GirlBoss

What It Means To Be A Feminist: A Patient Review

As humans, we have a tendency to create our own definitions. These definitions are not always as accurate as we think. Read this patient review that answers what it means to be a feminist.

Brief Background

As a female whose friend circle is dominantly male, I have observed negative reactions when the topic of feminism arises. This can be as subtle as an eye roll. It also comes in the form of impatient comments like “I don’t want to listen to this right now.”

At first, my instincts are similar. I clench my teeth and think “oh boy.” This is because feminists have a tendency to project their beliefs loudly. However, it wasn’t until the UN conference released Emma Watson’s speech on feminism that I learned feminists not only to need to be loud to get their point across, but they need to be louder. Unfortunately, there are many who cannot identify what it means to be a feminist.

Clarification

Many assume that feminism is focused primarily on women’s rights. This judgement stems from my own personal experience. While that is partially true, it is also partially false. In fact, feminism is the advocacy for gender equality.

This means not just fighting for women to have equal rights to men, but for men to have equal rights to women as well. Furthermore, for transgenders to have equal rights to cisgenders.

You may be a feminist and not even realize it

Everyday feminism movements we read about include the #MeToo movement, equal pay for women, etc. While these are significant issues I believe current non-feminists should take a second thought to reconsider, there are other simple feminist ideas that one may not have thought of before.

See Also

For example, men typically are hesitant to cry because of the preconceived notion that it makes them look weak or less of man. However, a woman cries and it’s a brush off the shoulder. Feminism advocates to empower men to express their emotions equally as women do.

Do Not Misunderstand Me

I recognize and advocate to repair the holes in society where women are at a severe disadvantage to men. We live in a man’s world. This exists in terms of the division of domestic labor, the media, social inequality, and violence. However, I don’t need to convince feminists to become feminists. My message is geared to those who don’t yet consider themselves a feminist.

Let us know what you think about what it means to be a feminist in the comments below!
Featured Image Source: weheartit.com
hannahloynd

Self-proclaimed comedian and all-day breakfast connoisseur. I like to write about people and the empowering/weird/interesting things about us.

Recent Posts

30 Preppy Outfits To Copy Right Now

If I could buy a whole new wardrobe based on all the adorable preppy outfits I find on Pinterest, I…

7 hours ago

20 Best Comedy TV Shows Of All Time

We all love our occasional (oh, who am I kidding... nightly) Netflix binge, am I right? But that dreaded moment eventually…

11 hours ago

10 Tips For Your Graduation Makeup

This is it. The time you have been waiting for. Whether this is your first graduation or your second time…

14 hours ago

20 Signs You Grew Up In Johns Creek Georgia

If you live in Johns Creek, you probably often find yourself saying a phrase somewhat along the lines of "here…

18 hours ago

20 Thoughts Every Student Has At The Gym

We are all well too familiar with the dreaded freshman 15. Lucky for us though, we have the gym at…

21 hours ago

20 Signs You’re From Virginia Beach

Those of you who were born, raised, or even just lived by King Neptune periodically, can testify- Virginia Beach is it’s…

1 day ago