Kenzie: The Real Definition Of Feminism

In order to understand the present day feminist movement, one must understand how feminism originated and the basic definition of feminism. What comes to mind when you hear the word feminism? For many, phrases like “man-hater” and “feminazi” have become equated with feminism. However, feminism is quite simply defined as “political, economic, and social equality of

What does it mean to be a Feminist? Does it automatically mean you hate men or does it mean you're an activist for women's rights? Contrary to popular belief, feminism is not about establishing a superior gender. It is about fighting for equality and destroying the social, cultural and historical norms set upon women throughout the world. The Twenty-first century has brought change and growth to female empowerment. Although, in many parts of the world women are given the same rights as men, they are still treated and viewed inferior to men. G.I. Jane perfectly illustrates the struggle women have gone through, even when given “identical” opportunities as men.

word in a positive way, and think of it as a woman standing up for her gender’s rights. Other people can think of it in a negative way, as a woman who is too high strung and opinionated. The word feminist is actually a female who has opinions on the way her sex is treated. Modern feminism will be discussed, along with using some examples such as Susan B. Anthony.

At the beginning of the semester when I was asked if I was a feminist, I thought the answer was pretty obvious. I didn’t consider myself a feminist, nor did I ever think I would ever become a feminist, but what I didn’t understand about feminism, was that I didn’t truly understand what it meant to be a feminist. After months of studying gender, I now have a better understanding of what it exactly means to be a feminist. In my opinion, a feminist is someone who wants equal rights for women and men, and what I mean by equal rights, is equality across the board, which includes the political landscape, religious landscape, the free market, the jobs market, ETC. Although that definition is not one that is widely accepted in the academic environment,

The definition of feminism is very elusive. Maybe because of its ever-changing historical meaning, it’s not for certain whether there is any coherence to the term feminism or if there is a definition that will live up to the movement’s variety of adherents and ideas. In the book “No Turning Back,” author Estelle Freedman gives an accurate four-part definition of the very active movement: “Feminism is a belief that women and men are inherently part of equal worth. Because most societies privilege men as a group, social movements are necessary to achieve equality between women and men, with the understanding that gender always intersects with other social hierarchies” (Freedman 7).

This article revolves around the stigma regarding feminism. In her article Iris Kim states "As someone who's pretty outspoken about the subtle and not-so-subtle inequities between men and women in society, I'd feel guilty when I found myself cringing every time someone asked me if I was a feminist and I'd answer proudly, but almost defensively, that yes, I was". The essence of Kim's argument is to change the way people feel when they call themselves a feminist. This article brings forward the notion to end the stereotype around being a feminist from a negative one to a positive one. Kim urges people to see that feminism is about the equality of the sexes and to action for each gender to be given the same

Does society perceive the word, “Feminist” as the newest F-word? Despite the movement’s true advocacy, individuals often correlate the feminist movement with negative views and stereotypes. These stigmas often leave people afraid or sometimes angry at the movement, which will ultimately neglect the campaign’s goals. Stereotypes regarding feminism must be eliminated, but to address this issue, people must first know the true definition of feminism, identify the differences between the truth and the stigmas, and ____

Feminism has been seen as a very negative movement to many people. This is because individuals have not educated themselves on what feminism is really about, they have no knowledge on the topic but still continue to believe that it is horrible. Feminism, in a broad statement, is a movement that wants to achieve equality for all genders, race, and class. Now why would a movement like this be seen as negative? It is seen as negative because people against the movement are giving feminism a bad name by using so many negative, untruthful stereotypes. According to Hall (2013) stereotyping diminishes people’s characteristics and makes them simple (p. 228). These types of stereotypes are used to try to steer everyone away, including active members, from the movement. Anti-feminists are wanting to direct attention away from any of the achievements that the feminist movement has made to make everyone believe these horrible stereotypes. They are doing this because they are afraid. Anti-feminists are afraid that the feminists are going to change the way families are today as well as the sexual and racial relationships between individuals (Freedman, 2013, p. 35). This shows that these individuals would rather keep racism, sexism, homophobia, and misogyny, which the feminists are trying to change, rather then help to make a change. I will be using Valenti (2013), Hall (2013), Freedman (2013), and Tarrant (2013) to discuss why stereotypes are used and how

Many people have misconceptions about what feminism is. I believe that if they were to fully understand what feminism really is, with all its complexities, then everyone should be a feminist. Unfortunately, people often relate the word, feminism, with many negative connotations. For example, people will say “Feminists are radical women who believe men are inferior to them, and that their agenda is more important.” The first thing you need to know is that, feminism in its simplest definition is the want for social, economic, and political equality of the sexes.

Feminism, when people hear the word, they may want to scamper as quickly and far as they possibly can. First, feminism is defined as "The belief that women are and should be treated as potential intellectual equals and social uniform to men." When I bring the word Feminism up in a discussion with my classmates, many of them want to get away from the conversation. Why is it wrong to want equal rights for all people? Feminist are not against men, feminist want the best for everyone. Saying anything else would make you misogynistic (prejudice against women.) or a misandrist (someone who is prejudice against men.) Second of all, Feminism, by its nature, embraces the belief that all people are entitled to freedom and liberty within reason, including

Feminism is so widely recognized as a negative thing, which is why only a select few identify themselves as a feminist, and this needs to change. Feminism, has been, is, and will continue to be a fight for women to get social, political and economic justice they so righteously deserve. Feminism is not a complex idea. Feminists can be any person of any gender, sexuality, religion, race or age. If you believe that women deserve the same opportunities as men, you are a feminist.

To many, feminism means completely different things, some it is men hating women, to others it is women fighting for equality. By putting a label on a person as a feminist, many even if they believe in it do not accept the label. They convince themselves and others that are not them, they are not feminists. Accepting

Feminism is a word with a wide variety of connotations. For some it brings to mind images of strong, influential women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony—women who changed the face of American politics for women. To some it is just another word, but to far too many, feminism is a hated word and therefore a hated cause. It stands for man-hating, excuse-making, manly women who play the victim to gain advantage over men. This negative image of a movement intended to fight for equality prevents both men and women from receiving the benefits moving the cause forward would reap. If people made feminism what it was intended to be then men and women would be empowered to rise above gender stereotypes.

The closest working definition feminism holds states: feminism is a social and political movement that seeks equality of opportunity for all people, regardless of gender; and when there is no equality of outcome, feminists wonder why. However, not everyone is aware of

When one hears the term “Feminism”, she/he may have the idea that it is the urge and