Do You Consider Yourself a Feminist?

[Summer2018]

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

I'm surprised that there are women in this country who don't think that they deserve to have the same rights as men. Incredible.

To me, not being feminist does not equal not thinking women deserve the same rights as men. Most people I know do not consider themselves feminists, myself included, but believe in equality among the genders. I personally just don't see how women in the US have less rights than men or are as a whole seen as less than.

Absolutely there are some individuals that have gender biases, but I see that as more of an issue with specific individuals' perceptions than a system that denies equal rights because of gender. Some women have the same sort of gender biases but in the reverse, in thinking or comparing all men to rapists, warmongers, etc who all just want to hold women down. More and more, some of these anti-men sentiments seem to be promulgated throughout society, and I think it completely turns many people away from the feminist movement.

 

[llane]

Different laws were asked for, that’s what I provided.

I never said laws should be better for a female over a male.

 

[OKW8297]

Yup. And I’m getting more vocal.

 

[Hikergirl]

Different laws were asked for, that’s what I provided.

I never said laws should be better for a female over a male.

Actually it was different rights that men had that women don’t. What you provided wasn’t an example of that.

 

[MrsPete]

No, self-proclaimed Feminists seem to claim they want equal rights, but in practice they seem to seek to put down men. No one ever brought himself (or herself) up by putting down others.

 

[Sandeep1]

To me, not being feminist does not equal not thinking women deserve the same rights as men. Most people I know do not consider themselves feminists, myself included, but believe in equality among the genders. I personally just don't see how women in the US have less rights than men or are as a whole seen as less than.

Absolutely there are some individuals that have gender biases, but I see that as more of an issue with specific individuals' perceptions than a system that denies equal rights because of gender. Some women have the same sort of gender biases but in the reverse, in thinking or comparing all men to rapists, warmongers, etc who all just want to hold women down. More and more, some of these anti-men sentiments seem to be promulgated throughout society, and I think it completely turns many people away from the feminist movement.

Well said

 

[dazedx3]

Yes,I consider myself a feminist, but i don't agree with all feminists. Much the same way I consider myself a democrat but I don't agree with all democrats or I consider myself a Christian but I certainly do not agree with all Christians.

I think the men and women expressing their opinions in this thread are much closer in ideas and thoughts than some would like to admit. This has been a thought provoking discussion and I thank everyone for expressing their views. There always seems to be "extremes" that get people bogged down and keep us further apart than we probably are.
,

 

[llane]

Actually if it’s not a law it’s not a right. Or is it it’s not a right unless it’s a law?

 

[kimblebee]

She knows, she is the one who brought it in to this thread. At this point she's trying to get the last word and I'm happy to let her have it.

No, I really didn’t know what you were talking about. I asked you to state a law that affects men ONLY. You replied with one that affects women.

 

[MrsPete]

No, I really didn’t know what you were talking about. I asked you to state a law that affects men ONLY. You replied with one that affects women.

I didn't catch the first portion of this thought, but I can think of two laws that affect men and not women:

1. Men are required to register with Selective Service, while women are not. Personally, I think no one will ever be drafted again (because today's modern military needs smart people, not warm bodies able to carry guns), but men are required to register.

2. A man who fathers a child outside of wedlock can be forced to pay child support for the child -- even if he doesn't want the child or wishes the mother to have an abortion. Once the child is conceived, the woman can make the choices, and the state will force the man to comply.

 

[disykat]

Dazedx3 nailed it. Yes, I consider myself a feminist due to my basic beliefs. That doesn't mean that I'm what used to be called a "radical feminist." The word has a pretty broad definition and you don't have to fit every nuance you've ever heard of the word to be part of the demographic.

For example, I was a SAHM for many years, something many feminists are opposed to. However, many feminists believe that the ability to choose your path is what counts, not the specific choice you make. Both are feminists, just feminists with different opinions.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

No, I really didn’t know what you were talking about. I asked you to state a law that affects men ONLY. You replied with one that affects women.

Here's an article for you.
https://thoughtcatalog.com/janet-bloomfield/2014/08/5-legal-rights-women-have-that-men-dont/

 

[Hikergirl]

No, I really didn’t know what you were talking about. I asked you to state a law that affects men ONLY. You replied with one that affects women.

I believe my comment that was in reference to was your comment about a law that regulates a woman's body.
I said it was a law that regulates a procedure. It happens to be the case where women are having that procedure, and that has nothing to do with equality but everything to do with biology.

 

[lifesavacation]

I didn't catch the first portion of this thought, but men are required to register with Selective Service, while women are not. Personally, I think no one will ever be drafted again (because today's modern military needs smart people, not warm bodies able to carry guns), but men are required to register.

Probably not pertinent to thread, but I read this will likely be challenged at the Supreme Court at some point due to the fact that women are allowed to now serve in combat roles.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/2968872002

 

[Chirple]

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feminism

Based on Webster’s definition, yes, as well as my husband.

 

[Floridaman999]

I asked my wife if she was and she laughed at me. I'm not sure how to take that to be honest.

 

[Planogirl]

I am definitely a feminist and always have been.

I'll just add that it's not only about "rights." Minorities supposedly have the same rights but would anyone claim that they are treated fairly? The same is true for women. Studies and statistics continually show women earn less than men and are promoted less often. Girls have been shown to be treated differently in school way too often. These are just some of the issues.

There is nothing wrong with being different. What stinks is not having the same opportunities. All people deserve respect and the same chances and until I see otherwise I don't believe that this is happening yet.

I also hate to see some of these comments. Great women (and men) fought for what we currently have. The work is far from done.

 

[DopeyDame]

The only feminist I could be is a pro life feminist.

These are your people:

https://www.feministsforlife.org/

I heard Serrin Foster speak once and she was super engaging and passionate. I definitely recommend it if you get the opportunity.

 

[smokeyblue]

Yup. I'm a feminist. I can't deny that men and woman are different, and there is nuance in every situation, but I've experienced blatantly unequal treatment in relation to my gender inside the workplace, with medical treatment and other aspects of life on many occasions.

I also care about women in other parts of the world that don't have freedom to chose to do and be who they want, don't have access to proper medical care and hygiene products and are subject to other oppression because of their gender.