Men and Feminism

The word feminist has usually been thought of as a feminine word describing a woman. A well known stereotype is the man hating femi-nazi woman. (which to my knowledge does not exist) However, in these modern times the term has also been used to describe men. The term "pro feminist" also is used for those who argue against using "Feminist" for men. I personally think it is okay to use the term feminist for men. I feel if one believes every one, no matter gender or sex, is equal then they can use the term. I do not want to exclude someone from something so important. It's like saying a white person can not be a civil rights activist, obviously that is ridiculous because like civil rights, feminism is a social movement.

In My Red Couch, the book you all know I am currently rereading, there is a story about a couple who meet in college and start dating. The woman is Lutheran and the man is Presbyterian. They had very different upbringings. Their hometowns are different in size and politics. She is conservative and he is more progressive. The man claims himself as a feminist.

Starting out the woman did not really call herself a feminist. She thought men were the head of the household, they drive the car, and the people in her hometown are basically afraid of feminism. As the two dated the woman realized her own feminism through him. They also grew together in their Christianity. The man grew up asking questions about Christianity and it was a family past time to have large theological discussions, but not so much for the woman and her family. She learned how to openly discuss everything, so much that she was almost living in two worlds when she would go home and when she returned to college.

They also learned that being in a feminist relationship means finding the right balance between being individuals and also as a team. One quote I liked was

"This balance might be the product of a healthy relationship between two Christian feminists that emphasizes trust, equality, and regard for each other. And the communication skills that serve our relationship also serve us well in our other relationships."

That right there to me is what a feminist relationship is about. I find it so awesome that the man was a feminist and helped the woman realize she was too. It's not the normal set up you would think of. Stories like this prove to me that feminism is not a women only club, it is open to all sexes, genders, races, ethnicities and orientations. This is where I see feminism going, and really where it has been going in the last ten years or so. I have a feeling that the wonderful women of the second wave of feminism in the 60's did not see men included in this, but times change and generations have new ideas and new theories.

Some cool links on Men and Feminism:
XY Online
Jezebel Article
Fbomb Article