OP-ED: It’s Time for Men to Man up and Embrace Feminism
by Cristina Glakas
WHAT IS THE first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “feminism”? Do you think equal rights? Or do you associate feminism with man-hating? The first problem of feminism is the lack of agreement on what it means. By definition, feminism is “the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men”. It is the belief that men and women deserve equality in all opportunities, treatment, respect, and social rights. That doesn’t sound so bad, right?
One criticism about feminism is that today’s feminist movement is seen as an educated White women’s movement. It fails to account for a broader definition. All people—including women—have many different identities; they are not defined by just one dimension. The patterns of oppression women experience are influenced by not only by gender but also other identities such as race, class, ability, and ethnicity. Feminism needs to be an inclusive concept—not simply limited to women who are white, straight, able-bodied, and middle class.
Another critique is that the focus is only about women. There is resistance to feminism precisely because it is called feminism. The term has French origins circa 1880, coming from words femme, meaning woman, and the suffix -ism which is a political identity. So yes, the word “feminism” derives from the word “women” but the movement of feminism is about gender equality. Therefore, feminism is just as much about men as it is about women.
Patriarchy is detrimental to young boys and men. In Emma Watson’s HeForShe speech, she said, “We don’t often talk about men being imprisoned by gender stereotypes… Men don’t have the benefits of gender equality either.” These pressures of male gender stereotypes in the United States are examined in the documentary “The Mask You Live In: An exploration of American masculinity.” At a young age, boys learn that “express[ing] compassion or empathy is to show weakness” and “hear confusing messages that force them to repress their emotions, establish hierarchies, and constantly prove their masculinity. American society’s failure to recognize and care for the social and emotional well-being of our boys contributes to a nation of young men who navigate adversity and conflict with an incomplete emotional skill set. Whether boys and later men have chosen to resist or conform to this masculine norm, there is loneliness, anxiety, and pain.”
So how can feminism help men? As Emma Watson said, “Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong. It is time that we all perceive gender on a spectrum, not as two opposing sets of ideals.”
No nation has achieved gender equality, not even the United States. Although America has made great strides in gender equality, women still face sexual harassment, domestic violence, and rape. Women are not paid for equal work, averaging 77 cents to every dollar a man makes, but with minority women earning even less: African-American women and Latina women make less, only 64 and 53 cents respectively. Women face a glass-ceiling in which they still do not advance and occupy higher-level positions. Women currently hold only 4.8 percent of CEO positions at Fortune 500 companies and only 17 percent of elected offices in Congress.
Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel Peace Prize winner, spoke of the United Nation’s hypocrisy in promoting the representation of women in higher professional positions. One of the male ambassadors with whom she discussed the UN’s attempt to increase women’s role to hold 10 percent of management positions—currently at 2 percent—snickered by saying that it was difficult to find qualified women. In an institution that is supposed to be setting the example, an institution with extremely educated workforce, why should it be difficult finding a qualified women?
The second article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.” We are in the 21st century in one of the greatest nations in the world. It is time to achieve true gender equality, for the benefit of all. And for that, feminism should be recognized as the means to fulfill that promise. Feminism should not be feared; it should be embraced.
Cristina Glakas is a U-M senior from Potomac, Maryland. In 2015 she expects to graduate with a B.A. in International Studies.