Feminism is one of the most misunderstood words in society. It can quickly turn a conversation about equality into a disagreement about gender. During the first wave of feminism in the 19th and early 20th centuries, it indicated a movement that worked to secure equal rights for women. Now, however, feminism mostly refers to a movement that appears to some to be “anti-male” which has resulted in the division of opinions about which gender has it harder. It’s supposed to be that all people are equal in society, regardless of gender. Misunderstandings about feminism as a movement against men rather than one for gender equality has made it exponentially harder to talk about equal rights.
Feminism is supposed to challenge the idea that gender should determine what one can do or how one should act. For example, a girl who wants to become an engineer should be encouraged just as much as a boy with the same goal and a boy who enjoys things like cooking, dancing, or art should not be considered less masculine just because he enjoys those activites.
Historically, feminist movements were categorized into four different waves.
From the first to second wave, feminism shifted due to the development of the birth control pill and the civil rights movement. The growing presence of women into the workforce made women demand more control over their rights. From the second to third wave, it shifted again due to younger women wanting a movement that embraced intersectionality and individual expression. From the third to fourth wave, feminism changed again as a result of the internet allowing women to share their experiences which began online movements and positivity campaigns. #MeToo is an example of such movement; it encouraged women to share experiences of sexual harassment and brought attention to workplace inequality. The change of feminism came from forces such as historical backlash, political polarization, and internet culture. However, the goal has always been the same: challenging unfair treatment based on gender.
One common misconception about feminism is that supporting women means dismissing men and that supporting one gender means completely shutting down the other.
Similarly, boys may feel pressure to hide their emotions because they have been taught that showing sadness or fear makes them weak. These expectations might seem small but have a massive influence on how people see themselves and others. A girl who keeps hearing that certain careers are better suited to men may begin to question her abilities, while a boy who is discouraged from expressing emotion may struggle to ask for support.
Words like misogyny and misandry have made it even more difficult. Misogyny refers to the hatred of and prejudice against women and misandry refers to the hatred of and prejudice against men. Today, these words are often used to label others. Criticizing something a man does does not automatically mean someone hates men, just as disagreeing with a woman does not automatically make someone sexist. When terms like these are used too broadly, they distract from genuine examples of gender-based prejudice.
Another misconception is that feminism and misandry are the same thing. They are not the same; supporting women’s equality does not mean hating men, just as recognizing the conflicts men face does not mean dismissing women’s experiences. Feminism doesn’t mean women should have more rights than men, and society should be able to recognize that unfair expectations can affect people in different ways.
Feminism remains relevant in schools and workplaces too; for example, a girl who speaks confidently in class should not automatically be labeled as bossy while a boy doing the same thing is praised for being a leader. Students should be encouraged to pursue activities based on what they like rather than on assumptions about what is appropriate for their gender. In the workplace too, both genders should have equal opportunities to pursue positions and receive fair treatment.
In the end, feminism should not be a treated as a competition between men and women. The movement has continually worked to address barriers that limit people’s rights and opportunities, so society should be focusing on creating a world where people are judged instead by aspects such as their abilities and character.