Zaresto

Modern Feminism

Oh my, that's alot of text! I think it would be best if I omit using quotes within this post and go straight to my arguments.

On the topic of genital mutilation: I was mentioning to why circumcision is so accepted and promoted in Western culture, as opposed to how making incisions to a woman's clitoris is seen as such a terrible thing. In fact, actions that have been taken to allow doctors to cut a woman's clitoris have been rejected by society. Weird, seeing as how foreskin serves for sexual pleasure, and the clitoris serves for sexual pleasure, but only one can be cut without the public condemning the action.

On the topic of gender-based insults: It seems as though alot of insults have a distinctly male connotation. (see: douchebag, asshat, asshole, dickweed, dickcheese, faggot, fucker, fuck, etc.) However, insults aren't really considered a problem, due to how they are meant to be insulting and used to demean opposition.

On the topic of media: Sure, women are portrayed very sexually in advertisements, but that's really only because those are meant to appeal to a specific group of people. Advertisements are meant to make a profit, so they have to cater to people.

Television, on the other hand, can sure be seen to favor women in multiple capacities. Let's look at, arguably, the most influential shows of the past two decades: The Simpsons. What do you see there: dumbass Homer Simpson, his wife the voice of reason in his life, his daughter a highly intelligent critical thinker, while his son is a rowdy, lazy, troublemaker. If you want more examples, fine: Lets look at Adventure Time. A show where girls have all the power and are almost flawless, while the men cause all the problems. And yet people still think that women are portrayed badly in television.

Video games, they don't matter.

Gender Wage Gap: Debunked, time and time again.

I'm not trying to belittle the plights of women, I'm simply saying the we shouldn't focus solely on them.

When Smoke Filled the Skies (A Diseal/Steampunk styled Nation Roleplay)

I'm still here, I just need to finish my NS though.

Modern Feminism

mdk said
To be fair, women are seen as bad fathers, too.

That's really because they can't be fathers.

Modern Feminism

Dark Wind said
If we are talking certain things, not so much might be correct. However, there are still things there. For example, when it comes to the discussion of maternity leave, the stats are pretty skewed. Very few men leave their jobs for this, while a much higher percentage of women do. Something worth looking into.

That might be because men do not get preggo. Not the fault of any patriarchy, just evolution.

And as I've said before, a big thing feminism today is fighting for is not for female domination, but for equality on a social level.

Although it still is tainted by those who give it a bad name. Acknowledging this, many feminists do little to quell these more radical feminists. Questions the priorities of many feminists, doesn't it?

Women are still the lesser gender in terms of rights globally. But, we are primarily focusing on 1st world countries. I definitely don't believe it as an issue that plagues men and women equally. Socially, women face more systemic oppression than men. I do agree that men face prejudices, but it's not quite the scale that women face. Especially if we talk about sexual intercourse and the stigmas a very sexually active woman faces from men AND women alike. Or that a lot of insults that we use in the english language are associated with… women. Gender inequality, women have the short end of the stick. Don't misunderstand me. Gender roles harms both men and women, however the roles of men are favorable in comparison. Fighting against the gender roles of women would successfully free men from their roles as well, no?

Sure, I can see how women have it worse in other parts of the world, but for you to say that they don't have massive amounts of privileges above men here is downright ignorant.
Let's see:
-Male genital mutilation is acceptable
-Men are constantly seen as the oppressor
-Women get an average of 60% less time in prison
-In the US, men are required to enlist for the draft
-Men are seen as expendable (Drawing off previous point)
-Men are seen as bad fathers

Of course, women don't have alot of abortion rights, but that is about it. They have the right to vote, they have equal pay, and they are generally adored by society. On the subject of sexual activity, I can see where the stigma comes from. Generally, women have a much easier time securing a partner, so it is seen, by some men, that "getting the girl" is an accomplishment. As for the fact that there are more gender-based insults associated specifically towards women rather than men, I'm going to have to ask for some examples. Looking at it now, it seems that men have the short end of the stick, don't they?

This would be a good thing. Representation of women in the media is awful because it also hurts men.

Media doesn't really matter. Even if it did, it still favors women.

And feminism, I mean actual feminism, agrees that these things should be fought against. A man is laughed at for reporting rape… Why do you think that is? It is most likely because of gender expectations that women are "weaker" and could not possibly rape a man. You won't get an argument with me on these things. I am feminist, egalitarian, etc. Many things. And it's not necessarily men always providing for the family. Women as a breadwinner or sole breadwinner are on the rise. So the expectation of men to provide for the family has gone down. And still, many of these problems stem from the gender expectations of women, which damage men in these ways, no?

Actually, the reason men get laughed at for reporting rape is because they are seen as the people who cause it. Also, why are you both a feminist and an egalitarian? Why not just be egalitarian and not have your movement correlate specifically towards women, and rather towards equality?

Modern Feminism

Dark Wind said
This hits the nail right on the head for me.I think a lot of the negative media toward feminism has a lot to due with the negative perceptions for feminism. Often times, some feminists will not come out and say they are a feminist because there are certain negative stereotypes attached to it (most if not all are entirely false), and this is a damaging thing to a good movement. I tend to agree with postfeminist theory myself with regards to the modern views and repudiation of feminism.

Feminism, today, continues to focus on women rather than on equality. If you continually look around the internet, you can see this to be evident. Many continue to belittle men and the things they deal with on a regular basis because of reasons I can't even comprehend. It is no longer a "good movement". It has been corrupted by a new age of women who are content to bitch about arbitrary things rather than act against actual problems facing women (and men, for that matter). At least, that is how it is here in the West. The only reason feminism has a negative connotation is because it has brought it upon itself.

