When I first met my partner, Jake, he seemed like the poster child for modern feminism. Sure, I believed in equal treatment for all genders too, but discussing it made me squirm. I, like many young women, craved approval. Jake would bring up topics like wage gaps and the prevalence of sexism at work, and everyone would nod along, clearly impressed by his insights (and rightly so!). But when I tried to voice my thoughts, I could sense the discomfort in the room. People would shift in their seats, look away, or even yawn.
In our society, women demanding their rights often face backlash. I found myself feeling selfish for wanting things like a private space to pump breast milk. I’d think, “What about the women in oppressive regimes?” as if my fight for rights here in Utah paled in comparison to theirs. So I fell silent, standing beside Jake as he passionately discussed feminist ideals. I felt a mix of admiration and frustration. What bothered me was that he could speak freely without repercussions, while I felt stifled.
Then one day, I looked at my three kids—two daughters and a son—and realized that by staying quiet, I was doing them a disservice. What if my son wanted to take on a non-traditional role, like being a stay-at-home dad? What if one of my daughters aspired to be a police officer? Suddenly, I realized it was okay to risk being seen as “demanding” or “angry” in my pursuit of equality. I slowly began to reclaim my feminist voice.
Small victories gave me the confidence to lean into my feminist identity. For instance, when I mentioned to colleagues my intention to report our boss for intimidation, they dismissed me as overly sensitive. Yet, months later, another co-worker thanked me because my complaint had paved the way for her to be heard. I was on my journey to becoming a proud, unapologetic feminist.
During a search for feminist quotes, I stumbled upon countless women expressing regret about identifying as feminists or assuring others they weren’t “that kind” of feminist. This saddened me. Then I found this gem from Helen Mirren: “I think every woman in our culture is a feminist. They may refuse to articulate it, but if you were to take any woman back 40 years and say, ‘Is this the world you want to live in?’ they would say ‘no’.”
Mirren hit the nail on the head. Women need to stop apologizing for wanting equality. We should uplift both women and men who advocate for equal pay and support those who speak out about issues like breastfeeding in public. Let’s not shy away when a woman shares her experiences with workplace harassment. The truth is, women’s voices are often met with skepticism in ways that men’s voices are not.
Now I’ve noticed that when Jake makes a statement about gender equality, he’s met with applause. I could say the exact same thing and be labeled as preachy. This isn’t about me or him; it’s about the societal norms we’re challenging. That’s why we need to keep the conversation going.
It’s perfectly fine to disagree with someone, but take a moment to explore the reasons behind your discomfort. If the Women’s March made you uneasy, would you have felt the same about a Men’s March for Women’s Rights? Likely not; men would be viewed as progressive for supporting women.
Remember: being pro-woman doesn’t mean being anti-man. Gender equality benefits everyone. We must continue these discussions for the sake of our daughters and sons. So, go ahead and give a high-five to a feminist, whether they be male or female, and keep spreading the good vibes.
For more insights, you might find it helpful to check out this article on home insemination. And if you’re interested in pregnancy resources, the March of Dimes offers valuable information on pregnancy week by week.
Summary
This article recounts the personal journey of embracing feminism and overcoming the fear of judgment. It highlights the importance of advocating for gender equality and the necessity of having open discussions about women’s rights. The author reflects on societal perceptions and emphasizes the need to support one another in the quest for equality.