Feminism was a movement at one point in time. It is an ideology now. It was a movement to unite women together. This movement was seeking equality and equal status for women and men. In order to possess opportunity and autonomy feminism was empowered. The power and beauty of feminism were into equality. As radical feminism came into light, the real meaning and power of feminism have lost. It is so isolated nowadays, from only women who claimed to support it. Modern or radical feminism is no longer about equality. It tries to put men down in all aspects, whereas the literal meaning of feminism is to seek ‘equality’, not ‘superiority’. It is not really accessible to all the women of the times. Feminist should certainly stand for women, but not against men.
In the current political climate, it is so difficult actually practice feminism to its core. Following or practicing feminism can be a gradual process or a belief that can strike suddenly. However, just having an ideology of a feminist is not enough and certainly, does not makes you a feminist either. In a world which is most anti-feminist, it can be difficult to incorporate the values of feminism completely. Coming out as a feminist should be done by everyone though, but the world challenges everyone big time. Let us first figure out who exactly is a feminist?
Feminism is an ideology which refers to a variety of ideas, beliefs, agendas, and movements for action. The very basic definition of feminism would be a belief where man and woman are totally equal on all platform. Feminism usually addresses social, economic, cultural and political disparities of all the rights and powers of all human beings. It focuses on everything that is not for the advantage of a woman. All it wanted to do is establish equal opportunities for all the women.
On the other hand, a feminist is a person who has all the faith, behavior and beliefs based on the ideology of feminism. The theory of feminism mainly concentrates on the issues that surround woman. Feminism talks about gender equality, whereas a feminist whether he is a male or a female supports gender equality. One more thing that people usually believe or have a myth that all the feminists are only women. Ironically, that is not a true statement. A man can equally bat for women’s rights and opportunities. The activities take place under the ideology of feminism are called ‘Feminist activities.' A feminist usually speaks and writes about uplifting the various aspects concerning women and their rights. Let us now see how can you become a feminist.
#1. First Of All Question Your Learned Assumptions Or Misconception
We all witness the situations where feminism and feminist people are judged. Sometimes these judgments are so natural that people do not intend to do it but still do it. Everyone needs to realize that feminism is not an antisocial or anti-men agenda. It follows on the path to embracing femininity. The power of womanhood is celebrated in the ideology of feminism. So next time if you catch yourself or someone else, just correct you about the misconceptions and assumptions that you have had about feminism. Avoid jumping to the conclusion and try to understand the perspective of the other person.
#2. Be Aware Of The Patriarchy In Our Society
Everyone acknowledges this, the role of patriarchy is huge in the concept of femininity. If the society was not patriarchal, there was no need to have a movement like feminism. Recognizing that we belong to a society which only celebrates masculinity makes it even more important for the feminist to take charge of the society. Under the patriarchal system, nobody is really given a fair chance or opportunity to perform their domains. As a result, women are hardly given a chance to explore their creativity. Heterosexual men take the society under patriarchal society control for those heterosexual men.
#3. Acknowledge Your Privileges That Society Provides You
One should definitely acknowledge the privileges that he or she has got. There is no such thing that only men get the privileges in all the things. There is a dozen of times when a woman also gets so many opportunities just because of their gender. There are always two sides of a coin. Therefore, a male or a female should know where they are getting privileges and try to establish an equal practice to follow for themselves. Before changing anyone else, it is very important to change oneself. A man has a lot of privileges, and so does a woman.
#4. Share Equal Opportunities With Everyone Around You
It can be either in a relationship or the family. It is very important for you to establish an equal relationship with everyone around. Try and distribute equal opportunity if you have the will and power to do so. You can be a feminist only if you believe in the ideology of treating and providing opportunities to everyone equally. All the personal choices and preferences will determine you as a feminist or anti-feminist. Even in the personal relationship try and volunteer for having equal chances wherever you get the chance. It does not matter whether you are a man or a woman. This goes equally for both of you.
#5. Try And Maintain Equality In The Office
The workplace is something which can actually change the perspective of a lot of people. Try and opt for an unbiased behavior in the office to become a feminist. If you are a male employ, respect and embrace the choices of a fellow woman employ. Also if you are a woman employ to try and not use the girl card. Focus on your work and embrace the power of femininity. You can influence a lot of people in the office, therefore in the workplace, it is very significant to follow a curriculum which abandons sexism.
#6. Avoid Or Rather Stop Making Sexist Jokes Or References
It is usually thought that the comments on woman or man do not really affect people around. But it does, apparently. The one who is making the sexist comment might not realize that how much it can affect a person. Also, if you want to be a feminist, you need to stand for the women’s right, not tease them. Cracking a joke about sexism can be a huge disappoint on your feminist personality. It is just not done by men against women, it is, however, done by a lot of women as well that they crack jokes about men around them. That is a part of being sexist.
#7. Promote The Global Gender Equality Campaigns
An important part of being a feminist is to follow and accept the global agendas that are being done for empowering women. Making people and yourself aware about systematic prejudice against women and cultivating a sense of participation in improving these situations should also be done in order to expose the systematic inequality. Try and get to know the gender discrimination. Also, take steps to make them stop, if not globally, at least around you. If you fight for gender discrimination, you are a true feminist.
#8. Participate In Open And Healthy Debates On Feminism
Alright, this is also a significant thing to follow. Instead of avoiding the topics regarding women empowerment and feminism, go and witness or participate in those discussions and debates. By this step, you will get to explore your mind a lot. You will get to know the different perspective that people have regarding this ideology. You probably will be able to learn a lot. By sharing your positive thoughts regarding feminism, you can also aware a lot of people to incline towards it for a better world. Additionally, if you are being a part of all these debates, you are making your position stronger.
#9. Inculcate Feminism In Your Future Generation
Along with practicing the gender equality, try and inculcate the same qualities in your future generations. You can let your children also to have a positive perspective towards gender equality. In order to do that you should specifically raise your children by treating them equal. Give their education a great start by encouraging them to support feminism since the starting. The things that are taught in the childhood remains close to children, and it is easier to follow them as they become the habits.
#10. Empower Women Around You
There is an unfortunate tendency of the modern world to let each other down. Women themselves pull each other down. It is very important to treat everyone equally to set up a society which is free from the sexist people. Support and empower each other. Whether you are a man or a woman, try and support each other so that there can be a society in reality which is equal in all prospects.
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