What is Feminism?

[Arborlawn]

I'm sorry for my ignorance, but what is Feminism?

I was speaking to a young woman recently, and we spoke about women's rights. She explained to me her beliefs, and I explained mine to her. I told her, "I believe in equal pay for equal work and equal qualifications, I believe in equal opportunities, I am against workplace discrimination, I support equal education opportunities for women. If women want to work, great! I personally would like to have a wife at home." She proceeded to call me a sexist. I thought with all my beliefs, aside from my personal preference, that I was rather feminist. I'm a Socialist and Social Libertarian for Moses' sake.

So, please, what exactly is Feminism?

[Madoka Kaname]

Eh, I'd say one can be a feminist and a sexist at the same time. You seem to be a feminist though.

[Farnhamia]

I'm sorry for my ignorance, but what is Feminism?

I was speaking to a young woman recently, and we spoke about women's rights. She explained to me her beliefs, and I explained mine to her. I told her, "I believe in equal pay for equal work and equal qualifications, I believe in equal opportunities, I am against workplace discrimination, I support equal education opportunities for women. If women want to work, great! I personally would like to have a wife at home." She proceeded to call me a sexist. I thought with all my beliefs, aside from my personal preference, that I was rather feminist. I'm a Socialist and Social Libertarian for Moses' sake.

So, please, what exactly is Feminism?

And if your wife wanted to have a career outside the home? Your first sentence says you're a feminist. The answer to my question is the crux.

[Arborlawn]

I'm sorry for my ignorance, but what is Feminism?

I was speaking to a young woman recently, and we spoke about women's rights. She explained to me her beliefs, and I explained mine to her. I told her, "I believe in equal pay for equal work and equal qualifications, I believe in equal opportunities, I am against workplace discrimination, I support equal education opportunities for women. If women want to work, great! I personally would like to have a wife at home." She proceeded to call me a sexist. I thought with all my beliefs, aside from my personal preference, that I was rather feminist. I'm a Socialist and Social Libertarian for Moses' sake.

So, please, what exactly is Feminism?

And if your wife wanted to have a career outside the home? Your first sentence says you're a feminist. The answer to my question is the crux.

I'm not asking if I am a Feminist, I am asking WHAT Feminism is? If my beliefs are not what Feminism is, then what the hell is it? I am quickly coming to the conclusion that it is a bunch of lonely women finding things to bitch about.

[Madoka Kaname]

And if your wife wanted to have a career outside the home? Your first sentence says you're a feminist. The answer to my question is the crux.

I'm not asking if I am a Feminist, I am asking WHAT Feminism is? If my beliefs are not what Feminism is, then what the hell is it? I am quickly coming to the conclusion that it is a bunch of lonely women finding things to bitch about.

But it is. Those things you listed is feminism. But that does not exclude you from being a sexist.

The two sets overlaps.

[Arborlawn]

I'm not asking if I am a Feminist, I am asking WHAT Feminism is? If my beliefs are not what Feminism is, then what the hell is it? I am quickly coming to the conclusion that it is a bunch of lonely women finding things to bitch about.

But it is. Those things you listed is feminism. But that does not exclude you from being a sexist.

The two sets overlaps.

Go on . . .

[Farnhamia]

And if your wife wanted to have a career outside the home? Your first sentence says you're a feminist. The answer to my question is the crux.

I'm not asking if I am a Feminist, I am asking WHAT Feminism is? If my beliefs are not what Feminism is, then what the hell is it? I am quickly coming to the conclusion that it is a bunch of lonely women finding things to bitch about.

My bad. Your first sentence is a decent summary of what feminism works to achieve. It's about taking gender out of the equation in the work place and politics.

Oh, and female domination, but that goes without saying. *nod*

[Khadgar]

fem·i·nism/ˈfeməˌnizəm/
Noun:
The advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.

Really, it wasn't hard to look up the definition.

[Katganistan]

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?all ... hmode=none

feminism
1851, "state of being feminine;" sense of "advocacy of women's rights" is 1895, from Fr. féminisme (1837); see feminine + -ism.

m-w.com

fem·i·nism
noun \ˈfe-mə-ˌni-zəm\
Definition of FEMINISM
1
: the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes
2
: organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests
— fem·i·nist noun or adjective
— fem·i·nis·tic adjective
See feminism defined for English-language learners »
See feminism defined for kids »
First Known Use of FEMINISM
1895

Google is my friend.

[Condunum]

I'm not asking if I am a Feminist, I am asking WHAT Feminism is? If my beliefs are not what Feminism is, then what the hell is it? I am quickly coming to the conclusion that it is a bunch of lonely women finding things to bitch about.

My bad. Your first sentence is a decent summary of what feminism works to achieve. It's about taking gender out of the equation in the work place and politics.

Oh, and female domination, but that goes without saying. *nod*

I like men and women, and I don't identify as male or female. Can I not be dominated in the bad way?

