Feminism: Myth vs. Truth

By Chikamso Chijioke

Feminism is famously defined as the belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes (Merrimack Webster). But somehow, people are led to believe that it is a completely different thing. Let’s take a look at some of the most common misconceptions of feminism.

Feminists are sexist and hate men: This is one of the most common misconceptions of them all. Not only is this false because not all feminists are women, but it is also false because feminists hate the patriarchy, not men. We hate that it can make men violent and hate-filled. Feminists hate things that make society unjust. Sexists cannot be feminists, no matter what they call themselves. Anyone who calls themselves a feminist and hates men without reason or believes women are superior to men, is not, by definition, a feminist. If someone says they are vegan and still eats meat are they truly vegan?

Feminists are irrationally angry: We are angry, but for all the right reasons. I don’t think it is irrational to be angry at the injustices women and men face due to the patriarchy and misogynists. We do not “victimize” ourselves. We simply bring to light the ways we are mistreated, and aim to end them.

Only women are feminists: Feminism is for everyone. There are countless of men who are feminists while there are women who aren’t. You don’t have to belong to a group of oppressed people to believe that they should be treated fairly. It’s the same reason why not all feminists are lesbians (another false claim).

Women are already equal, and we don’t need feminism anymore: While it is true that in the west, women have more legal rights than before, the economic and social prospects have not been as fulfilled. There are still bounds of unjust societal aspects between men and women, a stark example being gender roles. Feminism is still needed to break down gender roles and stereotypes about the way the different sexes should act. Feminism is also just now starting to be intersectional, meaning that it is fighting for everyone--of different races, classes, and sexual orientations--which has not happened in the past. Furthermore, we must never forget, and continue to fight for women in other parts of the world that we may not be familiar with, who are treated as sub-human. Feminism aims to bring equity to them as well.

Feminists are not feminine/are against femininity: While some female feminists do not conform to societal beauty standards for women, a key component of feminism is that women should be allowed to choose how to express themselves and live their lives--even if it means conforming to said standards. In the end, it is not our place as feminists to judge another woman’s choices, especially if they’re not harmful to anyone. This also applies to marriage, sex, and opting to be a caretaker instead of having a career (other things people believe feminists to be against).

Feminists just want special treatment, not equality: I find that the people who say this fail to acknowledge the special treatment that men get and have gotten for so many years. Feminism intends on dismantling the “boys club” mentality that plagues countless industries and aspects of our world, that makes it easier for men to get ahead while excluding women. We want women to have the same opportunities as men to progress.

At the end of the day, feminism is an ideology, and like all ideologies, it may be interpreted differently from person to person. But at its core, feminism strives for equality--for everyone, in all forms, in all places. Feminists want to liberate and empower women as well as give them equal rights, opportunities, and respect. We want to tear down the patriarchy--the root of boundless oppression of women, and harmfulness to men. We want to make it so that the physical, ethnic, and cultural differences of women do not stop them from living their lives to the fullest. That shouldn’t be too much to ask for, right?