To all Feminists : Why are you feminists?

Because I've seen the long term damage that rape does and because I'm appalled with our relaxed attitude towards rape and sexual assault.

I realised I wanted to be a feminist when I was about 9/10 and all the girls would go around punching the boys and saying "you can't hit me because I'm a girl." I'd hit them anyway because I am a feminist.

This attitude is the same in the majority of females. Nearly all of them think They're entitled to be violent towards men without any consequences.

I'm a feminist because I believe in equal rights for men and women- why wouldn't you?!
It's quite a simple concept to me and I don't ever get why men seem to reckon women are weaker than them because we're definitely not...
Plus many issue face men too and only when we have equal rights among ALL people can we begin to combat it all

Im sorry about what you have seen/experienced. What makes you feel that there is a relaxed attitude towards sexual assault and rape? Furthermore do you think that men are victims of these 2 crimes you mentioned?

I'm a feminist because I believe in equal rights for men and women- why wouldn't you?!
It's quite a simple concept to me and I don't ever get why men seem to reckon women are weaker than them because we're definitely not...
Plus many issue face men too and only when we have equal rights among ALL people can we begin to combat it all

To give one example: We, as a society, have created a justice system that deems it appropriate for the punishment for violently raping a 16 year old to be 4 years in prison. That's a relaxed attitude to rape.

Yes, men are victims of sexual assault. Something we like to sweep under the carpet, like we often do when women are the victims. The largest ongoing single investigation into sexual abuse involves all male victims (to the best of my knowledge) . Potentially several hundred of them. It has received very little mainstream media attention.

So much bigotry, misunderstanding and ignorance in this thread. If it weren't so sad that people hold these opinions, it would be funny.

Feminism is called feminism because it is a movement to raise the profile of women in society. Men don't need their profile raised. It's already been done. Look through history, and there is nothing but the achievements of men and the women they have trampled on to achieve this.

Ok. Then why do feminists keep saying they fight for both men and women? Also you talk about the history. That's done we cant change that. If you cant see how women are more priviledged then men in the present day i suggest you start your research.

You don't bring about equality in an unequal society by fighting for both sides. Such an argument is simply nonsense.

???

Those who say "I don't like gender quotas in employment, is goes against natural free-market principles" - I have a particular disdain for you. Look further. Do try to open your eyes a little wider than what can be seen right in front of your nose. Consider that perhaps the reason women aren't naturally as qualified as men is because they have been treated in a sexist manner since birth? They are encouraged to take specific subjects in school, they are encouraged to conform to stereotypes. That happens right from the moment people are born in virtually every culture on the planet. There is literally no reason - biological, psychological, or philosophical - as to why women should achieve to a lesser extent than men.

How do you know that it isnt down to biological/psychological purposes? It seems to me that you do no want to accept it IS down to nature. But it seems like you are trying to find every reason to accept that it is a mans fault

It's really quite sad to hear some people in this threat peddling nonsense about their view of equality from what is already an incredibly privileged position. It's arrogant, and it's ridiculous. Let the people who have been oppressed for many thousands of years and only just beginning to turn the tide decide what equality is.

Can't even.......

Yours faithfully,

A man.

"we need more woman CEOs"
yeah we also need more woman coal miners, woman construction workers, woman politicians, woman technicians
we need more male nurses, male carers, male teachers
don't go preaching gender equality if you're going to be selective about it is what i'll say

Because it began as putting women on equal footing as men and focused on getting rights for women to vote etcc

I guess no one really cares to change the meaning but there has been more equality been the genders most recently rather than lets say as early as 20-30 years ago.

"we need more woman CEOs"
yeah we also need more woman coal miners, woman construction workers, woman politicians, woman technicians
we need more male nurses, male carers, male teachers
don't go preaching gender equality if you're going to be selective about it is what i'll say

...

Because I've seen the long term damage that rape does and because I'm appalled with our relaxed attitude towards rape and sexual assault.

So you're suggesting women are naturally incapable? On what basis? Why might that be? And why does that suggest they should be treated differently?

Thank Christ you aren't a scientist. If you made such an airy-fairy statement in the context of scientific research, you'd be laughed out of the field.

I think you'll find that more men than women get raped because of prisons, certainly in the USA anyway. 33,000 men a year get raped in US jails alone.

And I don't think our attitude is relaxed. Even minor sex crime is considered worse than murder.

Clearly all you hear of feminism is that which emerges through it's critics. Feminism does preach these things, and very commonly.

Because we believe in equality of the sexes. Pure and simple.