What Is Feminism And Why Do So Many People Reject It?

Part of Kathy Caprino's series “Building a World That Works For All”

Over my 18 years of corporate life, I experienced gender bias and gender discrimination in more ways than I can count, and it hurt me and negatively impacted my life and career. Then, in my work as a marriage and family therapist, and now as a career and leadership coach, media commentator, Forbes contributor and speaker, I regularly explore issues around gender equality, leadership, and social change. I’ve received thousands of comments from people all over the world who openly share their vast array of opinions about gender equality, women and men in life and business, and feminism.

In honor of International Women's Day several years ago, I shared my personal take on what feminism signifies at its core, and why I believe so many men and women in our world fiercely reject it. The feedback I received was remarkable, from respectful to ragefully hateful. If we explore recent data about gender equality, and if we read any news at all or engage in social media activity, the following is abundantly clear – there is tremendous dissent and vehement disagreement among people globally about the status and importance of equality.

I’ve seen this:

? There are millions of people who both inwardly and outwardly do not support the idea that there should be equal rights and equal opportunities for men and women

? There are thousands of people who feel we’ve already arrived at equality for men and women.

? There are also thousands of people who believe we’re not at all there yet and support continuing efforts to pave the way for equal rights for men and women.

?  There are thousands who believe in equal rights but find “feminism” a word and a movement that doesn’t align with their personal beliefs or values.

? It’s abundantly clear that our specific views on these issues are rooted deeply in our own personal and direct experiences, rather than on any data, research or science surrounding the issues.

In other words, if we’ve personally faced gender bias and discrimination, we know beyond doubt that it exists. But if we haven’t faced it ourselves, or spoken directly to people who have faced it, we often doubt that it exists or happens.

? Finally, both conscious and unconscious gender bias is rampant within us, but most us aren’t aware of it

So, what would be helpful in this dialogue, or in this situation we find ourselves in today where there is a great divide among men and women who see things dramatically differently from one another on this topic?

First, let’s understand what feminism is meant to be.

If you look up the definition of “Feminism” in the dictionary, you’ll see these statements:

Feminism is:

1. The advocacy of women's rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes

2. The theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes

3. The belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities

4. The doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men

Feminism at its core is about equality of men and women, not “sameness.” So many people offer up the argument that women are not the “same” as men so there can’t be equality. In other words, because their bodies are different (many say “weaker” and smaller), and because men and women have different physical capabilities, these physical differences mean equality is not possible.

It’s critical to understand that “same” does not mean “equal.” 

The issue here is about equal rights and equal access to opportunities. Men and women don’t have to be the “same” in physicality to have the right to equality. I’d love to see that argument (that women and men aren’t the “same” so they can’t be equal) disappear forever. From my view, it’s a misguided one.

Here’s an example of why this argument doesn't work: 

If there were two young boys in a classroom, and one was physically weaker and smaller than the other, would we believe it’s right to keep the weaker, smaller boy from having the same access to all the school's resources – to the teachers, to learning, to the computers, to the books and class resources, to other children in the class -- because he didn’t have the same physical strength as the other boy? Of course, the answer is "no." Physicality and physical conditions cannot constrain our access to equal rights.

So how can we gain a deeper understanding of where we personally stand on the issue of equality?

Asking yourself these questions and answering them candidly will get you closer to recognizing what you truly, honestly believe and why:

1. Do you believe that women and men deserve equal rights and equal opportunities? If not, why not, specifically?

2. Do you oppose the idea that every human being on the planet deserves equal rights and equal access to all opportunities? If you oppose it, what are you concerned will happen if equality is achieved? What are the downsides to equality, in your way of thinking?

3. Do you believe that only certain groups of people should be allowed to have access to certain opportunities and rights? If so, which groups should be favored and granted this access, and who should decide that?

4. Do you believe that it would be inherently fair to grant women access to only partial rights while men have a full array of other rights and opportunities?

5. Think back on what has shaped all your beliefs about these issues. Where did they come from specifically? Childhood, early adulthood? Your personal experiences with men and women, or what you read and watch in the media? Who in your “tribe,” family or peers influence your beliefs today?

6. What makes you mad and agitated to read in the media, about men, women and equality?

7. Do you believe that a world that prevents certain people from accessing full rights and opportunities would lead to a fair, healthy, prosperous world for all?

8. In the end, do your beliefs actually feel right for you? Do they feel aligned with who you really are -- healthy, whole, integrity-filled, compassionate, and fair?

The vast majority of people I speak to do believe in equal rights for men and women, but the conflict for them is about how that equality should be achieved.

Many resist calling themselves a “feminist” or supporting the feminist “movement.” In fact, one woman wrote to me that “feminism is a cancer.”

Why do so many people reject the term feminism and the feminist movement?

I believe there are five critical reasons behind this:

1.  Feminism has been associated with strong, forceful and angry women, and our society continues to punish forceful women. (Much data and research have proved this.)

2. Many people fear that feminism will mean that men will eventually lose out – of power, influence, impact, authority, and control, and economic opportunities.

3. Many people believe that feminists want to control the world and put men down.

4. Many people fear that feminism will overturn time-honored traditions, religious beliefs and established gender roles, and that feels scary and wrong to them.

5. Many people fear that feminism will bring about negative shifts in relationships, marriage, society, culture, power and authority dynamics, and in business, job and economic opportunities if and when women are on an equal footing with men.

What about sexuality – what does that have to do with feminism?

Several years ago, I read about the media uproar over Emma Watson’s baring a bit of her breasts in Vanity Fair, and we saw women fighting among themselves about what feminism is and how women should behave if they’re true feminists. Emma (and Gloria Steinem) made a powerful point – that feminism at its core is about choice. Feminists can wear whatever they want. If people cannot choose freely how to behave, speak, act and present themselves, then we’re moving backwards.

Unconscious gender bias

In my friend Kristen Pressner’s powerful TEDx talk “Are You Biased? I Am” she shares how her own unconscious bias against working women (in fact, against women who were just like her) was affecting her ability to treat men and women equally. Her brave revelation paves the way for all of us to think more deeply about our unconscious biases, and work tirelessly to bring these biases to light and address them.

It's important to honor the beliefs, values, and ideals that feel right and true to us. BUT, at the same time, we need to continue to challenge ourselves about why we believe what we believe. And we need to get out of our insular, limited worldview and connect with a more diverse world - invite new conversation and dialogue with people who are not just like us, to understand what they are experiencing in our world.

In the end, we need to continue to grow and evolve, stretch our thinking, test our beliefs, and embrace new data, understanding and experience, if our beliefs and mindsets are to hold up over the test of time.

To help us do that, I’d ask you to think about these core questions:

• Do your beliefs and behaviors support equality for all, or just for some?
• Could there be hidden biases that influence how you experience people of different genders, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, etc.? Could your personal experiences be tainting how you’re looking at the whole world?
• If you believe in equality for women, but not in feminism, can you articulate why?
• If you believe in equality for all, are you able to take a brave stand for it, in a way that feels right to you, in your own life and in your own sphere of influence?
• Finally, I'd ask this: Wherever you see gender bias, gender discrimination, racial bias, and other forms of systemic injustice or mistreatment around you, can you "find brave," close your own power gaps, and finally say "STOP" to inequality and mistreatment?

Here's more on how to do that:

For more information, visit Kathy Caprino's Career and Leadership Breakthrough services, her speaking programs, Finding Brave podcast, and her new book The Most Powerful You: 7 Bravery-Boosting Paths to Career Bliss.