Understanding Feminism (Women: Your opinions)

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Holding the door is just a matter of logistics - it depends on who gets there first, and what angles they approach at; if you'd have to cross in front of someone in order to enter, it's easier and more polite to hold it for them regardless of their gender and yours.

Some of you have posted some really intelligent comments. The rest on here, is just typical corny irrelevant Aspie posts that make me want to vomit my lunch.

Feminism is a complex of victimhood.

This is the definition of feminism from the Miriam Webster dictionary:

Definition of FEMINISM
1
: the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes
2
: organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests

I agree with the first definition--and this is how I view feminism. Believing in equality between men and women. Period.

I'm a feminist. I love to cook--and have no problem cooking regularly. I would gladly accept responsibilities such as cooking, for oil changes, or other stuff I don't know how to do. However, I would never date any man who wasn't a feminist, nor will I ever stop being a feminist.

Why would I have a problem with believing that I'm equal to a man (believing that my vagina doesn't somehow demote me or raise me above a person who has a different set of sexual organs)?

Of course, there are branches of feminism that I disagree with, and there are branches that I agree with in theory. Just because people argue about HOW equality should be realized, doesn't mean that I am going to throw out the notion of being considered an equal human being (or really, it doesn't mean I'm going to accept the idea that I should be deemed unequal to half the population because of my sex).

I think some here may be mistakenly assuming that only those who describe themselves as feminist believe in equality. Use whatever words you wish to describe yourself, identify with whatever movement you please. But do not assume that everyone who finds fault with the feminist movement opposes gender equality.

Maybe it's just me, but I see equality as a human rights issue. Meaning, as per the Charter, everyeone has the right not be discriminated against on the basis of gender or sex.

Thinking of someone as a lesser human being because they are of the opposite sex or gender is discrimination.

To me, feminism was another backlash against a power construct (in this case, patriarchy). I dislike power constructs to start with - including but not limited to patriarchy. But feminism seems to have become a power construct of it's own along the way - and that is the inherent problem I see with it.

If people saw this as a human rights issue - which it essentially is - and that it was caused by one power construct that was ruling supreme to change, and another that has recently come into the picture, it might make things easier to sort out because much of the "personal gender war" part of it could be taken out of it - no point self identifying with a power construct when it hurts every human being, regardless of which power construct you support, is there?

As for the gender roles question. I think most HUMANS get socialized into roles--and most tend to uphold them, while still changing them a little.

I suppose it's probably more likely that people will have a problem with their role if it seems unfair, or if it is uncomfortable. For example--if it was a female gender role to go to college, get a well paying job, control the house and the finances, and make all the political decisions that affect society---then I imagine there would be less women struggling against it because of the privileges delivered by that set of roles.

If say, male gender roles dictated that men were not allowed to go to college, make any decisions outside of how the housekeeping is done, participate in any leadership roles, or own any property or finances, then I imagine that there would be more men getting uncomfortable with their gender roles--and I dare say, maybe even a wee bit "cattish."

Fortunately, thanks to feminism--women are legally considered equal in a lot of nations. Yay! That's why I will always be a feminist.