Has feminism affected the relationship between men and women?

[Hades]

If so, how? I think it has, but I'd like to hear the opinions of others. Please share your thoughts & discuss.

[Bodycology]

It has greatly affected the relationship between men and women. In fact, it has affected the relationship so much so that it is imposable to cover in one response or even under an hour.

For one, the legal status of women has changed significantly since the 1800's. Prior to the movement women were in fact legal property. Since then things have changed dramatically. In many ways, several western philosophers within the Enlightenment would be severely pleased with this rapid transformation.

There has been endless and immense pressure on men to be the prime and only initiators or for women to be the passive ones. I would argue we are in transition period for this, but are under a very submissive feminist movement which is why things are moving so slowly. If anything, I am disappointed in the lack of influence because it has led to a period of ambiguity for us men. Should we be the primary aggressors? Should we not? I choose to be the initiator at times, but I do not always have to be, and I enjoy this.

As a feminist I can sense the confusion within the masses on both their gender and their roles and especially on feminism itself. I don't ever recall reading a feminist text in school until college, but when I did I became more empowered and finally understood all that my father had told me growing up.

On a personal level, I have done nothing but benefit from feminism. Not only am I allowed to express my gender in a not so typical way, it also saves me from burning a hole in my pocket when on dates. Since I only date feminist women, my sex life is very exciting and not at all restrictive and I get the company of a beautiful and intellectual woman who can stand on her own two feet but also be supportive and nurturing in a way that I cannot even begin to describe.

[Hades]

Interesting. If you don't mind me asking, how do you feel about the all time low birth rates in Western nations?

[Bodycology]

It is one of the side effects of a developed society. We have been in economic decline for a very long time, it is not a surprising fact. With birth control and more choice, men and women are limiting themselves to only two children as that is the average and economically affordable.

It has been an issue in several European countries for decades.

[Hades]

Yeah that's true. Birth rates in Germany are even lower. In my country, birth rates are so low that we are actually relying on immigration to maintain a stable population, which is predicted to be half of what it is today in around 30-40 years. Things are definitely going to get worse from here on out. (In my opinion.)

[Bodycology]

I see it as a time of stagnancy. As we are heavily relying on oil and refuse to create a new era of technology or further industrialization, we are falling behind. This is the international and historical cycle of power.

[Hades]

True. I think Iran actually leapfrogged Britain as the worlds 5th largest nuclear power sometime last year. We sure aren't the big kids on the block anymore, I think China and India will be the most powerful nations in the world in a decade or two. I hope the Western nations don't decline into second world countries. (I doubt that would happen to the US, though.)

[Bodycology]

Yes, China and India are rapidly industrializing and developing. It is bound to bring dissatisfaction and political chaos and a change in the international powers. Brazil and Indonesia are countries to look out for as well.

[Moloch]

Feminism has definitely affected the relationship between men and women. Men raised by feminists and complacent fathers lack assertiveness in the dating world. That's why you see all these questions on GaG saying things like "How do I talk to her?" "How to tell her I like her?". Then you see the women saying things like "How do I get him to talk to me?" "How to approach shy men?". It's ridiculous sometimes.

Before Feminism, men knew what they had to do, how to approach, and the rules. Now they expect things to be equal and the rules we followed for thousands of years became muddled and unclear. Lots of people don't know how to be a man and a woman in a relationship. You have overly aggressive women and overly passive men. This is definitely not the way dating is supposed to be. You can see this with men being dissatisfied and uncomfortable with their masculinity and with women feeling uncomfortable being the assertive ones in the relationship. Women do not like to lead, they like to follow, but they need men to follow, that's why they go for all the douchebags and alpha males. Men need to be leaders, they need women to take the supportive role and be passive in the relationship. This is the way it's supposed to be.

[Bodycology]

What exactly gives you the right to define what people "need" to be?

Dating isn't supposed to be anything, it was created by humans and can therefore can be redefined.

[Moloch]

I'm not debating this, I don't care what anybody has to say about this.

[Bodycology]

lol okay, relax.

[iXenomorph]

Since the rise of feminism, my kitchen has been far too lonely.

[JustAnOpinion]

I've been yelled at purely for being "A Man".

[JustAnOpinion]

Downvote me all you want. It's true