What exactly is feminism?
88615
belief in women’s rights: belief in the need to secure, or a commitment to securing, rights and opportunities for women equal to those of men
656162
because feminism says doing what men do is better than doing what women do.\n\nthis sexism must stop. the tasks of the female role, such as raising the kids and being a homemaker, are just as honourable, useful and downright important as financially supporting the family.\n\ni agree that Western women, at the moment, have less power than men because the church and our society's institutions are so patriarchal. this is because of the church, which, as detailed in the da vinci code, has targeted women - trying to banish the sacred feminine and the goddess from legitimate spiritual experience. the best thing therefore, is to return the sacred feminine and the goddess to society, and particularly women. then they will feel equally powerful, just like men feel powerful having the god and masculinity celebrated as being good in society. \n\nonce this has been done, perhaps western women will feel more willing to engage in their normal roles, instead of trying to do what men do - which are the only respected ones. i can actually think of no more important a task really, these days, than raising fine children though. i think having both parents work and sending the kids off to daycare is not the best way to go about this. the best way is to have either the mother or the father stay home. i think the mother would be the best, as mothers are better generally at raising the kids and caring for the home and maintaining social networks. men are better at going out and doing dangerous and stressful work, or boring, grinding routine work (however you want to put it both are valid) to make sure there is 'bread on the table' (well, the resources to get it/make it at least... the mother puts the bread on the table literally lol, although my dad did make a fantastic loaf of bread... i'm by no means a fundamentalist when it comes to gender roles, as some other answerers make you out to be.)\n\ni really encourage your honesty about the way you were brought up to look at what men and women are supposed to do. all too often we are afraid to raise this point. there is an identical question about men. however, no masculist movement has gone and made men feel valuable only if they do what women do. the prevailing belief in society is, still, unfortunately, that it is shameful for a man to appear like a woman (physically and by doing what women do, like nursing/homemaking).\n\nfor inspiration about this, look at http://www.glennsacks.com he is a major men's activist in america. he is a househusband. i know, it's not what he's supposed to do as a man, but, as some other answerers have said, it's what he and his wife have worked out is best, and best for her (not to mention the kids.) \n\nbasically though, i admire you for having the guts to ask this most fundamental of questions - 'Why isn't the world like it is supposed to be?'\n\nWell done for not being guilty at being disappointed that the world isn't as you expected it to be, based on how you were brought up, and asking a question about it.
267237
I think you are on the money with over-compensation.  \nIt's kind of like a teenager that grew up with overly strict parents then goes to college and parties constantly.  It used to be "I can be successful and own my sexuality." But "Owning one's sexuality" has turned so far around that some (mostly young) women don't really own it anymore.\nThe Feminist movement has not taken a step backwards, we're still here going strong and making steps everyday, it's just a little sidetracked at this time.
1143253
I've even seen feminists walk side by side with women in Burka to gain more rights ???\n\nThis world is in chaos... Those who fight for freedom and liberties sleep with those who wish to take them away from others by their Theocratic ideologies.
224504
Good woman's book, if you can't get your head around the fact that men & women are different.\n"Men are from Mars, women from Venus." Same stuff.\nBurn your bra & get on with life. We only pass this way once... Enjoy it!!
500777
Clearly it seems that you do not believe that men and women are equal.  When feminists suggest that men and women are equal, I understand it to mean that men and women should have equal rights in society regardless of their sex.\n\nRape is the process of a person taking another's freedom and rights, subjugating them completely and humiliating them, all without their consent.  This is usually done by a man to a woman or a man to another man through the use of sexuality.  Rape degrades the sex act from the beautiful and sacred thing it is, to a tool for the evil of humiliation.  It is possible for a woman to rape a man.  Arousal does not amount to consent.  But this is an entirely separate issue from the equality of men and women in society.  \n\nIf a woman were to rape a man, that does not imply that she is equal to or better than that man or any other man.  If a man rapes a woman, that does not make him somehow better than either the woman he raped or any other woman.  Rapists are troubled people with control issues. \n\nTo conclude, equality can and should exist alongside diversity and difference.  Rape is an evil crime that has no business getting mixed up in the feminist debate.
289680
No need to get prejudiced against guys, and no need to generalize.  Some people mentioned that guys can be confused about what love is, which happens to girls too.  Some men do it for sex, others for security.  Security?  Yep, even guys need security sometimes.  Some guys are also effeminate and value intimicay over independence.  After all, sometimes a man will love a woman, but never tell her.  That also happens.  Next time, please keep in mind that not all guys are the same.  Also, there are women that deserve a lot of respect, honesty, and equal rights; why I'm saying you shouldn't generalize is because let's not reverse the positive aspects of feminism.
657899
Civil Rights: racism, desegregation, inequality, civil-disobedience, courage.\n\nWomen's movement:  feminism, equality, sexism, empowerment, businesswoman.\n\nCounter culture:  hippie, free-love, self-expression, radicalism, anti-establishment.
