Feminism was a bad word. It was something that I never wanted to be. I didn’t hate men, or blame them for all the evils of the world, which is what I thought it meant to be a feminist. But that’s not what feminism is about. It took me many years, but finally, I see that and I now feel more comfortable calling myself a feminist.
Feminist is not an easy word for me to claim because I also have to reconcile being a feminist with being a Christian.
I do still hold true the Biblical principles of the home that I was raised on. I believe that the man is the head of the home, and the woman is the heart. The God I worship is a God of order and this was the design He gave to the home. I still believe and respect that.
I wanted to mention this because being a feminist in no one way negates my Christian beliefs. Anyone can be a feminist.
Here are just a few reasons I want to be a feminist:
Because women should be able to choose any life path without being judged
If you want to get married and have 20 children, then do it. If you don’t want to get married and never have kids, then don’t. There are all kinds of life options out there for women, and no one path makes you any more or less of a woman. Or a feminist.
Because I’m tired of the media telling us that there is only one kind of beauty
The media tells us that we have to be a size two, have perfect skin, and long, full hair to be beautiful. It’s a lie. We don’t. The truth is women don’t even have to be beautiful, if we don’t want to. And if we do, we’ll choose our own guidelines for beauty!
Because I’m tired of women being afraid to walk down the street alone
I work third shift, and one night I had a lady ask me if I would have someone walk her and her children to their car. And of course, I did. I understood her fear, but it also made me angry. Not at her, but at our world. A young mother should be able to shop anytime of the day or night and feel that she and her children are safe. The fact that she, and all other women can’t, should make everyone angry.
Because strong women still have to defend their femininity
Read this article about how Serena Williams and other female athletes are body shamed. It is written by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
There are some things about “feminist” ideas that I don’t agree with. I don’t blame the “white man” and his privilege for all that is wrong in our society. I’m a Christian, so I place the blame on sin. I don’t think that we should promote women just to fill a diversity need. Instead, we need to mentor more women so that they are able to earn and take those positions for themselves.
I believe that at its core, Feminism is a good thing. But all good things can be twisted and made into something that they aren’t.
For me, Feminism is about equality and opportunities for everyone. It’s about women having choices. It’s about women being safe in their own bodies. All those things are good! So, why shouldn’t I want to be a part of that?
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Are you a feminist? A Christian? Do you find it hard to reconcile the two? What are your thoughts on feminism? Let me know in the comments!
7 Responses
Hi! I am also both a feminist and a Christian. It took some thinking and struggling, but I no longer struggle to reconcile the two.
Have you read that book Jesus Feminist?
No I haven’t. I had heard about it though. Is it good?
I am definitely and wholeheartedly a feminist…and I’m glad you know what a feminist is now and that it’s not about hating men or whatnot. 😀 YAY. I like your list *nods* Although I do believe quite firmly in the equality part…particularly that I don’t think men should ever automatically be in control just because of their gender. But omg I love how you said: “Feminism is about equality and opportunities for everyone.” ABSOLUTELY. COULDN’T AGREE MORe. 😀
Thanks for stopping by @ Paper Fury!
I’m glad that I know what it is too! Feminism is so much more than what some people would have us believe. 🙂
That’s interesting. I’m afraid of any kind of extreme. I think that feminist movement was necessary in the 60s but is not now in our country. Even if we are not paid as much as men (yeah, still that fight…) but look at all the new dads, they are great, they try to do as much as they can to help. That’s great! I always try to see feminism from the man point of view.
xx cathy
I do think feminism can be too hard on men. But it’s more inclusive than it use to be. And I love the the new dad’s as you said! That is awesome! 🙂
I am both a Christian and a Feminist. I am older than you, and have had to fight for respect for most of my life. I have been sexually harassed by men in the workplace for way too long, and seen women make half what men make for the same work, and heard women called ugly names because they showed strength (threatening to men I suppose) and thought we were getting beyond it. After all I now only have to be around men strong enough to respect women since I no longer leave the house to work.
Recently I had to relive it, seeing and hearing a man laughing about overpowering women because he has money. Here we still are…. you’re young but it hasn’t always been easy to get someone to take your seriously when you complain about harassment. I know.