https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 26 May 2026 03:46:54 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist/page/2#post-1777425 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 22:58:27 +0000 fairy 1777425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think there is a lot of misconception about what "feminist" means because many people seem to take it to mean man-haters when it is about equality. I definitely consider myself a feminist and my DH considers himself one, too :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist/page/2#post-1777384 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 22:13:00 +0000 irene 1777384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought about this many years ago. While I admire feminists and feminism, and I am outspoken on things that I do care about, and I do get very angry and speaks my mind when I, or other women, are being treated in an unfair light because of our gender, I don't think I am qualified to say I am a feminist.</p> <p>I guess I am just myself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist/page/2#post-1777341 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 21:31:39 +0000 Ms.Mermaid 1777341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a feminist and I make a point of making statements like, "as a feminist it really bothers me xyz" so that other people equate being a feminist with being a reasonable human being who believes in common sense and equality, and not with being some crazy person who believes women are superior to men or that women have to work to contribute to society. </p> <p>@Raindrop I highly recommend reading Elizabeth Warren's The Two Income Trap, which explains in a much more nuanced way the economic impact of women joining the workforce - basically her arugment was that once there were more dual income households in the middle class, the middle class shifted into a lifestyle in which two incomes were much more necessary to afford a house in a good school district, etc., and families no longer had the safety net of a stay-at-home spouse who could also join the workforce in the event of hardship, but that there are a ton of other issues which have led to this kind of inflation as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist/page/2#post-1777293 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 20:59:46 +0000 bisous 1777293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Feminist and proud! And so is my SO. I do not believe women are better than men and I do believe in equality of all people. </p> <p>So disappointing that feminism seems misunderstood these days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist/page/2#post-1777251 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 20:31:55 +0000 mrsrain 1777251@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, and proud of it. My husband is a feminist, too... couldn't have married him if he wasn't. I am currently a stay at home mom, and primary caregiver for our daughter, but that's the choice I made for myself and my family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist/page/2#post-1777249 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 20:30:18 +0000 Raindrop 1777249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: Sorry. I learned this when I was younger and studying this for a course I was taking. I wrote a paper but there is no way I can find sources for that. Also it was kind of long ago.</p> <p>The main point I was trying to make was that one downfall of feminism was that it didn't uplift women that wanted to stay at home.</p> <p>Feminism in it's core I believe was to support a woman's choice weather she wanted to stay at home or work outside the home. Somehow it got twisted to be only supporting work outside the home women.</p> <p>I think you make some good points. :)</p> <p>ETA: I just wanted to add another note. I'm not against feminism in anyway I hope that it doesn't come across that way.</p> <p>The reason I ended up taking a course about this was in the middle of my college experience some of my "friends/classmates" told me straight to my face that if they ever find out I became a stay at home mom that they will personally come to my house and make me go back to work because a person with as much education as I was getting and the skills to apply should not stay at home and "waste" it. They even said used the word feminism, saying women didn't fight for me to end up as a stay at home mom.</p> <p>To me I was shocked because I didn't feel like that was what feminism was and thus I took a class to see why they felt that way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist/page/2#post-1777230 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 20:22:40 +0000 yoursilverlining 1777230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Raindrop: Hmmm. Care to post/cite any of these articles and timelines? I see a lot of assumption of causation above; and in the articles I quickly googled. </p> <p>The rate of married women working outside the home has steadily increased in the US since the '30's; spiking a bit during WW2 and then rising steadily following the war. Even in the 50's - the stuff faux-nostalgia is built on - some 30%+ of divorced or widowed women were working outside the home and a quarter of married women were working outside the home. Historical inflation rates are available online and I don't see any real obvious and sustained trending happening when "feminism really took off" - or post feminism when more women are working than ever before.</p> <p>Except for upper class white women, women have always worked outside the home in large numbers. We have a soft spot for a false history of the "traditional" role of women and a fair amount of junk science looking to lay all sorts of blame on women. </p> <p><a href="http://www.pbs.org/fmc/book/2work8.