412483
not all feminists want men out completely. I think all the roles should be equal for all as much as possible (off course men can't give birth so not all things can be shared unfortunately)
408492
Not only has feminism hurt the familly, it has hurt the goals of women as well. The problem with feminism is that it involves women leading women. Which is just as dangerous as men leading men. In both cases, the leaders only have hindsight, and no foresight of the longterm results of their decisions and actions. The only one that can tell the result of a decision or action before it is chosen or occurs is Christ.\n\nIn anger to the mistreatment of women by men, (both true and axagerated) women have fought to convince men to think of and treat women as if they were men. What women didn't consider is that men let men fend for themselves, and men can be very rough amongst each other. As a result:\n\n-men expect women to provide for themselves, since men do\n-men are more proned to be just as violent and tempermental with women as with men.\n-men are more likely to hold back their feelings from women, since men often stay "strong" amongst themselves\n-men are less considerate of the emotional differences of women. Since men tend to hide emotions more often and with greater ease, (due to great differences in hormonal inconsistencies)\n-men expect women to carry their burdens like men. Including pregnancies. Such as in the military, a man is expected to keep with the group no matter the weight carried. In the workplace, a man is expected to carry his load, despite sickness or injury, without complaint.\n-men are less compasionate for women. Even in situations of sexual discrimination or harrasment. These are both a form of bullying. Men are expected to defend themselves from bullies on their own. Therefore, so ought women to.\n\nAlthough many, if not most, men would still rather treat women as precious, and tender, they fear seeming "sexest" or "male shovanistic". Many women also long for the compasion, romance, and care of a man, such as in the early 1900's and before, but fear that asking for such would give warrent to sexual disrespect yet again.\n\nAll in all, the femenist movement has only helped destroy the Christ ordained family structure, and the very dreams women longed for. Thus proving, neither men nor women have the infinite knowledge, wisdom, understanding, hindsight, or forsight necessary to lead any people. Only Christ has these virtues.
197448
I would tend to say disagreement.\n\nMany, many women today have reversed their opinions regarding the militant feminists movement of the 1960s. Many women now think it is thier most important responsibility in life to properly raise their children.\n\nThe militant feminist movement of the 1960s did a lot of harm to our society.\n\nReady for some politically incorrect observations?\n\n* Women can't do everything men can do.\n* Men can't do everything women can do.\n* Realistically, women take care of families better.\n* Realisitcally, men are better wage earners.\n* There is a REASON traditional roles of males and females in the household evolved as they did.\n* 5,000 years of evolution can't be wrong.\n\nI am not saying things can't be made better. All I am saying is that Mother Nature has developed roles for men and women regarding families. And many are rediscovering those roles.\n\nBlast away, Feminazis.
796079
Men have been the top banana for so long that their power feels threatened.  The stereotypes of ugly or lesbian woman is just another attempt by men to keep their control and power over woman.  Here you are an intelligent, thoughtful woman and yet you say "bit of a feminist"  you are nervous to be labeled a feminist because of the connotations it brings to other peoples minds... Looks like men did a good job there, huh??  Here's a hint, when the best defense against something you've thought out and researched and believe is, "you're ugly"  "you're stupid" .... you are on to something valid.
211225
Though I hesitate to call myself feminist (mostly due to an internal debate over whether a man can truly be a feminist); I do try to uphold some of the beliefs of both the early suffragette movement, and the change in social mores in the 1960s and 1970s. That is, gender (and racial though that is a different topic) equality in matters of politics, socio-economics, and spiritaulity.\n\nAs for reconciling attitudes between my own beliefs and those of the patriarchal religions; quite frankly, I couldn't. Experience with my extended family gave me an extremely biased view of leadership dynamics. Due to my mother's family, I began to tie the presence of strong female influence, leadership and direction to long-term stability and strong ties within a family. This idea was reinforced over the course of three generations: my mother, my mother's mother, my maternal grandmother's mother and sisters, as well as my maternal grandfather's mother and sister all presented strong female role models and true partnerships with their husband. It is interesting to note that while a good number of my maternal great-aunts and great-uncles (sisters/brothers of grandparents) do affiliate with the (Roman Catholic or other Christian) church, the majority are FWEC Christians.\nMy father's family, on the other hand, had a strong paternal influence within the household; or rather, the influence of my paternal grandmother was purposefully muted due to prevailing influence and ideals of the Catholic Church during her childhood. Their family dynamic, in the past twenty years, has been punctuated by arguments, divorce, and what can only be described as very poor judgement.\n\nI never truly had to reconcile my own learned beliefs with those of the church for two main reasons: first, I was not raised in the church. I sought the church on my own around as a pre-teen and chose the Congregational Church specifically because of it's stand on female clergy (allowed).
131815
You have to look for signs.\n\nBetter still keep it open to a number of prospects, one might hit, then proceed.\n\nThis is not at all an anti-feministic approach, ladies do that too.
452620
Did you mean dominant? DOrmant is bordering on necrophilia!\n\nNo, I believe that there is no relationship happening without reciprocity - i.e. you take turns in taking the iniative. As a feminist, I try to assert myself (both sexually and nonsexually) without going to the point of aggressively dominating him.\n\nthat's the ideal anyway! like any human being I need the other person to take the lead too... everybody wants to be wanted!
566381
Feminist\nWonder\nRacism
99548
a woman is the token of respect,\nshe not to be paid \nshe should be like a mother.\nexpect for some expection, she should be treated equally