By Anam Seraj
Millennials of the 21st century have different meanings when it comes to the word ‘Feminism’.
For instance, you would come across boys calling it a ‘woman’s drama’ or you may come across girls calling it a ‘We hate men!’ movement. Many even consider it as ‘Vaginal Supremecy’, but the dictionary defines feminism as the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.
Feminism, in all its true senses, is the establishment of an Egalitarian Society. It is merely a humble yet strong plea of a woman to have equal Human Rights; like the ones enjoyed by a rich MAN, a poor MAN, an old MAN, a young MAN after facing discrimination for ages.
Feminism found its essence as late as in the 1820s during the Women’s Suffrage Movement for the Right to vote, though the discrimination persisted since times unknown.
GENERALISING FEMINISM
You have seen that the word feminism is distorted to fit anywhere and everywhere. Here are two ideologies often thought to be feminism.
SEXISM
When a man generalizes a woman, confining her to the predefined norms of what she is and she cannot be; he is a sexist. When a woman generalizes a man, confining him to the stereotypical definitions of gender; she is a sexist too.
MISANDRY
While feminism demands equality, misandry is the dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against men (i.e the male sex). So those who are a part of ‘We hate men!’ movement are not feminists, they are misandrists.
When a woman generalizes a man, thinking that every man is a rapist or wants her body and in turn develops a tendency of dislike or contempt for the entire male race; she is perhaps the victim of Misandry.
Getting into the psychological aspects of this, when a man, let’s say is a sexist or misogynist, it is because of the century-old inherited ‘tradition’ of thinking that the opposite sex is inferior.
It is further followed by the GENERAL psychological tendency of men dreaming to become a ‘saviour’.
Similarly, when a woman develops misandrist tendencies, she is psychologically trapped in a mindset where she has, through personal previous experiences seen a man’s predatory tendencies.
In defence of the men, there are perhaps ‘pseudo feminists’ in our society that we might find holding a placard of “All Men are dogs!” claiming their name to fame in the garb of feminism.
Although it is quite likely that these women are misandrists rather than feminists. So, I do know that you boys might be afraid of a woman claiming to be a feminist but it might be possible of her being a misandrist. Or otherwise, maybe you’re just perpetually afraid of a strong opinionated woman.
So, before you dilute the essence of a strong movement by hating it for something it is not, know what you really need to hate. The term is MISANDRY boys! Thank me later.
Read More: If A Girl Slaps A Boy, Should He Slap Her Back, In Times Of Feminism?
You see, men and women STOP GENERALISING!
GROUND REALITY OF GENDER DISCRIMINATION
Among the feminist discussions, the ground reality of India is the fact that we still have female infanticide in the country.
There are young girls in rural areas forced into child marriage or worst sold off for money.
There is honor killing as well as women being burnt alive in dowry cases.
In a basic level situation like that the question is simple:
DO WE HAVE THE FEMINISM WE NEED?
While social media debates and misandry are taking over the essence of feminism, there are girls in rural India that probably need to know that something like feminism even exists.
The woman who needs to be aware of a movement like this is probably jailed in her own house, uneducated and unaware of any social media discussion of ‘Free the nipple!’.
I am not trying to dilute feminism by stating what’s important or what isn’t. The idea is to prioritize the issues according to the current needs of the country. The idea is to take the first basic step as a country to ultimately establish equal grounds.
In a country where patriarchy runs in the veins of the people, Feminism is our way out.
For this, we need the kind of feminism that is more centric to the issues that concern the country. The kind of feminism that reaches out far and wide to every section of society. The kind of feminism that doesn’t support sexism against the sexists.
ARE THE WOMEN REALLY UNITED?
This is the kind of question that every woman could be guilty of. Have you, as a woman, given sexist remarks to another woman or womanhood in general? Have you demeaned a woman in front of a man, thinking that you belong to a different kind? The change emanates from within.
Tip: Ladies if you want to get rid of a creep claiming to be in love with you? Tell him you’re a feminist. They hate that shit!
Keyword: creep. I know #NotAllMen boys.
Image Credits: Google Images
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When feminists use terms like “Girl Power”, “The Future is Female”, etc. they are not being misandrists. These and all the other “man — insert words”, are men expected to tolerate these provocative phrases? Feminists say sure a boy can cry, but what is he supposed to make of a coffee cup labeled “Male Tears”? That is why I don’t believe it when feminists say feminism is good for women, AND MEN. What am I supposed make of “The Future is Female”? That does not sound like an egalitarian society that feminists preach about. Let’s get to the root of the matter. Feminism is about settling scores and taking revenge on the male sex for all the injustices that men (supposedltv) have subjected women to for millenia. Femenism phase one is convincing men and even naivee women that its all about “equality”. Phase two is disenfranchising men by denying them the vote. Phase three is denying all men any civil rights at all. Only time will tell if my predictions are accurate. I’m not willing to risk the future of my sons and grandsons to find out.