Feminism is all about equality between men and women. Feminism is not the desire for women to be more powerful than men. Throughout history, it has been seen that women have been denied equal rights and opportunities which is why the feminist movement emerged – to empower women and raise awareness about it so that women can exercise equal powers and rights too.
But unfortunately, the concept of feminism has been misconceived by many, and a lot of stereotypes have been created around it.
#1. Feminists hate men
NO! That is not even remotely what feminism promotes. Feminists are all about gender equality and have nothing to do with hating men. The entire purpose of feminism is to remove gender-bias from all platforms and aspects of life and hence, the misconception of feminists hating men would only contradict it. All feminists want a world of equal rights and opportunities where they can live as freely as men.
#2. Feminists are unattractive and are not feminine
The fundamentals of feminism are to give women choices, and the free will to choose what they feel is best for them. It’s really wrong to think that women who are feminists don’t like to be feminine and dress and act like wannabe dudes. Being feminine or tomboyish is entirely a woman’s personal choice, and she can choose to be whichever, which is the whole point of feminism.
#3. Feminists are angry bra-burners
This stereotype is indeed hilarious. Bra-burning and promoting no make-up looks has become the representation of feminists. But again, feminism is about giving women a choice. Dressing up should be a choice, not an obligation. No individual should be demanded to dress a certain way and be a certain way, whether men or women.
#4. All women are career-driven women who do not want to get married and do not support stay-at-home mothers
This is not true as getting married or not is entirely an individual’s own life decisions and has nothing to do with them being feminists or not. What feminists are against is the idea of society considering marriage as the only ultimate good thing for women and discriminating and alienating those who choose not to marry or are divorced. A woman should be free to decide how to lead her life, whether it involves getting married and having kids, focusing on her career or both.
#5. Men can’t be feminists
Yet another ridiculous concept. A feminist is anybody who thinks women deserve to be treated equally and respectfully by society for whatever choices they make. Feminism is about raising a voice against the violence, rape, physical and sexual abuse, gender bias in workplaces, social stereotypes that a lot of women face on a day to day basis. And that should not be just a woman’s concern. If there are men who are empathic and concerned about these issues and choose to talk about it and raise awareness about it, then they are feminists too. Feminism is not just liberating women from the stereotypes of the society but also liberating the men from the toxic masculinity of the society and allowing them to be vulnerable and empathetic as well.
