Lately, incorrect notions about feminism seem to be going around quite a bit. I don’t know how or why it happened, but the word “feminism” has been given a negative connotation- it’s somehow become synonymous to “man-hating”. It makes men uncomfortable, if not intimidated or disgusted, and it makes women hesitant to use it. But it shouldn’t be that way. Feminists aren’t beating men to the ground or stealing every man’s job or trying to run the world. In fact, all we’re doing is working against stereotypes and old traditions that label us as “weak” and “incapable”. We’re fighting so that women and men can stand on the same ground.
My friend once asked, “Why are feminists making everything such a big deal? I’m a girl and I don’t feel oppressed or mistreated. Aren’t men and women already equal?” Now, this is the product of ignorance. Don’t get me wrong, she’s my friend and I love her, but thoughts like this can drive me crazy sometimes, because the answer is a big huge NO. NO, men and women are not already equal. And NO, just because you don’t feel oppressed, does not mean other women are not. My friends and I, we’re lucky because we are part of the small percentage of women who are able to receive proper education and live in a mostly non-discriminating society. But still, sexism exists. It may not be very noticeable, but it’s there, weaved into our daily lives.
Sexism is when women are expected to do all the cooking and house chores because “men aren’t as good at it” and “it’s the wife’s job”. It’s not. We can’t just generalize and say that all men can’t cook and all women are good at doing chores; it depends on the individual. Sexism is when a guy is called a “girl” or “the p- word” for displaying emotion or fear. What’s wrong with crying or feeling scared? Is it weak? No it’s human nature. Does it have anything to do with being a girl? No it doesn’t. Sexism is when a woman is raped and the first question asked is “what was she wearing?” Instead of telling the girl how to dress, tell the man that rape is not okay no matter under what circumstances. If he’s strong enough to force a woman into sex, he’s definitely strong enough to control himself. Sexism is when a girl, somewhere in the world, is being denied of her rights to education because of her gender. Sexism is when a boy who sleeps with many girls is praised by his friends but a girl who does the same is labeled “slut”, “hoe”, “bitch”.
But sexism is not solely men’s fault. Women participate in all these things too, and some even have the belief inscribed into their minds that they are the weaker one. And that’s why we need to educate people and raise awareness. Eliminating sexism is not something that can be done only by women or men, it’s something that everyone has to take part in.
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