Panopticon, n. 2. A circular prison with cells arranged around a central well, from which inmates can be observed at all times. 3. gen. A place where everything is on display; a public exhibition hall or showroom.
No, really, this much-debated question has – I believe – a very simple answer. As far as I am concerned, feminism stems from the belief that throughout history women have been seen as inferior to men, they value associated primarily with their beauty and other superficial qualities, treated in an inferior manner and have had their worth questioned. You don’t have to be a woman to see that refusing education or the vote to woman was/is patently unfair. I don’t believe you have to hate men to be a successful feminist, I think it’s rather about equality than superiority. Is that difficult for a man to believe as well as a woman? If you believe so, then surely you are being unfair to men!
Of course, there’s nothing to stop men hating men, or feeling that women are superior – and far be it from me to get on my soapbox to change their opinion! – but as far as I’m concerned, that isn’t feminism.
Feminism now, in my opinion, is about challenging the remnants of this inequality by speaking out against slut-shaming, rape culture, pay gaps, abortion bans etc etc. Recognising that women have equal thought capacity to men and deserve to make decisions and be recognised as equals. And I don’t see why men can’t stand up for this too. They’re as equally affected as women by anti-feminists, directly or by proxy. Why deny them the option to make up their minds to support equality for both sexes?
I can call myself a feminist if I like, even if others disagree, so there shouldn’t be anything to stop a man from doing the same.
No, really, this much-debated question has – I believe – a very simple answer. As far as I am concerned, feminism stems from the belief that throughout history women have been seen as inferior to men, they value associated primarily with their beauty and other superficial qualities, treated in an inferior manner and have had their worth questioned. You don’t have to be a woman to see that refusing education or the vote to woman was/is patently unfair. I don’t believe you have to hate men to be a successful feminist, I think it’s rather about equality than superiority. Is that difficult for a man to believe as well as a woman? If you believe so, then surely you are being unfair to men!
Of course, there’s nothing to stop men hating men, or feeling that women are superior – and far be it from me to get on my soapbox to change their opinion! – but as far as I’m concerned, that isn’t feminism.
Feminism now, in my opinion, is about challenging the remnants of this inequality by speaking out against slut-shaming, rape culture, pay gaps, abortion bans etc etc. Recognising that women have equal thought capacity to men and deserve to make decisions and be recognised as equals. And I don’t see why men can’t stand up for this too. They’re as equally affected as women by anti-feminists, directly or by proxy. Why deny them the option to make up their minds to support equality for both sexes?
I can call myself a feminist if I like, even if others disagree, so there shouldn’t be anything to stop a man from doing the same.
Posted by colesk | February 17, 2012, 12:46