The idea of equality is one that many, if not all, pretend to endorse, but how many actually support it?
Of course, it sounds good on paper, as do most things, but the reality is not as simple. As a female who identifies as a feminist, my opinion on this topic is often regarded as meaningless in the eyes of skeptics, boys my age, and the general population as a whole. And sadly, there is nothing seen as wrong with this. But what boggles my mind is when women themselves are not feminists. As with everything, overwhelming supporters of the cause will drive others away and therefore perpetuate stereotypes of female supremacists. And this is where most people get it wrong because feminism has nothing to do with gender supremacy, but rather raising women up who have for centuries been plagued by stereotypes that have dictated the way they are to be treated and the way they are expected to behave.
Feminism is the advocacy of political, economic, and social equality of all genders. It is not something that should garner shame for supporting, in fact, it's an ode to society that its failure in promoting gender equality has amounted to the formation of a theory that demoralized the supremacy of one gender, one that has served as a blockade surrounding women for centuries. It shouldn't have to exist, but because of the continued, often unaware, beliefs of male domination that has transgressed over the centuries and are so embedded in societal belief even women have accepted them as fact.
I recently came across the "definition" of feminism on the Urban Dictionary, a site similar to Wikipedia in the sense that you can write whatever definition suits your fancy. What I saw was incredibly disappointing and saddening, because the author obviously missed the point of gender equality. Feminism isn't demanding a larger pay wage because you are a woman or expecting special priveledges. It's asking that you are treated with respect. That as a woman you receive the same wage as your male coworker in the same position. That when a man sexually assaults you, you are not fearful to press charges because your word is valued at as much as any man's. These are issues that are still present in America. And this is incredibly comedic, because America, who supports gender equality in foreign countries still struggles to grant it's own women these rights. Don't forget that the right to vote was granted only less than a century ago and it took many many years to accomplish that. The fight for women's rights is still relevant and still proceeding despite recent success.
Often times it feels as if the work is done. But society still has a ways to go. In fact, there has yet to be a female president and only 20% of Congress is made up of women. I'm not suggesting that women must overthrow men in terms of politics, however, I am pointing out the stark contrast of genders in powerful positions.
So to those of you who are teenagers, it is okay to identify as a feminist! Feel free to give your skeptical peers a history lesson about male dominance in American history, and in your spare time research ways to further gender equality in society.
I'd like to point out that I am incredibly fortunate to have predecessors who fought for women's rights but in many countries the fight for things I take advantage of on a daily basis, such as an education, are still hard rolling. I'm continually inspired by those who take initiative and rise above their limitations even when the effort seems fruitless. And with that I say, thank you for taking the time to read this and I implore you to continue to rise above whatever societal standards have been placed on you and to not allow stereotypes to marginalize who and what you are.
Of course, it sounds good on paper, as do most things, but the reality is not as simple. As a female who identifies as a feminist, my opinion on this topic is often regarded as meaningless in the eyes of skeptics, boys my age, and the general population as a whole. And sadly, there is nothing seen as wrong with this. But what boggles my mind is when women themselves are not feminists. As with everything, overwhelming supporters of the cause will drive others away and therefore perpetuate stereotypes of female supremacists. And this is where most people get it wrong because feminism has nothing to do with gender supremacy, but rather raising women up who have for centuries been plagued by stereotypes that have dictated the way they are to be treated and the way they are expected to behave.
Feminism is the advocacy of political, economic, and social equality of all genders. It is not something that should garner shame for supporting, in fact, it's an ode to society that its failure in promoting gender equality has amounted to the formation of a theory that demoralized the supremacy of one gender, one that has served as a blockade surrounding women for centuries. It shouldn't have to exist, but because of the continued, often unaware, beliefs of male domination that has transgressed over the centuries and are so embedded in societal belief even women have accepted them as fact.
I recently came across the "definition" of feminism on the Urban Dictionary, a site similar to Wikipedia in the sense that you can write whatever definition suits your fancy. What I saw was incredibly disappointing and saddening, because the author obviously missed the point of gender equality. Feminism isn't demanding a larger pay wage because you are a woman or expecting special priveledges. It's asking that you are treated with respect. That as a woman you receive the same wage as your male coworker in the same position. That when a man sexually assaults you, you are not fearful to press charges because your word is valued at as much as any man's. These are issues that are still present in America. And this is incredibly comedic, because America, who supports gender equality in foreign countries still struggles to grant it's own women these rights. Don't forget that the right to vote was granted only less than a century ago and it took many many years to accomplish that. The fight for women's rights is still relevant and still proceeding despite recent success.
Often times it feels as if the work is done. But society still has a ways to go. In fact, there has yet to be a female president and only 20% of Congress is made up of women. I'm not suggesting that women must overthrow men in terms of politics, however, I am pointing out the stark contrast of genders in powerful positions.
So to those of you who are teenagers, it is okay to identify as a feminist! Feel free to give your skeptical peers a history lesson about male dominance in American history, and in your spare time research ways to further gender equality in society.
I'd like to point out that I am incredibly fortunate to have predecessors who fought for women's rights but in many countries the fight for things I take advantage of on a daily basis, such as an education, are still hard rolling. I'm continually inspired by those who take initiative and rise above their limitations even when the effort seems fruitless. And with that I say, thank you for taking the time to read this and I implore you to continue to rise above whatever societal standards have been placed on you and to not allow stereotypes to marginalize who and what you are.
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