When did feminism become a dirty word?

Question

I'm not from the 60's 70's etc and I find my generation is constantly FU**ED up by the previous generations trying to teach us lessons we have no fu**ing clue what your talking about! How about instead of highlighting the differences between men and women and confusing a new generation of men by telling them women are always equal to or greater than but never lesser to in any regards you just teach us the basics like everyone is equal (which you already do in like 1st grade social studies but then talk about how different everyone is) and back it up in paychecks! I mean does this sound familiar to those of you who lived through segregation? "Separate but Equal"? ITS FU**ING CONFUSING! So when any woman asking for equal pay has to start every sentence, "I'm not a feminist, women are no longer feminists, but..." Its hypocritical and makes no sense! So what happened to make this past generation so neurotic, why is feminism a dirty word?

Answer 1

As soon as the misogynist gynecologist created the tampon back in the 1930's.

Answer 2

I think that it is backlash. I think that our generation have been trained to consider feminist a bad word to keep us from allowing more change to happen, just because change is uncomfortable to all people involved. When people ask me if I am a feminist, I reply with "I believe women deserve equal rights with men, and I am willing to stand up to the injustices they face." As far as women and men now being considered equals in today's society, I don't believe that to be completely true. Yes, women now have a choice- they can work in the home or have a career. I think it would be great if our society could advance to the point where women don't have to decide because both partners are equally willing to pitch in and make the family thing happen, rather than the women being expected to make it happen. At this stage of the game, women's careers still suffer more than men's when children are introduced. Granted, a career is going to suffer- that is part of the sacrifice of having children. However, I think that a father should be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of children, as well. Maybe if our society expected this, men would stop taking off when parenthood and marriage goes through the not-so-fun times. Not only that, but women do not get paid equally. Nor do they experience the same freedom to explore their sexuality (without being labelled as 'sluts'. Less than one-third of our politicians are female even though over half the population is female. Many churches believe that women cannot hold positions of power. And the list goes on and on and on. The people that say women have it good now are obviously still upset about the changes made in the past century, and lack the perception to see how things are today versus how they really should be.

Answer 3

Because activist feminists have got entangled in a number of issues that have little to do with equality.



Their is an ambiguity in the meaning of "feminist".



Some people think feminists are people who think men and women are equal. By that definition, most of us are feminists today. Many don't use the term because the figure it goes without saying.



The feminist activist community has got involved in a number of controversial issues. Abortion, for instance. Regardless of how you feel on the issue, you must acknowledge their are some religious people of both sexes who believe it to be murder. The feminist links to the "pro-choice" movement made many religious people distance themselves from the word.



Similarly, sometimes feminist concerns about sexual harassment has slid into a kind of enforced puritanical morality. This has frightened off some people who have no problem with the equality of the sexes thing.

Answer 4

"confusing a new generation of men by telling them women are always equal to or greater than but never lesser to in any regards"-that is the message of feminism.



Problem is women are not perfect, but they're taking the message a little too serious. Have you ever notice you rarely see a woman look like an idiot on TV or the movies or even in print ads? All you ever see is tough, cool, confidant, and dominant. Talk about ego stroking in the worst way.

Answer 5

Well, feminism became a dirty word when it began to represent man-hating rather than equality: when deeply misandristic and even genocidal authors began to rise in popularity among feminists, and when legislation that generated new inequalities (to the disadvantage of men rather than women) rather than seeking to eliminate them began to characterize the movement. Incidentally, as you seem to have noticed as well, this change initially took hold circa 1970.



Incidentally, I think this is good reason to consider 'feminism' a dirty word in the modern sense. I stand for gender egalitarianism: I strive for a world where one's gender doesn't prescribe one's personality, career potential, legal standing, or any number of other irrelevant things. But I ardently don't call myself a feminist - not because I don't want others confused as to what I stand for so much as because I don't want modern feminists to be able to leech credibility from me. I don't want some NOW man-hater saying "look, [insert my name here] is a "feminist;" if you think he's doing the world good, you must agree with us." For those who believe in gender equality, I think 'feminism' SHOULD be a dirty word.

Answer 6

Sitcoms are usually written by men, who can laugh at themselves and at others. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that it's a joke - that Marge Simpson doesn't really have blue hair, or that the mother in Everyone Loves Raymond is based on a stereotype or that the women in Will & Grace are terrifying. Please don't tell me that it is only the men who are portrayed as stupid. If that is how real women behave, I want to get off this planet. Strong, smart women might be how you see them, but often they come across as controlling and manipulative.

However, if you object, complain to the relevant authorities. As I said, most of these shows are written by men.

As for when feminism became a dirty word - it isn't, to me. But then, I was from the 60's and 70's and can really appreciate how far women have come.

It is easy to lump men and women together - the truth is we are different in many ways. A woman doesn't have the physical strength of a man, nor does a man give birth. We are equal though, in respect. Men should be respected, and so should women.

They shouldn't be belittled or disparaged.

Some feminists have come across as aggressive, just as many of those who feel they are hard done by through feminism present themselves.

As for kids watching Scrubs - well, I wouldn't let my children watch it. It's not suitable.

Answer 7

When they changed the definition of 'equality' to something completely different from the dictionary's definition.

Answer 8

It was Gloria Steinhem who changed the face of feminist. Steinhem is a very beautiful woman who truly believes in her ideals. Prior to her, feminist were butch, fat, and ugly, at least the ones they showed in the media burning their bras. Steinhem changed that whole image.

Answer 9

When it stopped being about rights for women and changed into a powerful movement that started infringing upon men's rights, with immense political clout.

Answer 10

when all the feministas and feminazis introduced dominant arm twisting techniques and decided to"dominate" men becoz men were "inferior" to them.