A Critique of Feminism

This image was taken from Flickr. Photo Credit: Joseph Francis

Feminism is a huge topic of discussion in this day in age, especially if you’re a Californian. Here are some of my thoughts on Feminism or better yet (some) feminists and the problems that I see with them. (which aren’t THAT many). First of all what I’d like to point out the term itself which is a bit upsetting. Simply by its name, it implies a bias, and that it’s something geared toward women as target demographic. This already shows a bit of narrow mindedness, as it’s supposed to be about equality for men and women alike but based on the term, it appears that it’s geared mainly toward women. This however is only the superficial/ shallow analysis of what I think is wrong with feminism; but I definitely think that it could use a name change. Equalism?

    I find that some feminists actually use feminism to mask their hatred for men. This isn’t so much a problem with feminism per se but with some people that is an abuse of its ideas. Of course, again, feminism is supposed to mean equality for all but I have encountered many feminists who secretly feel and believe that they are superior to men. The times that I have spoken to some feminist friends, they state that they, unlike men have the power to give birth and create life and believe that men are secretly jealous of that. Therefore they have derived a superiority complex over the fact that they are able to give birth while males cannot.

   Also, many feminists that I have encountered always like to point out the advantages that men have over women in society but they never acknowledge all the privileges that women have over men. If they are for equality as they say, then shouldn’t they be fighting for men’s rights as well? One example of this is – divorce and alimony. Statistically only 3% of divorced men receive alimony. In 2010, 380,000 women received alimony compared to only 12,000 men according to the U.S. Census Bureau statistics. Mind you, alimony and child support are two different things. This points to flaws in societal expectations of men, gender roles, pride and also in the court system. Where are my feminists fighting to change these issues?? Another example is – women getting in for cheaper prices at certain locations such as nightclubs, parties or bars. Why should women get priority/discounts over men to at these events? What about the unwritten rule – women and children first? This rule makes sense to me if the women have children but why do women get priority over men when it comes down to saving peoples lives? Again, statistically there are more women than men on planet earth so shouldn’t we be saving the men!?

    I know that some of these examples may seem a bit extreme and/or controversial and I’m not saying that I truly believe in all of this stuff but hey, it’s food for thought! I think we live in a world where it is easier to blame others for our own problems and we tend to point fingers without analyzing our own shortcomings, biases and faults. All I’m saying is, if you are really for equality, act like it. I am a supporter of feminism in its true sense but when it’s used as a mask for women’s supremacy, that’s when I have a problem with it.