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.pbs.org/fmc/book/2work8.htm</a></p> <p>Here’s a link to historical inflation rates: <a href="http://www.usinflationcalculator.com/inflation/historical-inflation-rates/" rel="nofollow">http://www.usinflationcalculator.com/inflation/historical-inflation-rates/</a><br /> And a good inflation calculator from the DOL: <a href="http://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist/page/2#post-1777092 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 19:14:51 +0000 Raindrop 1777092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Leialou: "Someone once told me inflation happened because women went to work outside of the home!!"</p> <p>This is somewhat true. The feminist movement was great and it did help with empowering women. I can't really imagine what America would be like without it. I think as a woman we would definitely not have the freedoms we have now.</p> <p>The problem was that some where along the lines someone and maybe not the people that started the movement but some leaders later on of the movement made the "mistake" (maybe it wasn't a mistake) was that for some reason it uplifted the tradition male role of working outside of the home and basically degraded the traditional female role of staying at home.</p> <p>This caused women to think that they wanted (maybe even needed) to work outside of the home which may or may not intentional. Which then cause more families to have duel income which increased competition in the work force which lowered salaries and increased demand on products to make life easier since women were looking for more conveniences since they were working outside the home now and not working on the home economy. </p> <p>It's possible that this might have happened anyways but looking at timelines and articles of the subject you can definitely see this trend happened around when feminism really took off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist/page/2#post-1777021 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 18:47:24 +0000 MoonMoon 1777021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. And I'm going to just come out and say it, most of those I see in real life and online who say they're not don't seem to know its meaning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist/page/2#post-1776957 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 17:59:27 +0000 immabeetoo 1776957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: that's actually what I take from feminism- that women before us fought so we have the choice (acknowledging that it isn't a choice for all, for financial reasons) to stay home or go to work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist/page/2#post-1776926 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 17:43:11 +0000 MsLipGloss 1776926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>WORD </p> [attach=2207/14/n96sfz.503x502.Feminism-gets-BTFO---Imgur.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist/page/2#post-1722149 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 20:29:40 +0000 MrsSCB 1722149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>100 percent yes. I think it's interesting to see how many people find feminism to be "exclusive." I've never thought of it that way. There are proponents of all kinds of movements, and that doesn't mean they're anti-other people or think people who fit their cause are better than others. I believe in the equality of all people, but that doesn't preclude being a feminist anymore than the fact that I consider myself to be a proponent of LGBTQ causes means I'm anti-heterosexual.</p> <p>@imbali: @silva: Totally agree :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist/page/2#post-1722147 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 20:27:31 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1722147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would say I'm a feminist before saying I'm not. But if one asked and I said yes, I'm a feminist, I would be quick to clarify that it means equality between genders, not that one is superior- as some feminists believe, and not that there can't be traditional gender roles, and most importantly- I support the freedom for a woman to choose her path in life. My biggest complaint with feminism is how it puts down women who want to stay home with their children because they're not contributing to the workforce or "power of women" or whatever. I could be a SAHM and still be a feminist. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist/page/2#post-1722134 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 20:21:37 +0000 Maysprout 1722134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's always seemed weird to me to say I'm a feminist because I support equal pay. That just seems like common sense to me. Label the people who think women deserve less just for being women as sexist or something. </p> <p>But I have taken more interest in pregnancy/baby issues after going through it and in that respect I do think I'm a bit of a feminist since I do want to promote discussion on womens issues and how to make improvements. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist/page/2#post-1721586 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 15:40:10 +0000 coopsmama 1721586@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I absolutely am for equal rights for men and women and am so grateful that we've come so far in that "fight" and know that the US is miles ahead of other parts of the world in terms of that equality. But I probably wouldn't call myself a feminist, though, because I hate some of the sentiments that get attached to it like others above have mentioned. I don't hate men in the least - I just think women are equally capable and deserve the same rights! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist/page/2#post-1721582 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 15:38:28 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1721582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loveisstrange: yup.