For a movement that is about liberation, feminism seems to love holding a monopoly on gender equality discourse. Yes. Whenever I find myself talking about domestic violence, or sexual abuse, or parenting, or body image, or gender equality in general, often the response is, ‘ah so you’re a feminist too?’ Their beaming eyes and gentle swoons don’t last long, and are soon replaced by a puzzled expression, when I politely explain “no”. Their disappointment is understandable – as to quote Ani DiFranco; ‘you’re either a feminist, or you’re a misogynist’. Or as Emma Watson patronisingly explains. ‘If you stand for equality, you are a feminist. Sorry!’ Ah yes, I am actually a secret feminist (I just don’t know it), automatically appropriated to the movement, by virtue of my egalitarian beliefs. Neither of these fine scholars are right of course. As you can absolutely care for women, be a staunch advocate for their rights, and believe in total gender equality – and not be a feminist. In fact, most people believe in gender equality, but do not identify as ‘feminists’. Personally, I chose to leave feminism, not because I don’t love women, or lost compassion for their plight. I left because I was tired of the anti-male bigotry I consistently found sewn into the movement. I agreed with the goal. I too wanted to reach the same golden summit. I just disagreed with the path taken. So I left. Likewise, one in two non-feminist American women polled said they felt ‘feminism is too extreme’, and one in four non-feminist American men and women believe ‘feminism is anti men’. These are valuable insights, held by millions, and are bitter food for thought for feminism. But sadly, it is food which is all-too-often scraped in the bin, with mutterings of ‘true feminism’. So what do you call yourself? Do you find solace within feminism? Do you want it to evolve? And is it time for feminism to take heed from the scrutiny that continues to swirl around it? ~ YouGov – are you a feminist? YouGov USA – why are you not a feminist?  Images by Katie Azi, Pricilla Du Preez, Gradienta, and Kiwi Hug from Unsplash

2023-02-01