[Farnhamia]

My bad. Your first sentence is a decent summary of what feminism works to achieve. It's about taking gender out of the equation in the work place and politics.

Oh, and female domination, but that goes without saying. *nod*

I like men and women, and I don't identify as male or female. Can I not be dominated in the bad way?

You can. *emails you the application* Send it back and we'll be in touch. *smiles knowingly* Literally.

[No-Ghost Zone]

A want of equal men and women.

[Arborlawn]

fem·i·nism/ˈfeməˌnizəm/
Noun:
The advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.

Really, it wasn't hard to look up the definition.

Such a sad soul you are. I am aware of this. This is what I thought feminism was, in my OP. However, as I explained to young feminist my beliefs (Again, in the OP, if you decided to read that), she called me a sexist. According, to the definition, that is Feminism. However, according to the feminist, it isn't. So what is?

[Mike the Progressive]

Nazism with a touch of delusions of matriarchal grandeur and a dash of menstrual bleeding.

[Madoka Kaname]

But it is. Those things you listed is feminism. But that does not exclude you from being a sexist.

The two sets overlaps.

Go on . . .

If you want a wife who stays at home simply because you think that's what women are good at, you're a sexist. You show a discrimination of sex roles, of what women can or can't do.

You can certainly support a law that promotes gender equality with the thought that genders are unequal.

I'm not accusing you of being sexist by the way. The first part was an example. I don't know your reasons for wanting a wife like that. If you explain the logic of your preference, it might be a bit clearer why it's not sexist. But for some women, it might look like it.

[Farnhamia]

Really, it wasn't hard to look up the definition.

Such a sad soul you are. I am aware of this. This is what I thought feminism was, in my OP. However, as I explained to young feminist my beliefs (Again, in the OP, if you decided to read that), she called me a sexist. According, to the definition, that is Feminism. However, according to the feminist, it isn't. So what is?

I suspect she thought your wanting your wife at home was the sexist part.

[Arborlawn]

Nazism with a touch of delusions of matriarchal grandeur and a dash of menstrual bleeding.

I'm quite frightened.

[Condunum]

I like men and women, and I don't identify as male or female. Can I not be dominated in the bad way?

You can. *emails you the application* Send it back and we'll be in touch. *smiles knowingly* Literally.

*blinks* Oh dear. I'll be sure to return this pronto.

Nazism with a touch of delusions of matriarchal grandeur and a dash of menstrual bleeding.

I'm not sure I like that visual.

[The USOT]

You do sound like a feminist, which is generally about gender equality, but seems in the modern era to have become heralded unfortunately as female supremacy...

There is one important thing though. Feminism in its many forms encompasses all aspects of social life. So the earlier question asking you how you would react if your hypothetical spouse wanted a job is key to explaining it.

If for instance you were to be opposed to this, then you are indeed opposed to her having an equal right to work as you. Provided this is not for some form of monetary or health reason, then this is indeed a form of sexism which is in opposition to womens rights, and therefore not a feminist viewpoint etc.

[Arborlawn]

Such a sad soul you are. I am aware of this. This is what I thought feminism was, in my OP. However, as I explained to young feminist my beliefs (Again, in the OP, if you decided to read that), she called me a sexist. According, to the definition, that is Feminism. However, according to the feminist, it isn't. So what is?

I suspect she thought your wanting your wife at home was the sexist part.

I don't see why. Is it not feminist to allow people who want to stay at home, to be at home?

[Mike the Progressive]

Nazism with a touch of delusions of matriarchal grandeur and a dash of menstrual bleeding.

I'm quite frightened.

It's a recipe for disaster.

[Madoka Kaname]

I suspect she thought your wanting your wife at home was the sexist part.

I don't see why. Is it not feminist to allow people who want to stay at home, to be at home?

It is feminist. Again, none of us seem to be doubting your support of feminism. It's the sexist part.

[Farnhamia]

I suspect she thought your wanting your wife at home was the sexist part.

I don't see why. Is it not feminist to allow people who want to stay at home, to be at home?

Sure, but she was young, and the young tend to be more zealous. Not having been privy to your conversation, I can't know exactly what you said and what she said.

[Condunum]

I suspect she thought your wanting your wife at home was the sexist part.

I don't see why. Is it not feminist to allow people who want to stay at home, to be at home?

She probably took your statement of wanting a wife at home to be some sort of attack against women. While I find that it would require ignoring everything you had just said, it seems that's what happened.

[Khadgar]

Really, it wasn't hard to look up the definition.

:palm: Such a sad soul you are. I am aware of this. This is what I thought feminism was, in my OP. However, as I explained to young feminist my beliefs (Again, in the OP, if you decided to read that), she called me a sexist. According, to the definition, that is Feminism. However, according to the feminist, it isn't. So what is?

You ran into a rampaging bitch. They occur naturally in all political strata.