Sunday, April 22, 2007
Male Feminists
(Not all the male feminists I know are like this by a long shot, but I've still noticed this trend recently.)
I'm sick of having a conversation with a guy about feminism, reproductive rights, etc., and having them say: "Well, even though I'm male, I'm still a feminist (or pro-choice or whatever)." No one should have to be defensive about their gender and I think it's commendable that people can connect with others beyond those arbitrary boundaries. That's like saying a heterosexual person can't support gay rights or an ethnic majority must automatically be racist. Feminism isn't about pitting women against men, but recognizing a system that disenfranchizes all sorts of people by endorsing strict social roles (gender roles included). I'm never the one who implies that men can't be feminists; it's always them. Which begs the question: do they really understand feminism?
I'm sick of having a conversation with a guy about feminism, reproductive rights, etc., and having them say: "Well, even though I'm male, I'm still a feminist (or pro-choice or whatever)." No one should have to be defensive about their gender and I think it's commendable that people can connect with others beyond those arbitrary boundaries. That's like saying a heterosexual person can't support gay rights or an ethnic majority must automatically be racist. Feminism isn't about pitting women against men, but recognizing a system that disenfranchizes all sorts of people by endorsing strict social roles (gender roles included). I'm never the one who implies that men can't be feminists; it's always them. Which begs the question: do they really understand feminism?
# posted by Anna : 3:47 PM
