Feminism Beyond the Jargon
Why is it easy for other women/people to condemn the word feminism?
Feminism is attacked despite the fact that we are walking along the path that women freedom fighters from the past have paved for us. Yes, we continue the struggle. But most shun the “label.”
To be called a feminist has become a taunt – a rabid woman, an Amazon, an angry female and a host of other insults. The feminist cliché. But what does it mean? What is feminism? Who is a feminist?
Often, feminism is mistaken as, simply, women hating men. But what feminists are against is a more complicated dichotomy – gender inequality. We feminists are against the oppressive patriarchal system – where women do not have the freedom to choose; where women are defined/boxed in stereotype “feminine” roles (e.g. cooking, cleaning, sewing, housework); where women are paid less and given less opportunities just because they are considered the lesser sex.
Why is it easy for other women/people to condemn the word feminism?
Feminism is attacked despite the fact that we are walking along the path that women freedom fighters from the past have paved for us. Yes, we continue the struggle. But most shun the “label.”
To be called a feminist has become a taunt – a rabid woman, an Amazon, an angry female and a host of other insults. The feminist cliché. But what does it mean? What is feminism? Who is a feminist?
Often, feminism is mistaken as, simply, women hating men. But what feminists are against is a more complicated dichotomy – gender inequality. We feminists are against the oppressive patriarchal system – where women do not have the freedom to choose; where women are defined/boxed in stereotype “feminine” roles (e.g. cooking, cleaning, sewing, housework); where women are paid less and given less opportunities just because they are considered the lesser sex.
Feminism does not aim to relegate men. Men are as much victims as women. They have been conditioned by society through images and roles determined for men, having to succumb to appearances of male domineering attitudes or roles.
Feminism isn’t just for women. Feminism is the act of respecting and valuing women. Hence, men can be feminists, too – if they are aware of the issues that plague women; and acknowledge and take action against women’s subordination/oppression.
Feminists can come from all walks of life, nationalities, sexual preferences, beliefs, etc. Feminists can be heterosexual, bisexual, transgender, and the list goes on.
Feminism is nuanced, and this is an important aspect of it. For example, not all feminists are lesbians and not all lesbians are feminists. The stigma attached to being gay/lesbian is the same societal discrimination put on being feminist. There is a fine line of identification that sexism blurs through irresponsible labels and generalizations.
A woman who wears make up can be a feminist. A woman who chooses to be a housewife can be a feminist. Keeping up one’s self-appearance and staying at home are choices that any woman should have. These are choices that should not be made with stigmas – such as make up as cover for insecurity, and domesticity as refuge for the weaker sex.
Feminism is not against motherhood. I once read that “womanhood is not equal to motherhood.” Definitely. It is not every woman’s destiny. It is not the only purpose in a woman’s life. Society should not condition a girl/woman to “motherhood” by glorifying her through her “sacrifice,” “selflessness,” and “suffering.” The girl/woman should have the choice whether she likes to be a mother or not. The ability and capacity to be one does not always come naturally.
More importantly, men can be mothers too. Motherhood is role that can be and must be shared with men.
