Has “feminist” become a negative label, or do people define it differently?

[KBird]

I consider myself a feminist because I believe in equal rights, equal pay for equal work, and equal opportunities. I also believe people should be free to choose a more traditional life or relationship if that’s what they genuinely want. To me, those beliefs are compatible.

Over time, though, I’ve noticed some people react negatively to the word. I once had a disagreement with someone who said feminists believe women are superior to men, which conflicts with my understanding of feminism as advocating for equality.

Recently, someone asked whether I was a feminist. When I said yes, they gave me a look of disgust. It made me wonder whether we were attaching very different meanings to the same word.

Has the meaning changed, or has its public perception changed? If you believe in gender equality, do you describe yourself as a feminist, or do you use different wording, and why?

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

I believe we all attach different meanings to so many words

A word as simple as "boat" is, at the same time, the objective thing it is and the subjective experience we have with it. When hearing the word "boat" someone could be reminded of a nice trip to an island, someone else could be reminded of a relative died in an accident.

Dictionaries are essential, yet they cannot account for how many hidden meanings there is.

My experience with the word "feminist" is overall positive, so I'm cool with it, but I also know how awfully negative it can get for someone else, 2010 and 2020s taught me that. This forum will teach you that too, if you stay around for long enough

[Ez-Bri-Z_v2]

Unfortunately there has been a massive backlash by incels and non mature men against feminism since it began.

Lately it feels like it has gotten worse as these men with victim complexes think that feminism is out to lower men and make them inferior to women. That couldn't be further from the truth.

Like you said, we are just looking for equality, and of course, when some men hear that they flip out and deny that there are still challenges we face in being treated like equals. For example, women are often dismissed or undertreated when it comes to medical issues. Now we have also lost a medical treatment (abortion) because some idiots think it's icky and wrong.

I know there are going to be some feminists who do take it too far but the majority of us are just normal people trying to ensure we are all treated equally. If those who oppose feminism would just open their eyes and pay attention, they would see that.

[FreyaRed]

Left exploits feminism for their agenda. I mean supporting illegal immigration of mostly men from regions where women rights isn't even a topic seems to be counterproductive and completely contrary to women interests in developed societies. Another problem are those misandrists who call themselves feminist and propagate their hatred toward men in mainstream media and social media. Their attitude "we need to put men down so women can get up" is just reflection of their mental bipolarity. The social disdain towards women who want to play housewives. I mean if they want they should do what their desire is. Freedom of choice is the main idea of feminism... Those are just few examples what is wrong with mainstream feminism today.

You can believe in god but you don't accept any religion because they are all rotten. This is similar with feminism. Idea is good but entire social media movement is filled with exploiters and weirdos.

[Lesbologist]

Big red... look her up and she just wants me to shut the fuck up. If you say you're feminist at this point... welcome to the new Nazi party, the final solution kill all men, should we get them on board?

You bring up an issue though... the typical so called "feminist" that probably thinks the definition in the dictionary describes your self proclaimed "tribe" while they're currently pushing abortion past the point of birth and to when they're toddler aged, killing all men as usual, and justifying being a whore.

you're only truly one of them if you'd justify that shit. Do you?

Probably not, and that's how I figure out you're not really a modern feminist.

I'm done mansplaining now... send me to my fendom camp.

[Anonymous]

I believe in and support the goals and values of original feminism. But I have had to come to terms with the fact that what feminism has become is very different, and generally harmful to both sexes. That is based on my personal experiences with other feminists, and my observations of their behaviors and beliefs. Are all feminists bad? Obviously not. But as a whole, the movement in western societies has become toxic and counterproductive, all things considered. When I was younger I proudly identified as a feminist. Not so much anymore. Instead, I just choose to advocate for the values of original feminism.

[strateguy632]

that is silly. if you believed equal then your title is egalitarian. feminine is pro-female female first. the one ceo must be female instead of male. it started as: feminist label themself but quickly became a negative label.

[KBird]

I agree with the language point! I would 100% say I am an egalitarian. I think the term "feminism" makes sense historically because women were fighting exclusion from things such as voting, education, and professions. And naming the group facing those barriers helped make the problem explicit... but now that women have gained rights to vote, pursue education and careers, own property, and participate independently in public life, we are closer to equality of opportunity than before.

[Snowman84]

I don’t see feminism as inherently bad, as long as it promotes equality and the advancement of women’s rights in society. I have read some criticism of feminism lately that suggests some modern feminists are widely adopting a victim and grievance mindset, instead of promoting equality.


Instead of focusing positive actions, they want to give up, assign blame, use sexual assault survivors as political footballs, advocate for draconian laws that are unconstitutional and generally not participate in politics in any meaningful way.


If this comes full circle it could land women and girls back at square one.

[Anonymous]

Your first paragraph does not make you a feminist; it makes you a normal person, or perhaps an egalitarian. The reality is that feminism has evolved constantly over the decades, and what it evolved into over the last two decades has earned it the nasty reputation it has today. It's the actions of feminists that define the movement. Feminism is as feminism does.

Personally I'm glad to see it die as it has in recent years. It had become too polarizing, divisive and harmful to gender relations. Feminism should be replaced by an equality movement that actually cares about everyone, not just females. Despite its disingenuous claims, FEMinism has never been that, and never will be.

The dishonesty of those here blaming the so called incel movement for the downfall of feminism is laughable. Incels and the like are a reaction to the problems feminism created, not the cause of them.

[NathanDavis]

it has a become a vague and controversial one...

different groups of people with very different agendas have "hijacked" the word, the concept and the meaning/goals behind it... same as pretty much every other cause nowadays, lol

[Kelly6]

@KBird what feminist call equal pay and equal employment is not equal at all.

Feminism is mostly a government tool

[KBird]

Ok. I do agree. By equal pay, I mean equal pay for equivalent work. By equal opportunity, I mean being assessed fairly on qualifications and ability, not guaranteeing everyone the same outcome. If someone performs a task better than I do, they are better qualified, and I should be paid equivalent to the work I produce.

And you're suggesting that governments merely use the term to advance an agenda?

[Kelly6]

@KBird
Yup.
But most understand it very differently and wrong

[TwoToTooTutu2]

It certainly has different definitions to different groups. To some it is negative and to others it is positive

[Ariesman81Nshiiit]

There can be no equality when one sex is required to be responsible and the other is privileged.

No alimony, no child support, 50/50 custody is equal.

[jahaims]

It was just something the government used to trick females into doubling the workforce (tax base) and split up family units so kids are easier to program into worker bees.

[duntoldya]

IT's always had a negative label. feminism is cancer.

[Miristheiss]

Yes, it is evil and has destroyed society.

[exitseven]

it has always been a negative label.

[TonyMetal___1986]

Feminism of today are 🐖

[msc545]

Has always been a negative label

[MasterKS]

Fuck off feminist.