Why We Should All Be Feminists | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

Why We Should All Be Feminists

Feminism is not what society perceives it as.

100
Why We Should All Be Feminists
http://s2.r29static.com

"We should all be feminists." -Maria Grazia Chiuri

March is the month of the woman. It is Women's History Month and includes the worldwide celebration of International Women's Day. In honor of women all around the globe, we need to acknowledge the meaning of feminism and women empowerment.

Feminism. That's the term women made up to mock men, right? Or is it that excuse women use to get their husbands to do things for them? It's basically something totally against the creation of men...right?

The biggest misconception about feminism is that people think it only applies to women. NO! Wrong, false, untrue, incorrect!

Even though it doesn't sound like it, feminism is about equality for both genders. It takes pride in the fact that females are not defined by the amount of makeup they wear, how big their butts are, or any other superficial factor like appearance. Feminism encourages the notion that women should be defined by their intelligence, skills, abilities, efforts, and every other thing that men are defined by. It preaches that women can be fierce while men can be sensitive, women can be the CEOs while men can be the assistants, women can construct buildings while men can design clothes, women can be athletes while men can be nurses, the list goes on and on of the opposite gender qualities. There is no limit because both genders are equal. That is feminism.

Now that you know what feminism really is, the real matter is:

Why should men be feminists?

Because a man is not just a man because he wears suits and ties instead of dresses or shaves his beard instead of plucking his eyebrows. He is a man because of the women that raised him, loved him, hated him, surrounded him, or even might have made eye contact with him (vice versa for women as well). Men and women affect and rely on each other, no matter how lightly or heavily the reliance may be. We are who we are because of the gender(s) opposite to us. We equally make up each other.

If you are a male and a feminist, it doesn't mean that you are "gay" or "girly." It makes you a more intelligent, classy, and respectful man for believing in the rights of both genders instead of your own. It displays strength of character and humility, something women admire (take notes gents). Men and/or women that do not believe in feminism either do not understand it, are too ignorant to attempt to understand it, or too arrogant about their own gender to support the other.

Men should be as involved in feminism as much as women are. After all, feminism is all about gender equality, so the support for each gender should reciprocate off of each other. There should be just as many male feminists as there are female feminists.

Whether you are a male or female, here are a few ways to be a Feminist:

1. Encourage each other as much as possible.

If your sister wants to become a doctor, don't tell her to become a nurse because it's "more of a woman's job." Don't discourage her for any reason related to her being a woman. Feminism is all about believing that women can do anything men can do, and men can do anything women can do. If she truly wants to be a doctor, trust her decision and uplift her aspirations as much as you can. A situation like this is similar to the issue of equal pay and voting rights for women. They all involve the question of whether women should be treated equally and the answer should always be yes!

Similarly, if your male cousin wants to become a cook instead of an engineer, don't discourage him. Follow him along the way. Sign him up for a local cooking class. Give him tips on how to make the perfect alfredo pasta. Even the smallest amount of positivity can go a long way!

2. Encourage your fellow men and women as much as possible.

As important as it is for men and women to lift each other up, fellow women and fellow men should also always have each other's backs. We are all in this together, fam.

If your male friend is more interested in singing in the talent show than trying out for the soccer team, don't call him "gay" or "girly." Help him choose a song to sing, or show your support by going to his talent show audition!

Likewise, your girl friend is more interested in joining the computer science club than modeling in the fashion show with you, don't spread rumors about her more masculine interests. Help her with her computer science coding projects! Display empathy and acceptance of her desires.

These are simple ways to break barriers and labels created by society of how men and women should act. Men should motivate other men, not bring them down.

3. Just don't resemble any of the actions or beliefs of our beloved women's rights activist, the golden (or should I say orange) ticket of America, Donald Trump.

(This POTUS clearly never exaggerates)

(I guarantee that you will get all the chicks with this clever new pick up line!)

4. Protect each other.

If you know that your female friend will be walking the streets at night alone, make sure she doesn't. Walk her to her destination, find someone to go with her, make sure she stays on main roads and away from small, quiet streets/alleys, or call her while she's walking. Make it a priority to protect her in any way. Concerning safety, a man's presence with a woman goes a much longer way than you may think.

Similarly, if your male friend is in a fight with the tough guys behind the dumpsters of your

high school, don't join in with the immature group of kids laughing and taking videos of the fight. Go help your friend out and break up the fight!

Simply being by a gender's side in any situation is a huge step to understanding and participating in feminism.


Overall, being a feminist doesn't mean that you hate the existence of men. It doesn't mean that you have to chant Beyonce songs in the streets or wear pink on Wednesdays (two Mean Girls references in one article; you're welcome). You just have to support women as equals to men. Whether it be your mom, sister, grandmother, girlfriend, dog/cat, whatever. You just need to believe that women and men deserve to have the same rights. Same pay, same voting, same opportunities, anything. I hope this article cleared your misunderstandings of feminism and/or inspired you, male or female, to become a feminist!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Health and Wellness

To The Cheerful Person On Their Rainy Days, You Are Valid

The world is not always sunshine and rainbows, and you do not have to be, either.

174
pug covered with blanket on bedspread
Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash

Ask friends of mine to name a quality about me, and one a lot them will point out the fact that I am almost always smiling. I like to laugh and smile -- not to quote Buddy the Elf in April, but smiling is my favorite! It is probably my favorite go-to expression. However, what a lot of people do not see is that I have my down days. I have days when smiling and laughing is a real struggle, or when I have so much on my plate that going out of my way to behappy takes more effort than I have stored in me. Be it a symptom of college and growing up or a facet of life, I cannot always be content.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

11 Struggles of Packing for College

It would be so much easier to just pay someone to do it for you

245
a room with boxes and a window

1. Figuring out when to start

Timing is key, you don’t want to start too early or too late.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

15 Times 'Parks and Recreation' Has Summed Up Your Life

Relatable moments from one of the best shows I have ever watched.

200
parks and rec
Liz Keysmash

Amidst my hectic college career, I always find time for one thing, even on the busiest weeks: Parks and Recreation. This show has made me laugh and has made me cry, but most of all I have related to this show more than I would like to admit.

Here are some "Parks and Rec" moments that relate to life struggles that just about everyone faces.

Keep Reading...Show less
April Ludgate
Facebook

April Ludgate from Parks and Recreation is notorious for her "I don't care" attitude. She speaks her mind without caring what anyone thinks of her. Fans love her because she isn't afraid to be herself. April can seem cold and negative, but she's really just fearless and strong-minded. And despite her sometimes harsh words, April truly cares about the people she's closest to. These are all reasons she is the epitome of a college student. April complains whenever she has to do any kind of work, but ends up doing the work anyway. April Ludgate is the ultimate college student spirit animal.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

11 Ways To Live The Best Life You Can

Life is full of twists and turns, but you have to keep going.

41
girl bike

Life is all about twist and turns, sideways and which ways. Nothing is permanent, so we should take risks, and chase our dreams. We are taught at a young age many lessons that will follow us into adulthood. What we aren't taught is how to feel, and how we handle those emotions. We just have to figure them out ourselves, and that's not fun. In my 21 years of living, I have come to know that way too many people can't handle emotions, or the fact that not everyone is dead inside like them. When you're like me, and you have zero control over your emotions, it's hard to feel comfortable around people who aren't so in touch with themselves. As much as I would like to feel nothing at times, I've accepted who I am and the fact that I can cry over practically nothing. So, there are some things in life that you just have to do.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments