Feminism (male input welcomed)

[LIP]

I'm a bloke. Women are good.

[Staurm]

I am a taurus, and a proud hairy man. I was born that way.

As such I have a rather more stubborn edge to my character. But I am not bullish, and I am not scared to display a more gentle side of my character.

I consider myself to have feminist views, but I am not gay. I feel comfortable telling most people, but few people understand where I am coming from, so tend to I draw the line at telling my construction work mates the few times I have worked on building sites. Most people suspect I am gay or bisexual as a result of my identifying with feminism, but I'm pretty sure I am at least not one. I think its more likely I am latently asexual. Anyway, I think it is an important human experience to be able to identify yourself with both feminine and masculine qualities, its part of being human, it's part of being conscious.

So my own personal opinion of feminism transcends the identification with male and female charactersitics, and I think I understand why. It is more of a humanistic point of view- compassion, co-operation. I feel blessed with these qualities, and it saddens me when I see so much brutality and mindlessness in the world. I feel like I want to offer some sort of apology to "women" for having to put up with men's shit for so long, I feel the need to protect them from these bastards who are not representative of me in any way, and I feel pain and anguish when they reject me for that. I guess these are probably self-centred male instincts though, and ones that may well be partly responsible for the emergence of patriarchy in the last place.

Or, I hope instead, the resurgence of a more spiritual society in the new age. Not neccesarily with more emphasis on feminine values, but one that accommodates those within everyone, and also one that does not deny the true character of the male psyche as well. I think the world as it is now denies both.

Feminism is not just about being female, its about being human.

[friendowl]

i believe that in order for a woman to truly
be independant they must first suffer from
things like abandonment ,neglection and more than not
'they grew up without a father.

i know quite a few women and the ones who are true feminists
have major major issues. a lot of the time these women are very educated
and professional and in societys eyes they are fine
but
behind closed doors its a game of hide and seek
empty bottles of anti-depressants and lots of psycho therapy

[katyowns]

I am a feminist.


If you believe men and women should be treated equally, that women should be respected, and women should have the right to choose what they do with their lives....

YOU ARE A FEMINIST

[SaanenGoats]

Wow, this post is still going... I posted on it a long time ago and just happened on it and read something like five pages at two in the morning. I'm not going to say much, just on the last page or two I've been impressed with a couple posts so I'd like to give a shout-out to a few posters.

To friendowl - I agree that to be a true feminist you have to see the shit, so to speak, I remember, with shame, a far younger me trying to impress a very forgiving TA that women have equality. *sigh. I've since come facetoface with that which I didn't believe.

To Staurm - I work in a sawmill and as usually the only woman in the lunchroom, if not the whole shift. I have to thank men like you that make my 8.5 hours a day a respectful, enriching, and openminded experience. (Save the patronizing idiot that calls himself the gentleman, of course.) Feminism is totally about being human!

To thecreator - second time today I totally agree with you on the same issue and similary to Staurm's comment, if we treated people as humans every day the world would be a far better place.

To Polymirize - as Slow said, you are a sharp mind and I admire the wisdom you displayed in your posts.

Cheers!

[Hardcore Newbie]

I am a feminist.


If you believe men and women should be treated equally, that women should be respected, and women should have the right to choose what they do with their lives....

YOU ARE A FEMINIST

No I'm not, I'm an equalitist.

[GraziLovesMary]

I only read the first page, but I just wanted to say that acceptance is much easier in the long run, and much more effective than tolerance.

[natureisawesome]

I'll try to keep my opinion concise.

Do any of you identify yourselves as being a feminist? If so, do you feel comfortable telling other people this?

No, I'm not a feminist, and I'm not a masculinist either. I honestly find either label out of balance. I don't understand why there needs to be a label at all. I eat food, do I need to be a foodist? I find a label for such things as treating women nicely is unnecessary.

What stereotypes do you feel feminists have? Do you feel these are negative or positive?

I think stereotypes can often be out of balance, but I find more and more that stereotypes
have a basis for them, and they are often based upon typical examples, or a combined societal perspective. I don't think most feminists are butch are lesbian etc, but I think probably every butch or lesbian is a feminist. I'm not quite sure what you mean by negative or positive so I won't answer that.

What does feminism mean to you?

I would say that feminism is a movement for women to give them equal rights, equal authority (and sometimes more) as men. It is also a philosophy that exalts all things feminine.

My belief plain and simple, is that men and women are equal in value, but not in roles, not in gifts, not in strengths by any measure. I believe that women have not been as abused as they think they have in the past. It seems to be very easy to stir up animosity over the mistreatment of women because they are weaker and less able to defend/protect themselves, and I think this has been used to innacurately distort history and public perception. I think that on one hand, I believe in the equality of scripture which says to treat another as you would want to be treated. But on the other hand this again has been manipulated and is very deceptive. We have been taught from an early age that we are all created equal. And on one hand that's true, being we're all human and we all have the same value. But on the other hand no, we not equal at all.

I think that feminism no matter how hard it tries will always come in conflict with Christian and family values because it works against the very natural design of male, female, marriage, and family. The new idealogies emerging place women as equal in authority, breadwinner, parent, and everything else. This is not balanced and never will be.

My honest belief is that feminism is born out of selfish desires and rebellion. It's amazing how much has changed so quickly, and it makes me stop and examine the past and look to where the future is headed.

I will also say that feminists have no moral foundation for their claims and rights, and more and more I understand that so many of these newly emerged civil rights groups have none either and only scream louder and louder until they get what they want and firebrand anyone as a sexist or rascist who gets in thier way.

What issues do you think are most important for feminists?

self-defense. feminine self exaltation. more women in polotics. money,money,money and lots more money.

[Quantummist]

I'm a feminist... 98% of all men are ass holes... their butt scratchin , fartin, nose picking, smelly, sweaty, foul mouthed, bone heads..... Its why I like Gurls.....

[Quantummist]

And yes.. I'm a man and I wouldn't go out with me either....