Let’s take a moment to reflect on a word that often raises eyebrows and sparks heated debates: feminism.
For many, it’s a term that’s met with discomfort, skepticism, or even disdain. You’ve likely heard people dismiss it, or maybe you’ve even been guilty of brushing it off yourself. But why does the word “feminism” trigger such strong reactions?
Is it because it challenges the status quo? Or is it because, for some, it feels like an attack on their way of life, their identity, or their masculinity? Let’s be honest: this discomfort with feminism isn’t just about a word—it’s about the underlying issues it addresses,
the power structures it questions, and the inequalities it seeks to dismantle. But before we jump to conclusions, let’s break it down and understand why, as a man, I too believe in feminism and why it’s something everyone—regardless of gender—should support.
Let’s face it: The word “feminism” often makes many men uncomfortable. They view it as a threat to their masculinity and as an attack on their way of life.
When feminism is brought up in conversation, many men will either avoid the topic, make a dismissive remark, or even walk away from the discussion entirely.
Recently, some women have even expressed opposition to feminism. There’s a Facebook page called “Women Against Feminism,” which could more accurately be called “Women Against Equality.”
In early July, BuzzFeed shared an article featuring images of women from this page holding signs that read things like, “I don’t need feminism because I’m not a victim” or “I don’t need feminism because I respect ALL humans… not just one gender.”
While they claim they don’t “need feminism,” it seems like they could benefit from a quick look in a dictionary. Clearly, they don’t grasp the basic meaning of feminism and what it stands for.
Several female celebrities have also recently spoken out against feminism. For instance, in June, Lana Del Rey stated, “Whenever people bring up feminism, I’m like, God. I’m just not really that interested.”
What she’s essentially saying is that she’s not really interested in equality. Feminism, by definition, is “the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.” This definition comes straight from Merriam-Webster.
Interestingly, Merriam-Webster notes that “feminism” is currently one of the most searched words on their site, ranking 54th in popularity. Hopefully, some of those searches are from followers of “Women Against Feminism”—it’s a good chance for them to learn the truth.
The key phrase in the definition is “men and women.” Feminism is not about vilifying men or casting women as victims—it’s about equality. That’s it. Simple and clear.
The issue, however, is that certain movements within feminism have caused the term to become stigmatized over time. But it’s important to remember that feminism has always been about overcoming the obstacles both genders face in society.
Yes, there are radical elements within the feminist movement, but these do not represent the movement as a whole.
At its core, feminism is about equality and solidarity. Anyone who tells you otherwise may need a bit of re-education—and maybe a hug.
In today’s world, women face far more challenges than men, and that’s a hard truth. Charles M. Blow’s article in The New York Times highlights the disturbing statistics about violence and discrimination against women.
Meanwhile, men are generally not subjected to the same physical and psychological violence. As a result, men are considered the privileged group. Furthermore, feminism isn’t just about empowering women; it’s also about reassessing masculinity and addressing the pressures placed on men by society.
In our culture, men are often expected to exhibit a particular brand of masculinity, reinforcing the divide between men and women.
The gender roles we’ve created only perpetuate inequality. s*xism and misogyny are ingrained in everyday life and, in many cases, are even considered acceptable.
As Blow points out, “Yes, we should all be feminists, but too often we believe that the plight of the oppressed is solely the responsibility of the oppressed. Fighting female objectification, discrimination, and violence against women is not only the job of women—it must also be the pursuit of men. Only when men recognize misogyny will we be able to eliminate it? Not all men are part of the problem, but all men must be part of the solution.”
The reality of violence against women is stark, as shown by statistics around the globe. What’s worse, women are often blamed and ridiculed when they are assaulted.
Take, for instance, the Steubenville rape case, where a teenage girl was s*xually assaulted while unconscious and then mocked online. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident, as evidenced by the case of Jada, another rape victim, whose story sparked the #IAmJada movement. The one positive aspect of this disturbing event is the solidarity shown by women in support of the victim.
In addition to physical violence, women face many other challenges, particularly in the workplace. According to the Center for American Progress, women continue to earn less than men. The gender pay gap has barely changed in recent years, and U.S. Census Bureau data reveals that women working full-time earn just 77% of what men earn, year-round.
Simply put, women are not granted the same respect and opportunities as men in the workplace.
This is not the kind of society I want to live in, which is why, as a man, I need feminism too.
I want to live in a world where men and women are equally respected and given the same opportunities—where women can walk out of the door every day without fear of being threatened, and where both genders are paid based on their skills and merit, not their gender.
Let me be clear: I’m not trying to be some “hero” for women; they don’t need men to “save” them.
And they definitely don’t need a white male to come to their rescue, considering that I am the embodiment of privilege. I recognize this privilege, but I also strive to be mindful of it.
I’m also not naive enough to believe that men can solve all the issues that women face. Ultimately, I just want to foster a more equal world, because our collective survival depends on healthy relationships between men and women.
Louis C.K. once joked in one of his routines, “How do women still go out with guys, when you consider that there is no greater threat to women than men? We’re the number one threat to women! Globally and historically, we’re the number one cause of injury and harm to women.” He added, “You know what our number one threat is? Heart disease.”
His words are both darkly humorous and sadly accurate.
That’s why we need to take feminism seriously. Clearly, many people need to be re-educated about what feminism is really about.
So, yes—I’m a man, and I am a feminist because I believe in equality for everyone.
I’m not asking for praise for this; I’m simply asking you to join me in this cause. If you’re not willing to, understand that by staying silent, you’re contributing to the degradation of humanity.
As Malala Yousafzai wisely said, “We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.”
In conclusion, feminism is not about demonizing men or elevating women to a position of superiority—it’s about ensuring equality for all, regardless of gender. As a society, we must move beyond outdated gender norms and work together to break down the barriers that prevent us from achieving true equality.
Men, too, have a vital role in this movement, as the fight for gender equality is not one that should fall solely on the shoulders of women. We all have a responsibility to challenge the status quo and to build a world where everyone is respected, valued, and afforded the same opportunities. It’s not just about fairness; it’s about the survival and prosperity of our collective humanity. We must stand together, acknowledge our privilege, and strive for a more just and egalitarian society. As Malala Yousafzai wisely said, “We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” Let’s work to ensure that no one is left behind.