Savannah Billingham-Hemminger

WGST112 Analytical Paper 3

Professor Collier

4/12/15

Analytical Paper 3

A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle. This quote by Gloria Steinem

sums up a lot of the current feelings towards women in our society. I think it shows how women

are independent and capable on their own, in the workplace, etc. This desire from women for

justice and equality is a commonplace idea that many hold, men included. However, it is not as

commonplace to hear a person identify as a feminist. With feminism being the belief that women

should have equal rights, a higher percentage of self-proclaimed feminists would be expected.

However, the reason that many dont identify as feminist is because of stigma, which can hurt the

progression of equality, but there are visible and vocal ways to still support equality.

There are many ways in which feminism has become a stigmatized word. Think of a few

nicknames or mocking terms for feminism. There is feminazi, for example. I have personally

heard this word used by multiple people on multiple occasions, and it attaches such a strong

connotation to the word. Not only is it using a horrific historic event as a descriptor, but it also

compares the administrators in that event to people simply trying to get equal rights. That seems

a bit extreme. But with how much the word is used, and the joking tone it is used in, individuals

play it off as not being offensive. However, the use of words like this encourages further

stigmation and belief.

When stigma, such as that explained above, becomes a popular idea, it is infectious.

Many people, when feminism is brought up tend to associate it with the mocking terms. They
automatically think feminism is the belief the women should take over the world or that it is the

hatred of men. All these conjured ideas cause people to view feminism and feminists in a

negative light. Because of these perceptions, being a feminist has over time become socially

unacceptable. This is not because society isnt accepting womens rights, but they arent calling it

feminism. The word alone is being avoided because of the mixed feelings it may cause in

people.

Despite the fears of being a self-identified feminist, there are still ways that people can

support womens equality, or be profeminist. This is especially true for men. I appreciated the

article written by Byron Hurt because it shows a side of things that most men havent heard,

seen, or experienced before. They know terrible things occur to women every day, but many

dont realize the ways in which society may be encouraging it. I think the first step to doing so is

as Hunt says, Realiz[ing] that [some] had a lot to learn about gender, (WVFV, Article 103, p.

716). The next step is to set feminist priorities and keep them, (WVFV, Chapter 13, p.710).

This allows people to set their own personal goals for how they want to be profeminist. They

dont need to create and pass a bill, or travel the world giving presentations on feminism. It can

be as simple as cutting out gender insensitive terminology.

Overall while there are still issues that will take time to solve, it only takes one person to

start a movement. Similar to the domino effect, one person's beliefs will affect anothers and then

anothers, until it is a popular idea. We cant be sedentary creatures though. We cant assume the

next guy will take care of it. We should be the change that we want to see in the world, starting

today. That is why despite current stigmation, people can still be feminist, profeminist, or pro

womens rights. The more people take this approach on, the faster things will change.