Feminism at its
basic definition is the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political,
social, and economic equality to men.
I am a feminist. I like cute bras
from Victoria Secret. I love wearing makeup. I love men. I am not some
bra-burning hairy lesbian because I identify as a feminist (some women might be
—rock it girl— but it’s not a stereotype I fall into). I love wearing a little
black dress and putting on makeup when I go out.
As
a feminist I believe what a woman wears does not constitute unwanted attention
from men. Flirting, or wearing something attractive that leaves little to the
imagination does not grant a man authority to take advantage of that woman, or
use it as an excuse to treat her unfairly.
People
can’t require only females to wear more conservative clothes, like schools are
doing with dress codes, because it may distract males. Men can’t fire a female
for being too attractive because it may distract them from their marriage. Self-control
is the answer to this apparent problem. Men can’t assume because a woman is
attractive to them they can use her however they please.
Women also need to be respected for
their sexual decisions. If a woman has a lot of sex she shouldn’t be slut-shamed.
Equally if a woman chooses not to have sex she shouldn’t be labeled a prude.
It’s a complete double standard. The same goes for men. They may get high-fived
for sleeping around, but if they choose not to they shouldn’t be bullied for
that decision. As a feminist I believe in everyone deserves respect for
whatever decision they make.
As a feminist I believe in economic
equality for all. Women and men doing the same jobs with the same
qualifications should earn the same amount of money. Not only should people of
different genders be paid the same amount, but also people of different races
should be paid equally as well. The racial income inequality gap is just as
important to close as the gender income inequality gap (it’s basic human
rights)
As a feminist I believe in equal
opportunity for men and women in education. Although I live in a country where
boys and girls can be in the same classroom that is not the reality in many
places. Girls should be encouraged to follow their dreams and passions, as
should boys.
In
the United States I take this to mean education reform all over because not all
children receive an equal education. Schools are funded primarily from property
taxes. A child going to school in Montgomery County, Maryland is going to receive
a very different education from a child in Montgomery, Alabama.
As
a feminist I believe in equal opportunity in the home. A woman’s place is not
in the home if she chooses it is not. I believe that women should be able to
make that decision for themselves. I want a career outside of the home when I
am older and that should be my choice. I have friends who dream about being
loving mothers and homemakers to their husbands who are out working and that is
great. I believe that women as well as men should be able to choose what they
want to do without judgment or shame. If a man wants to stay at home with the
kids and be a homemaker more power to him because that is a hard job.
As
a feminist I believe in gender equality. Everyone should be able to do what they
wants to do in life without gender-bias getting in the way. Everyone has hard
life decisions to make as they are growing up and these biases and stereotypes
are getting in the way of people making decisions that would make them happy. Crush
the stereotypes, break out of the proverbial box. Men and women equally deserve
happiness, and that is something that gender equality can bring. Men and women
will all benefit as feminists.
Footnotes:
I may use the word “they” incorrectly as a singular
(grammatically correct would be “he or she”), but I agree with my friend Gabi
that “but isn’t grammar biased because it’s regulated by the Man”
