Feminism. What is feminism ? Is it a mere opposition to everything that the society considers feminine? Is it a fierce promotion of everything androgynous? Or is it a deep hatred towards the male species? In my view, feminism is the celebration of womanhood. It is being who you truly are.
The idea of feminism has deviated from its true meaning over time. People have projected it as a cult; a kind of new age belief. Women have understood this concept in an erroneous way and over the years this small seed of an idea has grown into a tree of half-knowledge and half-truths twisted to suit every person's convenience.
Being a feminist does not mean that you have to constrict your mind to a certain set of ideologies. It does not mean you have to change your beliefs, your attitude, your mental state or your emotional needs. It does not mean you have to dress in a specific way, change your physical appearance to match a standard or do things to your body that you are not comfortable with. Being a feminist does not even mean you have to be woman.
That being said, what does being a feminist mean? Being a feminist means being who you are. That's it. Straight and simple. No pretence, no discomfort, no shaving your legs if you don't want to.
Women often(read "always") try to fit into a mould created by either the orthodox old age society or the ultramodern new age fashion police. The older version of a perfect woman is one who is gentle, suppresses her intense feelings and covers up her sensuality only to be revealed to her "one and only one" life partner. She is expected to neglect her own dreams and ambitions to support her husband or family and submit to their wants and needs. The way she looks, dresses, walks, eats , sleeps and even thinks is moulded according to a specified list of standard orthodox obligations.
On the other hand, the new age woman is expected to be well-mannered and well-groomed at all times. She must be independent and must have little regard for her male counterparts. She must flare-up if there is any incidence of male chauvinism and must insist on splitting the bill when dining at a restaurant. She must dress androgynously and must renounce all tasks that have been traditionally considered to be feminine like cooking and looking after children. And yes she must absolutely fit into that small size dress.
Women on either side of the spectrum believe that in following these norms they are being true feminists. But by giving into societal pressures and doing things they are not comfortable doing they are defeating the very principle of feminism. Little do they realize that feminism is doing what you want and what you like and following your heart towards your dreams and aspirations.
It's quite simple to understand. A woman who may be at a chief position at her workplace may enjoy cooking or cleaning when she has a day off. Or you may one day spot a woman, whom you have always seen in a traditional attire, in a western, revealing dress because she likes it. Or maybe a woman who earns more than her man might want him to foot the entire bill on a night-out because she finds it attractive. Being a feminist means doing what you want and doing it without any shame.
Men and boys watch pornographic videos and visuals to satisfy their sexual needs. When exposed, their behaviour is shrugged off with a "boys will be boys" attitude. If men can be so open about their sexual needs, then why do we women lock up our sexuality within the confines of the bedroom? Why does the society frown upon women who openly embrace their sensuality? Don't we women have a right to satisfy our needs even when the necessity to do so has been recognised to be purely natural? Being a feminist is breaking the bonds of sexual repression. Being a feminist is fighting for your needs.
It is often observed that we women are our own worst enemies. We destroy each other with criticism and a plain refusal to help and stand by each other during difficult times. We destroy each other with jealousy and envy and by creating a hostile environment either at home or at the workplace. The wounds we inflict are not visible to the naked eye and cause no physical pain. But they lead us to great mental trauma and make us implode with agony. Being a feminist means rising above these dark emotions and lifting others along with us. We women are the gentler and the fairer sex so why not be gentle and fair to each other.
If the whole world adopts the true meaning of feminism, it will definitely be a better place to live in. Being a feminist is promoting peace. Being a feminist is being human.
The idea of feminism has deviated from its true meaning over time. People have projected it as a cult; a kind of new age belief. Women have understood this concept in an erroneous way and over the years this small seed of an idea has grown into a tree of half-knowledge and half-truths twisted to suit every person's convenience.
Being a feminist does not mean that you have to constrict your mind to a certain set of ideologies. It does not mean you have to change your beliefs, your attitude, your mental state or your emotional needs. It does not mean you have to dress in a specific way, change your physical appearance to match a standard or do things to your body that you are not comfortable with. Being a feminist does not even mean you have to be woman.
That being said, what does being a feminist mean? Being a feminist means being who you are. That's it. Straight and simple. No pretence, no discomfort, no shaving your legs if you don't want to.
Women often(read "always") try to fit into a mould created by either the orthodox old age society or the ultramodern new age fashion police. The older version of a perfect woman is one who is gentle, suppresses her intense feelings and covers up her sensuality only to be revealed to her "one and only one" life partner. She is expected to neglect her own dreams and ambitions to support her husband or family and submit to their wants and needs. The way she looks, dresses, walks, eats , sleeps and even thinks is moulded according to a specified list of standard orthodox obligations.
On the other hand, the new age woman is expected to be well-mannered and well-groomed at all times. She must be independent and must have little regard for her male counterparts. She must flare-up if there is any incidence of male chauvinism and must insist on splitting the bill when dining at a restaurant. She must dress androgynously and must renounce all tasks that have been traditionally considered to be feminine like cooking and looking after children. And yes she must absolutely fit into that small size dress.
Women on either side of the spectrum believe that in following these norms they are being true feminists. But by giving into societal pressures and doing things they are not comfortable doing they are defeating the very principle of feminism. Little do they realize that feminism is doing what you want and what you like and following your heart towards your dreams and aspirations.
It's quite simple to understand. A woman who may be at a chief position at her workplace may enjoy cooking or cleaning when she has a day off. Or you may one day spot a woman, whom you have always seen in a traditional attire, in a western, revealing dress because she likes it. Or maybe a woman who earns more than her man might want him to foot the entire bill on a night-out because she finds it attractive. Being a feminist means doing what you want and doing it without any shame.
Men and boys watch pornographic videos and visuals to satisfy their sexual needs. When exposed, their behaviour is shrugged off with a "boys will be boys" attitude. If men can be so open about their sexual needs, then why do we women lock up our sexuality within the confines of the bedroom? Why does the society frown upon women who openly embrace their sensuality? Don't we women have a right to satisfy our needs even when the necessity to do so has been recognised to be purely natural? Being a feminist is breaking the bonds of sexual repression. Being a feminist is fighting for your needs.
It is often observed that we women are our own worst enemies. We destroy each other with criticism and a plain refusal to help and stand by each other during difficult times. We destroy each other with jealousy and envy and by creating a hostile environment either at home or at the workplace. The wounds we inflict are not visible to the naked eye and cause no physical pain. But they lead us to great mental trauma and make us implode with agony. Being a feminist means rising above these dark emotions and lifting others along with us. We women are the gentler and the fairer sex so why not be gentle and fair to each other.
If the whole world adopts the true meaning of feminism, it will definitely be a better place to live in. Being a feminist is promoting peace. Being a feminist is being human.
