Day 22 – Q 1.Is ‘feminism’ a wrongly perceived and widely misunderstood concept today? Critically comment. What in your opinion is the true meaning of feminism? Explain with the help of suitable examples.

1. Is ‘feminism’ a wrongly perceived and widely misunderstood concept today? Critically comment. What in your opinion is the true meaning of feminism? Explain with the help of suitable examples.

क्या नारीवाद को आज व्यापक रूप से गलत समझा जाता है? समालोचनात्मक टिप्पणी करें। आपकी राय में नारीवाद का सही अर्थ क्या है? उपयुक्त उदाहरणों की सहायता से समझाएँ।

Introduction: 

Feminism is the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of the equality of the sexes. It means that there should be equality of the sexes economically, socially, politically and personally.

Body: 

Misunderstood Concept of feminism:

Misunderstanding this concept had evidently caused many people–both men and women–to hate it and stir away from it. The concept of feminism is misunderstood today in the following ways: 

• “Feminism” is considered synonymous to male-hating, men-bashing, and female-superiority.
• It does support the notion about how all men are the same or that they are all sexist.
• One cannot be feminist if they love marriage institution and prefer having kids and being housewives.
• Men cannot be feminist. Many may view feminism merely as a “woman’s issue” and therefore something men are excluded from.
• Many men believe it is not “manly” to be a feminist. 
• Worst of all, some men think giving women equal rights means having to give up their own rights.
• Many women believe that given them special privileges is against feminism. For example, they don’t prefer sitting on seats reserved for women in bus or metro train.

This false definition is widely accepted and is easily the reason the word feminism has acquired such a negative connotation. The subjective definition of the word feminism has been a topic of debate for years, perhaps centuries, and with various arguments over what the word means, the true meaning of the term for gender equality is lost.

Truth and reality about feminism: In Reality, feminism is very different from the misunderstood concept. In true sense, it will have the following component.

• It advocates for both men and women receive equal opportunities in all spheres of life.
• Women should get a fair share of the rights they deserve and gain economic independence along with social and political equality.
• Women should enjoy their discretions and should have decision making power for their own lives. For example, decisions of career and profession to choosing dress and life partner, she should be given discretion.
• In no way does it mean to strip men of their rights and considered women superior to men.
• One need not be a woman to support feminism– you can be male, female, or any gender to advocate for women’s rights.
• Cultural and religious constraints should no longer hold women who are strong, intelligent and have a sense in achieving what they believe in. 
• Feminism is only trying to level the playing field, not give women extra privileges.
• Being a feminist does not mean you have to leave your husband or son(s) behind and become a solitary figure. It does not mean you are against the institution of marriage or that you don’t value giving birth. Feminism is not against women who want to become mothers; it is against society’s idea where women are regarded as nothing more than childbearing machines.

Conclusion:

The word “feminism” has been dragged through the mud and has been misunderstood by so many people the world over, but if we are to see greater strides in equality for all, it is necessary to address major misconceptions and include men, women, and all genders in our quest to attain true equality.