Feminism is one of the most significant social movements of our time as a human species; however, within the framework that it has evolved in throughout its time as a Western social movement, some believe that it has taken a wrong turn. According to Collins Dictionary, “Feminism is the belief and aim that women should have the same rights, power, and opportunities as men.” I would also add that the modern movement includes a more intersectional branch of feminism, including women of color, trans women, LGTBQIA+ women, etc. In no way does this definition imply the supremacy of women over men, or the loss of men’s rights (already guaranteed by the Western systems we live in).
More specifically, Western feminism has achieved many milestones for women such as reproductive rights (despite their frequent revocations in Western countries still today), the rights to vote, own businesses, occupy political positions of power, and many more; but today, the main focus of Western feminism is the media construction of women in relation to men. Looking at the great progress and advancements made by the movement, many would argue that feminism isn’t needed in the West anymore – which is an utter insult to the many efforts, sacrifices and hardships endured by women to achieve decent human rights. This logic therefore conveys that human rights have an expiration date for all except white men – which is intrinsically the reason why feminism is still crucial today. Women’s rights should be seen as irrevocable rights, an unwavering facet of society.
The 21st century is certainly another playground for social justice and feminism, as the omnipresence of mainstream media and social platforms dictate the global conception of certain subjects. It is important here to notice I have mentioned “mainstream” media, which significantly contributes to the corruption of feminism today. Many platforms such as Tiktok, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook are full of claims that modern feminism is a “joke”, advocating that men are also an “oppressed group”; effectively showing how hate, fear, division and misinformation surrounding feminism spread like wildfire – clearly depicting how mainstream media can be harmful to this movement.
This misconception and corruption of feminism has indeed become widespread due to the conflicting views between ideological feminism, and mainstream, extremist, “misandrist” feminism. This has also been seen through the large presence of men’s rights activists on social media advocating for men’s liberation (focusing “on the damage, isolation and suffering experienced by boys and men through being socialized into manhood”), and men’s rights among others (“blaming women and feminism for harms done to men, denying ideas about male power and privilege and arguing that men are now the real victims of social injustice”). The second agenda is the most omnipresent argument used against feminism amongst Millenials and Gen Z, creating a certain battle of the “most oppressed” group of individuals.
What people must understand is that modern-day feminism is the attempt to dismantle the oppressive patriarchal system which has been established for many centuries, harming both women and men. Feminism isn’t about “us versus them”, but rather, “everyone versus the patriarchy”.
As modern feminism is seen as a battle of the sexes, the former thus becomes horribly stigmatized as a threat against men, and the latter openly express their hatred against the movement. Here, “the main problem” with men’s rights movements “is that men already have the upper hand, so instead of fighting for their own rights, whether they realize it consciously or not, these groups fight for the oppression of others.” Some might argue the goal of media platforms is to shock, provocate, and divide. However, media can and should be used in a proactive and positive manner (as I try to do here) to shed light on modern day feminism, and depict it in a more objectively subjective and truthful way.
In response to polarizing media, it is important to destigmatize the mainstream meaning of feminism. When the term “feminist” is used today, it brings with it, an air of provocative taboo, strongly linked to the widespread representation of its extremist practicioners (femens, “feminazi”) implicating hatred against men, and a desire for a reversal in power gender roles, (it is important to note that there are extremists in any and every social movement, this does not mean the movement is based upon these extremist values which are practiced by only a minority in the movement). Most people today make the amalgam between modern-day feminism and misandry. The word “feminism”, has essentially become corrupted. In fact, “these misconceptions have caused the idea of feminism to be completely misconstrued by people who could, in fact, benefit from the vision.”
In fact, writer Carter Sherwin states that, “In today’s age, feminists are portrayed as extremely radical individuals— women who hate men and believe they are superior to them in every way. To be a feminist is a slur, an insult— almost a branding of sorts.” Destigmatizing the “F” word starts with understanding the true motives of the movement, and adopting “state feminism” like Sweden has in the last decades, as a way to essentially normalize and institutionalize feminism. This strives to close the gap between men and women in matters relating to the private and public spheres– thus including both women and men in this movement.
Is feminism therefore beneficial for men as well? Can men be feminists?
Some articles might argue the opposite, by stating “men can only be pro-feminist” rather than intrinsically “feminists” (meaning here, according to the author, that men cannot actually be feminists as they are not part of the fight for women’s empowerment, as it does not concern them directly) and “men, in this patriarchal system, cannot remove themselves from their power and privilege in relation to women.” However, the mere acknowledgment of recognizing one’s privilege, allows one to use it for the greater good – meaning, advocating for equality, and women’s emancipation through proactive and constructive activism. This would additionally allow for an emancipation of men; through redefining their identities relating to women, other men, and the society they live in – actively changing these structures and perceived interrelationships. In addition, we cannot deny that men can greatly benefit from feminism and a dismantled patriarchal institution as “Suicide and substance abuse are two problems that disproportionately affect men in a culture of traditional masculinity.”
However, Klocke in this article includes an interesting nuance to men’s movements, stating that (in bell hooks’ words) “the men’s movement should not be separate from the women’s movement but instead become a segment under the larger feminist movement. In this way men would not be taking centre stage in yet another part of women’s lives allowing a slightly more subtle form of domination to continue.” In fact, “feminism is not just about improving the position and status of women, but also about freeing men (and women) from the restrictive codes that hold them back.” Men can make important advancements for the emancipation of women.
I personally believe men can be and should be feminists because, the truth is, without the implication of men and their active political recognition of patriarchy’s oppressive schemes, the fight for gender equality and rightful equity will not be possible. However this also works in the other way, without women’s acknowledgment of men’s issues facing patriarchy, and without the inclusion of men in the modern feminist discourse, no true advancement will be possible. Men can therefore start today, by “taking action online to defend women’s rights”; and more particularly “men can play an important role in challenging other men over their sexism, misogyny, and violence by calling it out, supporting victims, or bearing witness.”
Edited by Yu Xuan Zhao
Carla is a U2 student at McGill studying International Development in the Honors Program with a concentration in Environment. She’s a citizen of the world; as she has French nationality, is of Italian descent, was born in Sweden, lived in the USA and is now living in Canada! Some of her main interests include human rights and most particularly women’s rights, climate change mitigation and poverty alleviation.