Feminism Also Stands For Men Oppression

Feminism Also Stands For Men Oppression

Feminism is a word that has become Stigmatized for an entire generation. If a person associates themselves with the word “feminist,” they are automatically considered a hater of men. Even some women repel the word “feminist” out of fear of societal judgment. Why does being a feminist make you unfeminine in the eyes of society?

What is feminism? It is a political notion originating from Europe, advocating for women’s rights in society, including the right to vote, own property, participate in bureaucratic work, receive proper education, enjoy equal rights within marriage, and have access to maternity leave.

A recent incident involved the brutal murder and rape of a 31-year-old female postgraduate trainee doctor in the middle of the night at a Kolkata hospital, which caused massive outrage in society. Many cities remain unsafe for women at night. According to the UN, one out of every three women in the world has faced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. How does being the voice of these atrocities make you men hater?

The margin for equality is not being equal to men

Many celebrity women who were hesitant to label themselves as feminists — Hollywood star Shailene Woodley said she does not consider herself a feminist because she loves men and believes in a balance between genders rather than focusing on one over the other. Pop singer Lana Del Rey stated she does not focus on feminism, saying she is more interested in space travel and other topics rather than the feminist movement. Bollywood actresses Sonam Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan have both avoided the label of feminism.

According to the US social activist bell hooks, women avoid being associated with any political notion, specifically the radical ones, because of the embedded fear of being seen as joining the movement that challenges male rights — behaviour that has been inculcated in them from an early age due to the hegemony of patriarchy.

Once we notice that the system of patriarchy, and not men, is the problem.

Hooks also suggests that feminism is never about being equal to men, as men are also mistreated in society through casteism and racism. Its aim to create fair equal opportunity for all those who facing discrimination due to cast, class, racial, and gender oppression.