (World Bank Gender Data Portal, 2002)
Now that you’ve read some facts about women’s rights today, I hope you believe in the need for feminism. Just in case it hasn’t convinced you, I will continue to share common misconceptions about feminism.
Socially
Today, feminism in America is oftentimes appreciated and encouraged. The #metoo movement has given many women the opportunity to tell their stories. The Handmaid’s Tale shows some of the problems with gender inequality in a way everyone can understand. Feminism is, for the most part, viewed as an important part of everyday life for all women.
Because of feminism, women around the world have accomplished many things. To counter my depressing statistics above, I will share a couple of happy examples of today’s feminism.
- In 2017, Lebanon’s Parliament repealed a law that allowed men accused of rape to be exonerated and live without punishment if they married the individual they had raped. Later, Jordan and Tunisia revoked this same law (The New York Times, 2017).
- As of June 2018, Saudi Arabian women are legally able to get a license and drive (The New York Times, 2017).
- Tess Holiday, who is a size 26 and stands at five feet five inches tall, joined a major modeling agency (MiLk Model Management, 2015).
There are so many other things that have occurred in recent years that could have never happened without feminism. I know I’m not the only one thankful for these accomplishments.
A Misconception
Some women also believe that all feminists hate men. This misconstrued idea is part of the reason I never claimed feminism as my own. What feminism strives to do is gain equality in all aspects of life in every location in the world. Having more equality for one people group does not take away the rights of others. There may be some people who hate men and believe in fewer rights for men; however these women are not feminists, but misandrists, two completely different things. It is not actually feminism that encourages women to hate men but individuals who wrongfully title themselves, feminists. Every widespread people group experiences this to some extent (think of Christianity).
Politically and Religiously (A GIANT misconception)
Both politics and religion are complicated subjects that vary from person to person. Sometimes, people forget that feminists are all individuals with their own beliefs and ideas. Every feminist is a feminist because they believe in women’s rights and equality. It’s not because they follow the same religion or share the exact same political beliefs. This stereotype could not be farther from the truth. One example of this is that feminists have received the reputation of being pro-choice. For many individuals, this goes against their religion. Just because some feminists are pro-choice, this doesn’t make all of them pro-choice. Being a feminist doesn’t make you any less or any more pro-choice or pro-life. People may have assumptions about you because of what they associate feminism with. But, that doesn’t make them right. Feminism is about one overarching belief. Every feminist is going to have different ideas about what they believe. Still, they happily work together with other feminists. It is important and necessary to respect other people’s opinions and beliefs, especially when you are working with them. Please know that Feminists are all different, unique people; we are not the same!
Conclusion
As a woman, it is very difficult not to be a feminist. Anyone who believes that human beings are equal regardless of their sex is a feminist according to the dictionary. You may not want to call yourself one because of your fears of what others will say about you. That’s okay. You don’t need to have a label for supporting women’s rights. In theory, feminism wouldn’t even be needed but this world is far from perfect. Tangent aside, you do you, boo, unless you doing you infringes on the rights of or causes harm to others.
