[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Chaos

I'm not too sure tbh. There is so so much stupid **** posted on the internet these days by so called 'feminists'. These people make it their absolute mission to prove how awful men are, how men are the main problem in the world and how much better the world would be without them, etc, etc. At first I thought that most 'feminists' were like this, but I've started to realise that there are actually sane ones out there.

I believe in equality, but I also understand that men and women are different. I believe in equal pay, but I also believe that whoever does a better job should be paid more. Gender is irrelevant in that.

I kind of feel like there's not much to be bothered about in this country. Women are very very lucky to live here. Anyone is. I feel like feminism is much more needed in other places of the world. Places where women arent even allowed to drive, for example.

It's something I care about and hope to learn about more over the years. I feel like when you're passionate about something, you need to experience it on your own. I've never had something happen to me where I've thought, 'thIS IS WHY WE NEED FEMINISM!!!1'. Maybe I'm just lucky. But I refuse to see that where we live is that awful.

/sorryforthelongasspost

tl/dr: I'm unsure because of what I've seen. Want to experience more before having a say

I agree with this and would tend to stay out of discussions about it, and therefore I would not generally identify myself with the 'feminist' tag because it often implies a level of political activism over women's rights that I don't engage in

[Smithy]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I agree with this and would tend to stay out of discussions about it, and therefore I would not generally identify myself with the 'feminist' tag because it often implies a level of political activism over women's rights that I don't engage in

not necessarily, if you believe in complete equality for the sexes, then it's as simple as that

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Smithy

not necessarily, if you believe in complete equality for the sexes, then it's as simple as that

Why would complete equality be called feminism? The immediate implication is that there are currently no disadvantages to being male. The term itself is unequal.

[Niall]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Why would complete equality be called feminism? The immediate implication is that there are currently no disadvantages to being male. The term itself is unequal.

It's not unequal because historically, all the oppression and inequality has mostly been placed upon women. Even today men hold a position in society far more steeped in power and prestige than women do (you need only look at top earning salaries, how rape is unfortunately still at epidemic levels through society to see that).

The hugely disproportionate advantage men have is primarily why I've understood it to be called feminism. Feminism as a movement campaigns for the equality of both men and women, sure, but mostly it's dedicated to unpicking the patriarchal leanings of human society which are so very poisonous. Hence the name 'feminism'. Or at least that's what I think.

[DemolitionRed]

I'm a feminist. That doesn't mean I believe all men are potential rapists, it doesn't mean I'm superior to man in any way; it doesn't mean I'm a woman who preaches that we must stand by our ‘sisters’. It simply means

I'm neither proud or ashamed to be a woman, I’m just happy to a be a human who has choices.

ED to say, any woman or man for that matter who agrees with my bolded bit is also a feminist.

[Niall]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I agree with this and would tend to stay out of discussions about it, and therefore I would not generally identify myself with the 'feminist' tag because it often implies a level of political activism over women's rights that I don't engage in

As Smithy said, your level of immersion within feminist movements decides on how politicised you become. If you don't want to get into gender based arguments and discussions, then that's an entirely separate thing to being a feminist. Though it may help the cause of feminism, being a feminist doesn't carry with it a responsibility to engage in its discourse.

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Smithy

not necessarily, if you believe in complete equality for the sexes, then it's as simple as that

Originally Posted by Niall

As Smithy said, your level of immersion join feminist movements decides on how politicised you become. If you don't want to get into gender based arguments and discussions, then that's an entirely separate thing to being a feminist. Though it may help the cause of feminism, being a feminist doesn't carry with it a responsibility to engage in its discourse.

Sure of course the fundamental principles of 'feminism' are all well and fine but it is a very broad church with a lot of infighting, disagreements etc. and the tag often carries very political connotations that I'd rather not associate myself with

[sassysocks]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I agree with this and would tend to stay out of discussions about it, and therefore I would not generally identify myself with the 'feminist' tag because it often implies a level of political activism over women's rights that I don't engage in

Yes it implies it - it doesn't make it true.

And by allowing such 'implication' to control your actions you simply give power to those that imply it for their own ends - which is usually weak controlling men who need to see women as second-class or brainless women either desperate for male attention or dumb enough to buy it.