How Do You Define "Feminism"?
How Do You Define "Feminism"?
#1How Do You Define "Feminism"?
Posted: 2/24/07 at 9:36amI'm working on a documentary project about modern-day feminism in America and I'm trying to get some good quotes as to people's definitions of the word "feminism." So, please, don't look at a dictionary or anything--in your own words, what does "feminism" mean to you?
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#2re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/24/07 at 10:02amFeminism is the radical belief that men & women are equals.
#2re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/24/07 at 10:42am
I like the American Heritage Dictionary definition
Belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.
The movement organized around this belief.
touchmeinthemorning
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/3/04
#3re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/24/07 at 12:50pm
Feminism, according the bell hooks, is the "struggle to end sexist oppression"
It is wider than issues only of female equality. It covers gay issues, masculinity issues, and many other issues that fall into the idea of sexism.
keen on kean
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/1/06
#4re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/24/07 at 3:41pmTouch - I guess I don't agree with your enlarging the term. Feminism, as first expressly proposed in the 1970's, was specifically a woman's movement to encourage women to assert their rights to be treated as equals of men, personally, sexually and professionally. The feminist movement is very sympathetic to all groups fighting oppression but as an historical "thing" it started as a woman/man thing.
#5re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/24/07 at 3:46pmif we're looking at how feminism is applied in the real world... not to be controversial, but in my experience, feminists are women who believe they are inherently superior to men
#7re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/24/07 at 4:29pm
"feminists are women who believe they are inherently superior to men"
It is that narrow-minded, heteronormative, sexist mentality that keeps the sexist oppression that bell hooks refers to going on in the U.S.
I believe feminism is a politically-charged term that refuses to conform with the inferior place the system has inflicted on women because of their sex and gender.
#8re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/24/07 at 5:06pm
Feminism is the radical notion that women are human beings.
-Cheris Kramerae.
I'm a feminist, loud and proud.
#9re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/24/07 at 5:14pm
These are all really great responses. If you don't mind, would you answer a couple more questions?
How do you feel about feminism?
Would you call ourself a feminist?
What qualities do you think a feminist has?
Do you believe that men and women are currently equall in our society?
Thanks!
#10re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/24/07 at 5:40pm
I was asked this in school and I believe I said something along the lines of the struggle for advancement in women's rights and gender equality.
...Or in your case, putting down other women for what they wear because of personal insecurities.
WalkOn
Broadway Star Joined: 8/7/06
#11re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/24/07 at 5:43pm
True Story:
I had an adult male neighbor who had heard that another neighbor was a feminist. He asked me:
"Is that like a lesbian?"
I just stood there with a blank look on my face.
#12re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/24/07 at 5:54pmdirty rotten guy: Was that really necessary? I guess whenever someone insults your overpriced apparel, you're so deeply offended that you remember it for months on end. Sad.
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia
#13how do you spell 'feminism'? r-o-l-a-i-d-s. ahhhhhhhhh.
Posted: 2/24/07 at 6:07pm
comfortable shoes.
i don't.
no.
fish.
no, they still get multiple orgasms.
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pray to st. jude
i'm a sonic reducer
he was the gimmicky sort
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#14re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/24/07 at 6:18pm
Feminism is the equality of men and women (without regard to gender) in all things political, economical, and social.
As my grandmother was wont to say: "To be a feminist is to be a humanist."
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia
RadiGal2
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/8/07
#15re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/24/07 at 6:25pm
Define feminism: Actively working to free all people from the limitation set by the established oppressive binary system man/woman masculine/feminine of patriarchy.
How do you feel about feminism? Compelled to play my part in the process.
Would you call ourself a feminist? Is the Pope Catholic?
What qualities do you think a feminist has? Human.
#16re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/24/07 at 7:09pm
How do you feel about feminism? I think mostly it's sad that people think it's "over" or a thing of the past. Feminism is the social philosophy that I respect the most and though it can be flawed (many feminists have been known to be homophobic towards lesbians and racist towards women of color), it's pivotal to US politics and society.
Would you call yourself a feminist? Yes
What qualities do you think a feminist has? Mostly the personality strength required to deal with a constant struggle.
Do you believe that men and women are currently equall in our society? No.
keen on kean
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/1/06
#17re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/24/07 at 8:11pm
How do I feel about feminism? As a woman growing up in the 1950's, you have no idea how much society needed the feminist movement, to get beyond defining people by using any one characteristic as a label. Feminism gave women options they didn't know they had. Any young person who feels that feminism is "dead" or "irrelevant" should talk to his or her mother (or grandmother) and find out how much we take for granted that happened with the rise of feminism.
I call myself a feminist.
But that can just be a label, too - it is only part of what I believe in. But an important part.
Men and women are not, and will never be equal because for most people equality means being identical. And I say, vive la difference.
DG
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/2/05
#18re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/24/07 at 9:15pm
"Men and women are not, and will never be equal because for most people equality means being identical. And I say, vive la difference."
Brava, Keen.
RadiGal2
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/8/07
#19re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/25/07 at 12:48am
Ah, tis true...I reflect upon the wisdom of Meg in Wrinkle in Time when faced with uniformity and enforced conformity for the sake of IT on Camazotz:
'like and equal are not the same thing.'
#20re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/25/07 at 3:33am
How do you feel about feminism?
I feel that feminism is a very important concept that has gotten a bad rap from close-minded individuals.
Would you call ourself a feminist?
Absolutely.
What qualities do you think a feminist has?
I think that most feminists are open-minded, fair people who are not afraid to point out inequality in our society.
Do you believe that men and women are currently equal in our society?
Not yet, but we're getting there. Until we have equal pay for equal work, complete legal control over our bodies, more accessible child care options, etc, we will still be considered inferior to men.
#21re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/25/07 at 9:17amI've tried not to interrupt to put my two cents in but I wold just like to say that I'm really pleased to see that so many of you see feminism in a possitive light. WHen I ased these questions to a lot of teenagers they mostly had negative, stereotypical things to say like "Bra burning lesbians" and tha tkind of stuff. I'm glad that there are people out there that get it in a more mature light.
#22re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/25/07 at 1:57pm
How do you feel about feminism?
It's a bit of a tainted word in today's society. People equate feminism with very radical things. I think it imperative that we have people standing up against inequality, even if you don't believe that there's any difference in the way men and women are treated, it is imperative that we at least reflect on the differences between the genders and how they're treated.
Would you call ourself a feminist?
Yes, but with hesitation and explanation, I am my school's feminist poster girl and I try and explain the concept to people in a good light.
What qualities do you think a feminist has?
Understanding and and open mind.
Do you believe that men and women are currently equall in our society?
No.
Oh, and anyone who is interested in feminism, I would suggest Bitch magazine and Bust magazine. Just so long as you're not reading either one blindly (I disagree with a lot of the things that are in Bitch, but it's still a great magazine.)
misschung
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/18/07
#23re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/25/07 at 3:13pm
Bust magazine is great, I used to get that all the time.
I would definetly consider myself a feminist. To me, it means that men and woman are equal and should have equal rights and opportunities. Mostly, its about women's having a choice as to how they want to lead their life.
There's so many misconceptions about the term that this thread could go on endlessly!
Plum
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
#24re: How Do You Define 'Feminism'?
Posted: 2/25/07 at 3:15pmGender egalitarianism. Sexism is as pernicious to men as it is to women; they just don't realize it.
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