‘The advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.”

That is essentially Google’s official definition of feminism, the so-called ‘f-word’ in today’s advocacy for women’s rights. Somehow, the term ‘feminism’ has earned a negative connotation to many men, and shockingly, women as well in modern day society.  The word has turned into somewhat of an insult, as many girls take offense in being called a feminist, and most boys take even more shame in being associated with such a term. Why? Supposedly, feminists are extremely hypocritical. Oh, they also all hate men.

Although it is very true that a handful of very extreme, radical feminists are against men, most feminists do not hate the general male population. In fact, most feminists do not feel any resentment at all towards men. In a similar matter, women do argue some points that are technically contradictive. For example, many people claim that a man should never lay a hand on a woman. However, if women were to be treated completely equally as men, as feminists demand, then what is the difference between hitting a man and hitting a woman?

Yes, perhaps the idea is a bit contradictory. If women were to be treated as complete equals to men, they should not receive special treatment. However, realistically, women are not protected by some ‘moral shield’ to prevent men from physically abusing them. They are actually protected by the law, like everybody else in America.

If feminists do not hate men, and if they are not as hypocritical as people claim them to be, why is the word used so negatively? Many young adults, especially high school and college aged men and women, do not understand the true meaning of feminism or the movement’s beliefs. Since they hear the term used in a negative fashion, they associate a poor meaning with the word.

As defined above, feminism supports women’s political, social, and economic equality to men. A very key word in the definition is ‘equality,’ because many people falsely believe that feminists demand superiority over men. Feminists do not state that the next president should be a female or that women should be paid more than men. They do not claim that all of society’s men are evil and worthy of contempt. Feminists simply want equality, and it is not too hard to understand why.

Women have definitely gained authority in many different political positions over the years. For instance, seventy-nine women are presently in the United States House of Representatives. Women are mayors, governors, secretaries in office, and senators. For example, iconic Hillary Clinton defied the typical role of First Lady of the United States; impressively, she was a state senator as well as the secretary of state under Barack Obama from 2009-2013.

Although the authority of women is more and more common as time progresses, a lot of these women face severe and cruel sexist comments from opponents, journalists, reporters, and the general public. In one instance, during Hillary Clinton’s presidential race, a man in the crowd at a rally stood and repeatedly shouted “Iron my shirt!”, referring to the stereotypical role of women as those who clean and only do work around the house. During her mayoral campaign in Allentown in 2001, Sam Bennett was rudely asked by the chair of a meeting in a room full of men, “Sam, I want to ask a question all the men in this room have been dying to ask you: Just what are your measurements?”

Women are absolutely qualified for the positions they hold. They undergo the same education as men do in order to reach such authoritative positions. However, they are completely and utterly sabotaged by several men, and believe it or not, this sabotage greatly affects their minds and their careers.

Feminists scream for equality in politics because women deserve the jobs for which they spend years in school preparing. Men have every right to form an opinion about a woman in politics based on her ideas; however, they should not have the right to judge her because of her gender. Whether they agree with her or not, they should respect her, because she works equally as hard as they do.

By definition, feminism also fights for equality in economics. Analysts studied the salaries of men and women in the workplace, and the results are quite disturbing. Studies show that women earn 77.4% (on average) of their male counterparts’ yearly wages. The word counterpart is crucial; the studies are not comparing a female nurse to a male rocket scientist. The percentage 77.4 may not have much significance to the average reader. However, when put into context, that statistic translates into something much more shocking. Assuming that a woman works 260 days a year, she works 59 days for free in which her male counterpart gets paid.

Feminists scream for equality in the workplace, because women should not work 59 days for free while their male counterparts get paid.

Feminists, by definition, also fight for social equality, something that almost every woman must somewhat desire. Catcalls, rape culture, sexual assault, sexist jokes—feminists fight for the end of all these terrible notions that society has come to practically accept. Society does not seem to have a problem with the objectification of women. Women are shown in packs like dogs in music videos all surrounding a singer man in revealing, tight clothes. Lyrics of songs talk of women solely in a sexual aspect, as if a woman is only good for her body.

Anti-feminists complain that a feminist defines herself as strong, young, independent woman who cannot walk down the streets alone. But in reality, can you blame her? A woman can be completely independent with immense strength–mental strength. A feminist can defy the catcalls from men as she walks down the street. However, a single women walking down the street may have an extremely difficult time if a man–or several men–begin to follow her, implying something more than just a catcall.

Women who have been raped or abused do not often receive the justice they deserve. Somehow, the crime immediately becomes her fault–”She was asking for it,” because of her clothes, or because she was drunk, or maybe because of her attitude.  Society teaches women not to get raped instead of teaching men not to rape. If a girl claims she was raped, society asks about every single factor that played into the incident. Society tries to find these excuses for the man who committed the crime.

Feminists are the women who have had enough, who are stepping up to make a change.

Feminists scream for social equality because the girl’s clothes never “asked for it,” and the girl did not “deserve” it because she was not sober.

Feminists want justice and equality–not superiority. When did it become a bad thing for a woman to participate equally in politics? How is it acceptable that women do not make the money they deserve? Why is it okay for men to shout at women in the street? Why does society try to excuse rape? In fact, why does rape still exist?

Feminists ask these questions because they believe the answers are simple. We are in the twenty-first century, and feminists believe that inequality regarding women’s rights is a bit outdated. However, in order for society to change, young men and women–the leaders of tomorrow–need to realize that feminism is not such a bad thing after all.