Saying the word ‘feminism’ alone tends to evoke different reactions depending on who you’re talking to. Speak to someone who still cracks jokes like “why aren’t you in the kitchen” (and not in an ironic way) and their lips will probably curl at the word. They’re thinking that you’re about to rip off your bra, throw fire at them and all these other angry women are suddenly going to pop up, ready to rumble a revolution (as if the word itself could make all of those things happen).
Now speak to someone a little more woke, and you may actually have a decent conversation. Where are the inequalities still? Why does every baby gender reveal that pops up on my social media still shine bright baby blue for boys and a blush pink for girls anyway?
Speak to an actual feminist, and you’ll have some really interesting conversations. Pro-tip: They’re probably going to ask you which kind of feminism you’re referring to because there are levels to this game. Post-feminism or neo-feminism? For now, let’s stick to the basics.
In my opinion, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Ashleigh Nefdt, the biggest problem with feminism at large is that most people don’t really understand what the broader school of thought is about, and people get things twisted very easily. I read an article published by the BBC that said that less people call themselves feminists. It figures, I cynically thought – because a lot of people think it’s outdated.
Sure, we’ve progressed in society quite healthily, but not nearly completely. Just think of #MeToo to get the gears churning toward why we still need feminism. Since it happens to be Women’s Month, there’s never a bad time to go sleuth on some debunking endeavours. So, I’m going to crack down on a few myths about feminism so that the next time it comes up in conversation, you might know more than you did yesterday. I reiterate: it’s Women’s Month, so this might be a handy pack of knowledge to carry in your back pocket.
What is feminism in its broadest sense?
Feminism, or feminist theory is a social theory. There are tons of sub-theories and side theories and star-shaped theories because thinking never really ends. In short, feminism is the overall belief in the social-political and economic equality of the sexes.
Myth: Feminism strives for female superiority
No. In terms of broad feminist theory, the above thinking quite literally opposes its definition. The reason people liken feminism to male-bashing comes from some more radical feminists who honestly had to do some powerhouse things back in the day, and even now. However, radicals are a group of people, not the entire theory on its own. Think of it like this: we’re playing 30 Seconds. We know what the rules of the game are, but there’s that one friend who has a bone to pick with the rest (for personal reasons) and takes things to the extreme, throwing the board off the table because you went over the sand timer limit. Now, does that experience define 30 seconds, or how your friend played it? The latter. Feminism and how people embrace it works similarly.
But what about statements like smash the patriarchy? We’re talking about the ideals that keep female equality stagnant.
Feminists reject femininity
A myth. As Royal Examiner puts it: there’s more than one way to be a feminist. You can strut down the streets in sky-high heels and be a feminist. You can be someone who would only use high heels as a weapon and still be a feminist. You could be a man who thinks those same sky-high heels looks kind of painful to walk in and still be a feminist. Feminism has a bit of a reputation that feminists are all about going against everything classically femme. This isn’t the case – it just goes back to the earlier waves of feminism, where ladies weren’t taken seriously unless they adapted to masculine energy.
Feminism is only for girls
Again, no. Feminism is not a gender. Even if it were, it still wouldn’t apply to girls only. Many men in your life might be taking feminist action without even realising it. I once saw a little boy at the beach give his boogie board to a younger girl while all the other boys were ignoring her. That little act is opportunity. I don’t think that the young buck had any idea what he was doing was feminist-esque. Anyone can be a feminist.
Overall, feminism is about bringing the problems in society to light. Not everyone is saying men need to lie in a trash can of sorrow. What they’re saying is: if there is a wound in society, as if it were on a body, we’d focus on giving a little extra care to the wound so that it can be as healthy as the whole body. We give extra attention to societal injustices, like female inequality, so that society in short, can be healthier.
Picture: Pinterest/ @cosmetiqueideals.