What is Feminism?

By Joanna Cowan

Recently, I saw a video where a girl said, “I am not a feminist: a man can open a door for me. I am not a feminist: I can cook in the kitchen. I am not a feminist: my man can carry my groceries.” But then I wondered, “Isn’t that the entire point of feminism?” That you can cook in a kitchen but are not forced to and you can have a man open the door for you or carry the shopping but you can also choose to do it by yourself with no judgement. So that made me think… What is feminism?

Feminism has had many different waves. The First wave, during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, focused on getting a vote for women and property rights for married women (it was previously the case that the husband would own all of his wife's property after marriage). They also focused on equal education and looking at legal rights and double standards for women. Lots of this changed during after WW1 as women gained opportunities to work in the workforce. During the second wave in the 1960’s-1980’s, feminism expanded to call for equality and a change to gender roles in the workplace and family. They also focused on ending violence against women, systematic sexism, on gaining equal pay and protecting reproductive rights (note that contraception was being introduced during the 1960’s). The third wave during the 1990s -2010’s was a more general and inclusive wave looking at issues ranging from race, class, sexuality as well as individual experiences. This also saw the change in focus from mainly white middle class women to all marginalised groups. This also saw the challenge of stereotypes about women and people also began to encourage independence. The fourth wave, which is currently happening, looks at online abuse, sexual assault, the patriachy and representation in the media/in the workforce. Many people may define themselves as a particular wave of feminist as they align with a specific belief more than others. At the end of the day, you make your own decisions about what feminism means to you. 

So why has feminism become a dirty word? 

First let’s look at the google definition of feminism:

From this I think it is important to note Equality as a keyword. Recently, some people have developed a stereotype of feminists being a “man-hating extremist or cynical, angry and aggressive.” An article written by Cen Chen disputes this well:

“Feminism is stigmatized in various ways and a number of people refuse or are afraid to be associated with being a feminist. Why is that?

It takes courage to be the one who is regarded as aggressive and risks the invisible punishment from the society in which males still hold power. However, it's those people who take one step further that won the right to be enjoyed by the rest.”

She also talks about the famous “this is what a feminist looks like” t-shirt: even my parents own one. She says that they have been “worn by a variety of people including President Obama and Benedict Cumberbatch [and it] is an effective response to this misperception [that feminists are angry, men-hating women]. When more people are willing to show that feminists are common people who hold the sincere belief that women and men should earn equal rights, the stigmatization will hopefully diminish gradually.”

Often there are stereotypes about the appearances of feminists. This needs to be changed. Feminism is loving the colour pink and barbies whilst also smashing it on a football field.  At the end of the day it comes down to you. You don’t have to be outgoing to be a feminist. You don’t have to sacrifice self expression through clothes or anything else. 

So what can you do in your day to day life as a feminist? 

Micro feminism has recently been discussed across media platforms like Buzzfeed and the Guardian. These articles call women to do simple acts to ensure support for all women. For example, asking a woman a question in a workplace to include her in the conversation or encouraging an idea put forward by a woman. This is a more accessible way for all people to show support and make an active difference in the world. 

Feminism in other words could be being a ‘Girls’ Girl.’ Most of us would say we are a Girls’ Girl but how many of us would actively tell people that we are a feminist? We all know what being a Girls’ Girl is; telling a girl if she has food in her teeth, supporting women in instagram posts, complimenting strangers on their outfits, telling someone where you got your outfit from. These acts of women supporting women are super popular on social media. So is being a Girls’ Girl the equivalent of a feminist? Are we just afraid to call it feminism in the modern day due to stereotypes around feminists? 

Well if you have ever stood up for a woman, if you think women deserve equal pay to men, if you have a choice of career, if you want to have kids and a job, YOU are a feminist. And if you are currently accessing an education, if you have ever worn pants, if you have a job, this is a result of the hard work of feminists over the years. 

So don’t be afraid. To be a feminist you don’t have to be loud, you can just support women and want equality whatever your gender. Be a proud feminist in small ways or big. I support you!