(After reading @kathryntheterrible post) I feel like feminism is becoming harder and harder to understand as it becomes widely known as a man-hating, patriarchy smashing, only-fighting-for-women’s-rights concept. The line between gender equality and man-hating is being blurred just by the term “feminism” and it’s female connotations. We are losing sight of what it really is.
Men are beginning to speak up about the stereotyping of their gender. They don’t feel obligated to hold doors, or groceries, or give up their seats for women. They feel like they are being treated unfairly because they can’t wear things like makeup or wear heals to look better because it is seen as unmanly. But these men think that they are standing up to feminism because we female feminists are seen as man-haters.
But guys. This. Is. What. Feminism. Is.
Actions should not be gendered. You hold doors or give up your seat to be nice, not because you are a man. Products should not be gendered. If a man wears heals or makeup, that does not make him a woman.
Gender or sex cannot be relevant in political, social, or economical activities. Unless gender/sex is a direct factor in a situation, you should be treated as a human, not as the stereotypes or connotations associated with your gender. Feminism fights for this. If you believe that both genders/sexes should be treated equally in social, political, and economic situations, and that stereotypes or connotations should not be applicable based on gender/sex, then congrats. You are a feminist.