</p> <p>I am not a feminist, err...rather, I prefer not to be referred to as one. I don't want to be referred to as anything, really. I am just a person who thinks all humans deserve equality and that all people (homosexual, black, white, handicapped, women, old, young) should have equal opportunities to be ambitious, strong, empowered, educated, athletic, nerdy, talented, rich, vocal....Furthermore, I just want to live in a world where those words mentioned above do not equate to a certain "type" of person, but rather that those words are words that can be used to describe anyone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist/page/2#post-1721563 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 15:34:08 +0000 imbali 1721563@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would identify myself as a feminist for sure. </p> <p>I think what can be difficult re feminism as anti-men is that empowerment is often seen as relating to power, i.e. if women are empowered then men are naturally losing power (which actually is a concern is some situations)... empowerment (if you're going by a community psych definition) is about ensuring no power struggles (everyone is equal and no one is in charge of anyone else). so empowering women in that sense of the word is very definitely not anti-men. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist/page/2#post-1721306 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 14:14:23 +0000 Purpledaisy 1721306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Of course! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist/page/2#post-1721158 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 13:16:31 +0000 rachiecakes 1721158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: I haven't seen 'riot grrrl' on the internet in a very long time :) love it</p> <p>Yes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist#post-1721078 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 12:47:19 +0000 Silva 1721078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: the modern feminist movement is definitely concerned with the equality of everyone. In college gender studies classes typically focus on all inequalities, as well as teaching the history of the feminist movement. Third wave feminism typically focuses on the intersectionality of oppression, and is more inclusive than say, the second wave of the 60s/70s.</p> <p>Aligning yourself as a feminist does not mean you don't believe in equality for everyone. Personally, I am proud to have it as part of my identity, and my husband as part of his. It saddens me that so many women no longer find feminism relevant to their lives, or are ashamed by the negative connotations that the word may inaccurately carry. It's a "bad word" because of misogyny. All the more reason to be a feminist! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist#post-1720833 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 11:19:27 +0000 travellingbee 1720833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Of course. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist#post-1720818 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 11:13:55 +0000 hilsy85 1720818@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep. Pretty sure I would have been thrown out of college (or left in a huff) if I wasn't :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist#post-1720801 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 11:05:26 +0000 mlm2934 1720801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: you said it better than I could! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist#post-1720798 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 11:03:18 +0000 Arden 1720798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In the sense that I believe in absolute equality, yes. But I've never used the word to describe myself just because it comes with no many misconceptions. </p> <p>I'm equally passionate about the rights of minorities and the LGBTQ community as I am about the rights of women. The word "feminist" seems exclusive. I simply believe in equality - womens equality is no more and no less important than anyone else's. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist#post-1720431 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 09:14:15 +0000 anonysquire 1720431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No. Not at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist#post-1720398 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 09:05:04 +0000 dagret 1720398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. But I feel like it's almost a dirty word in our society. And there's quite the spectrum of feminism -- just like any belief system. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist#post-1720378 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 08:56:19 +0000 .twist. 1720378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loveisstrange: yep. Ditto! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist#post-1720366 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 08:52:07 +0000 LuLu Mom 1720366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I believe in equal rights/pay for men and women. I also have no problem playing the "traditional" role of wife in my house cooking and providing a home for my family. However, I'm a very independent woman and I also expect DH to pull his weight with parenting and housework. I wouldn't say I'm a feminist but much more so a modern woman? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist#post-1720358 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 08:47:48 +0000 immabeetoo 1720358@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes 100% as is my husband. I don't really get not wanting to use that phrase, honestly. But my view is skewed because of all the positive associations I have with it from college and my upbringing I guess! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-consider-yourself-a-feminist#post-1720330 Wed, 25 Jun 2014 08:37:44 +0000 Lindsay05 1720330@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: I understand that. That was kinda my point. I just think that the term is losing that meaning about empowering women and more about anti-men. Sorry if that wasnt clear :) </p>