6. “Feminism began when women wanted to vote.”
Feminism has been around since the beginning of time. The women’s suffrage movement is just one of the more notable times that the patriarchy submitted to avoid a revolution. But the concept of equality for women has been around since the beginning of humanity. There is feminist literature from the 17th-19th century that expresses all of the same ideals that pre-date the suffrage movement. There is even evidence of matriarchal societies across the world dating back centuries of lineage connected by the women. It just took this long for America to start doing something about the problem.
7. “Feminists shouldn’t take their husband’s last name.”
Feminism allows women to make choices for themselves. If a woman wants to get married to a man, she can. If she wants to marry a woman, that’s equally as valid. If she wants to keep her last name, cool. If she wants to take his last name, no problem. Hell, he can even take hers. What’s it matter? Feminism is around so that we have choices and freedoms. So stop being so judgey and let people live their lives.
8. “Feminism isn’t necessary anymore, women are equal.”
Ummmm…. Feminism will always be necessary. If we stop caring about feminism, we will stop making progress to a more progressive and equal future. There is ALWAYS progress to be made and to give up and believe we no longer need something so vital is to submit to the deep-rooted values from an archaic patriarchal society. It’s not about shutting us up, it’s about supporting what’s right.
9. “Feminists shouldn’t cook for their partner.”
Why the hell not? What if your husband has been with the kids all day and could use a break, just like you? What if you want to show him appreciation the same way you want him to show appreciation to you? Just because we refer to ourselves as feminists doesn’t mean we’re going to stop being a caring human being. Relationships are two ways, and feminism is supposed to highlight that.
It’s all about having a more educated and empathetic society, and it’s our goal to achieve it by debunking one myth at a time. It’s time to broaden our concept of what it means to be a human being in this world and stop generalizing such complex values. Just be good to each other and stop tearing each other down. We’re all in this together. Let’s fight the good fight.