Modern Feminism

Omega said
I dislike modern feminism, I feel it has been hijacked and is now more about elevating women above men rather than making them equals.

This.

What's Bothering You?

LoneSilverWolf said
Being religious myself, I can say that there's a LOT of people who give Christians a bad name. The bible says just the OPPOSITE of what you claim your problems with religion are, Magic Magnum. Jesus teaches us to love one another. The people he helped and spent his time with were murderers, thieves, prostitutes...because they needed direction and guidance the most. Jesus didn't shun the non-religious or look down upon them. I think the biggest problem with Christianity today are the people who sit there, with their noses in the air, acting like anyone non-religious is a piece of crap--OR come up with the stupidest shit, like "if you smoke you'll go to hell" (baptists and Catholics are big on this one, among other things).

But not EVERY person who loves and believes in God is like that. MANY of us respect people's right to live any way they choose, and follow our own faith without trying to shove it down everyone's throats. It's just that those who do, they are louder and get more media attention.

As for most non-religious people often not shunning people who ARE religious...to put it bluntly, that's bs. I can name a BUNCH of examples where this is simply not true--from taking "under god" out of the US pledge of allegiance, to telling people they aren't allowed to pray quietly in public--which to me, violates not only freedom of religion but freedom of speech. It seems to me, there is this HUUUGE anti-religion movement happening in the United States, where our rights to religious freedom are slowly being chipped away at. And a lot of atheists are incredibly rude and demeaning to those who are religious. I can speak from personal experience here.

I seldom even get involved in these kinds of discussions because often, the second I mention that I believe in God, it's like I open the floodgates to total flamage. But I can't be silent on this post, because as much as I've come to like you Magic Magnum, I have to disagree with you on this one. I may not be the perfect Christian, I may have ideas that would have me labeled a heretic in the Renaissance days , but in the end I believe in everyone's right to follow whatever God they choose and not be lashed out and bullied because of it. Likewise, I believe that no religion should bully non-believers either. I think there's room for improvement on both sides, but don't deny the fact that a LOT of non-religious people are quite cruel/judgmental/hateful to anyone who says "I believe in God."

Well, I guess alot of Christians do cherry pick from their bible, seeing as how you claim that "the bible never says any of that". The fact of the matter is, is that your holy book is full of horrible shit, and that people like you follow it and defend it without giving it a second though, without using ANY logic. And you say that atheists, agnostics, etc. are your oppressors?

Don't bullshit me. There is no boogeyman trying to take away your right to pray in public places. The only reason I want "Under god" out of the pledge is because it violates our right to freedom of religion. The only reason I want Christianity to be separate from our educational or government systems is simply because of the fact that religions inhibit social and scientific progress. Why is there even a debate about gay marriage? Because of Christians. Why is there even a debate about abortions? Because of Christians. You see what I'm getting at.

For you to assume that we have to honor and be nice to you just because you're a Christian, you've got another thing coming, especially because it doesn't work the other way around.

EDIT: If OP wants me to make a separate thread to discuss this topic, I will gladly comply.

What's Bothering You?

My main problem lies with feminism today. I think that TheAmazingAtheist summed it up well when he said, "Feminism is the idea that we can make both sexes equal by focusing solely on the issues of one of them."

Granted, I understand that not all feminists have that mentality, but, from what I have seen, the majority do. By continuing to spout mindless rhetoric (Don't Tell ME How To Dress, Tell Your Children Not To RAPE!), barraging anyone who disagrees with ad homonym attacks, silencing dissent in general, and nonsensically clinging to outdated ideals (Let's face it, there is no longer a patriarchy in the Western World), they only gain my disdain and not my approval. Instead of acting in a way that their predecessors did, feminists today are content to bitch on their blogs about advertisements that upset them.

Some even continue to deny that there is inequality on both sides. Instead of, "Hey, have you noticed that males also have it bad in some areas of society?", many feminists are fine with saying, "Hey, Blurred Lines sounds like it's about rape! Lets blog about it!". That sort of thing shouldn't happen in a movement that is supposed to be about equality. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for gender equality, but I despise feminism.

What's Bothering You?

Stupid double post glitch.

What's Bothering You?

Ferret said
I never really understood the whole hate for organized religion thing, I mean I am in no way religious, but to alot of people its all they have. It gives huge peace of mind to people that are experiencing massive grief or loss. I suppose its near impossible to explain spirituality and blind faith to someone who has yet to find a need for it. Of course there are the typical protests against it such as the anti-homosexual laws or female ownership ect, but the holy passages of whatever religion you choose was probably written so long ago that it might as well of been in a different universe. Assholes are going to be assholes no matter what median they choose to express it through. I'm not claiming their hasn't been huge atrocities done in the name of religion in the past, and present, but to shun a massive portion of human culture is crazy in my opinion.

These are just the minor opinions of an over-tired ferret. I understand how controversial and personal topics on religion can be, so the last thing I want is a flame war

One of my main problems with religion is that almost all religions naturally inhibit people. By assuring yourself that there is some sort of afterlife where all your friends and family go to after you die, you devalue the one life you have here on Earth. Instead of accepting that a loved one has died and you yourself growing as a result, you lie to yourself by saying that they're are in some afterlife, and that you can join them one day. Instead of cherishing the life you have here on Earth, you see it as a gateway to some other existence that, in itself, has no real purpose. You see the problem. It's not that I automatically hate those who are religious, it is that I wish the best for them and want them to be better.