What feminism myths do you believe in? Before anything else, let’s first see what Feminism means. We need to clear all the misconceptions and break those glass ceilings people so proudly hold. Feminism in the simplest term means gender equality, that is equality between the two sexes based on several aspects in terms of human rights.
From the start of civilization, it was mostly the reign of Patriarchal society with few exceptions. A Patriarchal society, where men are considered superior to females, and females are not given equal rights as compared to men. Though the gender gap is reducing with every passing decade, a huge gap still exists. This gap should be minimized for a country to grow.
The Top 10 Feminism Myths You May Have Accepted as True
Feminism could be interpreted in several ways, but some notions about feminists are a big NO. The concept has long been scrutinized in a negative light, but that is not all there is to feminism and feminists. Contrary to the popular belief that feminists encourage divorce, one night stands or maybe witchcraft (some people actually believe that) they stand for gender equality.
Here are 10 myths about feminists:
- Feminism Myths: Feminists are cruel, heartless people who have no time for love.
Firstly, Feminists are human beings too, okay? This above statement is absolutely a sham. Women who are Feminists, want to experience love as much as others. The only difference is that feminists look at it in a more equalitarian way. The effort and compromises from each side are equal, is what they believe in. For instance, feminists think that even girls can propose first rather than the guy always doing it, sharing or splitting any expense bill should be done or decision-making in the relationship should be mutual. Labelling feminists as cruel and heartless is just so misogynistic and dumb to say. Feminists are regular people, to whom love is important, maybe even at the top of their priority list. Do not let their strong personalities scare you!
- Feminism Myths: Feminists demand more opportunities than men.
- A big NO to this statement because this includes a lot of scope for misunderstanding too. This notion has been on the mind of every man, but it is a baseless accusation. In today’s world where every country is growing, humanity should not be left out. For ages, females have been thrown away under the shadows of men leading to a prolonged injustice to one half of the population. That is why women empowerment is so important, and hence Feminism is a fight for equal rights to women. It is a fight for a just society for women too. Feminism does not mean getting ahead of the other gender or using every opportunity to their discretion. It simply means the demand for equality. Gender equality is the right of every human being on this planet, and men being at par with women should not sting at all.
- Feminism Myths: Feminists look down upon marriage.
- Yes, maybe marriage that is a social contract or serves as a business deal between two families is not agreeable. But a marriage where there is mutual respect for each other’s ambition and freedom is always acceptable. Both love and marriage are as important to feminists as life itself. Many Feminists also disagree and avoid marriage rituals, and go for just court marriages. Frankly speaking, it is the couple’s choice, not other people’s or their family’s, so they should not interfere in their decisions. Many Feminists also have a different perspective on when to get married. Mostly they prefer to marry after they set their careers soaring high in the sky. Hence, such baseless statements make no sense.
- Feminism Myths: They hate having children.
- God bless those, who think like this! What has equality got to do with the love for having children? The decision to have children is to be decided by the couple. Even if a couple has kids, then both the mother and father take equal responsibility for the child/children. Now many workplaces have a provision for both the parents to get paid leave for the first few months after they have children. That is Feminism and it is not at all absurd. Feminists have long fought for access to reproductive health care centres and various other medications. Moreover, they would teach their children to stand up against inequality. Feminist women and men nurture their children in a way that they believe in equality rather than in patriarchy. Also, the decision of abortion is up to the mother. As the saying goes “No Vagina, No Opinions”.
- Feminism Myths: Feminists promote matriarchy.
- Nobody understands more than women, what patriarchy has done to society. Therefore feminists DO NOT want to establish matriarchy as a state order, which would just be a replacement to an existing form of domination. They do not want to be ruled or rule. Equality is the only agenda.
- Feminism Myths: Feminists are lesbians.
- Feminists hate men, are aggressive and like to be independent so they must be lesbians. Such preconceived notions about feminists have been doing the rounds for decades now. Feminists, like everybody else, can like both men and women. Feminism has nothing to do with sexuality or sexual attractions. Period!
- Feminism Myths: Men cannot be feminists.
- What is with this speculation? Of course, a man can fight for the rights of women! We have many Feminist men around us, who believe in the idea of Feminism and stand beside this cause. Luckily, not the entire male population is sexist, misogynist and male chauvinist. These noblemen walk beside women bearing the torchlight in this fight. Feminist men do not look down upon women who are at power or are better than them. So do not dare demean such brave and wise men who walk hands in hands with Feminist women.
- Feminism Myths: They never bow down.
- Why wouldn’t they? If a person is at fault and has to apologize, she/he will. Career driven women are not necessarily egoists too. Yes, indeed it is true that they would bow down when necessary. Feminism is a moral code but it doesn’t defy the law. Most importantly, which people misinterpret is that Feminists will not bow down before Patriarchy, male chauvinists and misogynists. Feminists will fight until the end of the time if required.
- Feminism Myths: Feminists are not feminine.
- If a Feminist woman’s approach to life is independent, that does not justify labelling her aloofness. Demanding one’s rights does not make one, a man. Women, like men, can be equally career-driven, focused and strong, yet emotional. Just peek into their hearts, and you will know that they want to be cherished and respected for the woman in them. Also, Feminist men are not necessarily feminine or gay. It is inhuman and stupid to attach sexuality with Feminism.
- Feminism Myths: All women are feminists.
- Sadly, I would have to say no. Not all women support feminists. Most women see gender equality and feminism as two opposite sides of the coin. Nonetheless, it is a sheer lack of knowledge. They mistake Feminism for Matriarchy. “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing”. This is also true that in today’s world, many people, rather many women still do not know what Feminism stands for and chooses to be on the neutral side.
- Feminism has been quite a hot topic for quite a while now. So if you claim yourself to be a Feminist, be careful of being a hypocrite. Instead, if you are one, be true to this label. There are several other myths and notions about what women can or cannot do. Let’s make things clear. Women can smoke or drink like men. Women can choose career over the family like men. The decision of getting married or having kids entirely depends on the individual and should not be influenced by society. The son of the family is equally responsible for his parents like the daughter. What to wear, where not to go, when not to go, what not to say, how to talk, what to not pursue, what to not play and how to sit should not be dictated and imposed upon by patriarchy. Women are capable of leading a company or a country just as a man can. The world needs to stop imposing so many demands on women.
- Let’s not dwell on picking up fights and feeding on discrimination and sexism. Let’s all pledge to make this world a better place to live in, for everyone despite gender, race, creed, colour, sexual orientation, gender expression, weight, height, age, marital status or physical and mental ability.
- So how many of you are Feminists? How many of these feminism myths did you believe? Do let us know below.
Source: https://www.icytales.com/10-myths-about-feminists-debunked/
