feminist or not

Would you consider yourself a feminist or not. By the type of discussion that goes on in this forum would you consider other members feminists? What does feminism mean to you? To me it means that you are a women fighting for equal rights of that of mean- you are always comparing yourself with the other sex. You may also find many issues biased when dealing with gender. What's your thought on this topic?

 

According to Wikipedia:

Feminism is a diverse, competing, and often opposing collection of social theories, political movements, and moral philosophies, largely motivated by or concerning the experiences of women. Most feminists are especially concerned with social, political, and economic inequality between men and women; some have argued that gendered and sexed identities, such as "man" and "woman," are socially constructed. Feminists differ over the sources of inequality, how to attain equality, and the extent to which gender and sexual identities should be questioned and critiqued. Thus, as with any ideology, political movement or philosophy, there is no single, universal form of feminism that represents all feminists.
Feminist political activists commonly campaign on issues such as reproductive rights (including but not limited to the right to choose a safe, legal abortion, access to contraception, and the availability of quality prenatal care), violence within a domestic partnership, maternity leave, equal pay, sexual harassment, street harassment, discrimination, and rape. Many feminists today argue that feminism is a grass-roots movement that seeks to cross boundaries based on social class, race, culture, and religion; is culturally specific and addresses issues relevant to the women of that society (for example female genital cutting in Africa or the glass ceiling in developed economies); and debate the extent to which certain issues, such as rape, incest, and mothering, are universal. Themes explored in feminism include patriarchy, stereotyping, objectification, sexual objectification, and oppression.

In this case, I think I am a feminist. Although, nowadays, feminism is almost a "dirty" word. Feminists are working to make sure women are equal to men and we get a fair chance at everything the world has to offer us. HOw is that wrong? Or dirty?

It's not...

 

equalist... we should be given equal opportunities regardless of gender, race, appearance etc. Should depend on skills, knowledge and experience

 

I would.

 

Hell no, I love having my door held open for me. I believe everyone should have equal rights but I also recognize there are limitations in each sex, physically and perhaps mentally. I don't believe I'm so weak I need my door held open for me but I certainly appreciate gestures of gentlemen. I'm sure I offended a few people as these discussions are generally heated, so be it.

 

seems to me that allowing a man to prove his courtesy and respect for you through methods he learned from his mother or father is in now way offensive. though i'm just a liable to hold a door open for a man out of general courtesy towards all people.

 

i AM a feminist in that i believe that women should be allowed choices and options available to men and be respected for them as men would.

 

Feminist, but in this day and age, most people are according to what was written back in the day

 

There's a lot to be said for good old-fashioned manners and I don't feel demeaned when someone (either gender) holds open a door for me or offers me a seat on a bus, that kind of thing. The only time I did feel demeaned was the bus seat scenario ... I was 20 at the time and a teenage lad offered me his seat, which I stubbornly refused, thinking "I must look terrible for him to think I need to sit down", but I was being self-conscious thinking that after a long hard day at work I must look A LOT older than my 20 years! But I did appreciate the politeness of the gesture though, even if I didn't show it!

 

I also agree with this, mutual respect in all things is the way to go.

(BTW ... sorry for making two posts on the same subject, but I wanted to quote both of you and I'm not sure if that's possible in the same post)

 

I'm a feminist. No person should be treated better/worst based on their gender. I will fight to my death to ensure that.

 

Just remember that Rush Limbaugh was the asshat that coined the term femi-nazi. To give the feminst movement a negative connotation.
Being a feminist does NOT mean hating men. It means you care about your civil rights, & the civil rights of others.

 

I have heard this feminism called the "we-can-do-anything" movement. And that's the way I think about myself as a feminist. It is 2006 and women have the right to vote, run for office, and have legal equality with men. I think that our job as feminists now is to make sure that women are using this equality. If we still think of men and women as being better suited for certain things, then it doesn't matter if we have legal equality. We need to have real equality in that all steriotypes of men and women are blown open and revealed to be as weak as they are. Women can do anything, and men can do anything. That is what I try to show as a feminist.

 

I am definitely a feminist. I believe women should be able to make as much money as men, I would like to live in a culture that didn't objectify women and excuse rapists and say that it was the woman's fault... I believe men and women have differences, we are obviously not the same, but we are all just as valuable as humans. I hate how "women's work" such as being a homemaker or a caregiver is considered a lower class of job and is not respected. If a women wants to take care of children, she should be as respected for doing that as for being a Senator. But women who do want to be a Senator should be able to and should be respected for that. It just bothers me how people look down on women for being too "feminine" I think "feminine" women should be honored and respected too.

Does anyone get what I am saying?

 

Yeah, it's hard work taking care of people.
Motherhood is a tough job. That's why I'm not doing it.

 

i believe there should be equality between the two genders. I believe that females can do anything males can. I appreciate that female rights have come so far (and honestly, in a relatively short period of time) and that things seem to still be progressing to some degree. I have been called a feminist, guess by the posted definition i am.

But i'm for equal rights in general- not just between males and females.

 

by annies or should i say wikipedia's definition then i am... i am also an equalist but that is what TRUE feminsim is really about anyways.

 

hunnie, i like having the door opened for me sometimes too. i love it when my husband opens my car door first... i think its sweet and romantic but that really has not much to do with true feminisum (caring about gender issues esp. relating to females)

 

Yup, I'm a feminist and totally agreeing with all the pro-feminist statements and sentiments previously noted.
Equalist is a good term in a way; men and woman are diffrent in certain respects but in a complimentary way, like yin and yang.
Still far as I can see womyn are [for the most part] fighting to be seen as equal to men. That and I am a womyn myself, so naturally will have that bias of sorts.

First inkling of my feminism was when I realised (ergo got pissed about) how the brownies* was grooming us to become housewives. I had too much intellect and self worth to be validiated by domesticity and upholding outdated stereotypes. So I quit and never looked back ... must have been about nine.

*sort of like girl scouts

 

I have no problem with anyone, man or womyn, opening a door for me. I do it for people, especially if they are weighted down by packages or a baby. Sometimes older men will really cautiously open a door for you, like they are afraid you might be offended, and yell at them, but they were raised with manners, so they have to do it. I am always kind to these older gentlemen and say Thank You, and let him open the door. They always look releived that they weren't yelled at or ignored, I guess.