Is It Sexist to HATE Somebody Because They Are Feminist?
Feminism, like many label-based ideologies, inspires passionate debates. One such debate revolves around the sentiment that opposing feminism inherently means being sexist. However, a closer examination of the historical and contemporary manifestations of feminism reveals a more nuanced situation. Let’s break down the argument and explore the underlying principles.
Feminism and the No True Scotsman Fallacy
The term 'No True Scotsman' describes a logical fallacy where someone redefines a concept to exclude evidence that contradicts their beliefs. For instance, someone might claim:
Feminists advocate for equality between the sexes.
But I know a woman who spoke against women registering for the draft.
She's not a real feminist. A feminist is anyone who advocates for equality.
If you don’t advocate for equality, you're not a feminist.
No, that’s circular.
But that's the definition of a feminist!
This argument is a form of sophistry that is both illogical and pedantic, yet it is surprisingly prevalent in discussions about feminism. This fallacy has led to an oversimplified perception that many feminists only advocate for the subjugation of women, which is not a fair representation of the movement.
The Dual Facets of Feminism: Equality and Status
Feminism, at its core, aims to bring about equality between genders. However, the journey towards equality sometimes veers into favoring women over men, promoting what some call 'organized benevolent sexism.'
In her famous essay 'What Would It Be Like if Women Won?', Gloria Steinem emphasizes the goal of equality through the following points:
Schools and universities will help to break down traditional sex roles even when parents will not.
Half the teachers will be men, a rarity now at preschool and elementary levels. Girls will not necessarily serve cookies or boys hoist up the flag.
Athletic teams will be chosen only by strength and skill, eliminating sexually segregated courses like auto mechanics and home economics.
New courses in sexual politics will explore female subjugation as the model for political oppression, and women’s history will be an academic staple along with black history, at least until the white-male-oriented textbooks are integrated and rewritten.
While these measures were aimed at equality, it is noteworthy that feminists have since abandoned many of these initiatives because they serve to advance the status of women, rather than the cause of equality.
Feminism in Practice and Perception
The evolution of feminism from a movement aiming for equality to one that now often promotes the status of women has led to a shift in perception. Many people, especially non-feminists, view feminism as a contentious, even detrimental force. For instance, some argue that opposition to feminism inherently makes one a misogynist (someone who hates women). Similarly, any action that does not help women directly is branded as sexist.
The examples from Quora highlight the polarized attitude towards feminism. In one instance, a feminist accused the author of defending rapists, which is an extreme and unsubstantiated claim. Another example mentions a feminist who accused the author of promoting a lie and blocking them, despite the author’s reasonable points on false accusations.
Factual Basis and Relativism
Facts about gender disparities in various countries provide a stark contrast to the perceived status of women. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the evidence suggests that women generally have better outcomes in many areas:
Men generally have more economic security.
Women are generally better educated.
Women are generally healthier.
Women generally have a superior work-life balance.
Women are generally safer and less likely to get involved in crime.
Men are generally better represented in politics.
While men often earn more, women control more consumer spending, and this is why advertisers target women and why products for women dominate shelf space. Additionally, women vote more often based on gender interests, making women’s issues more politically relevant.
The Question of Status vs. Equality
Amid this backdrop, the idea that prioritizing women’s status serves equality is increasingly questioned. Feminists often support gender-based segregation and discrimination when it benefits women, such as advocating for women’s studies despite women already dominating academia. This has led many to argue that feminism’s focus on women’s status is counterproductive and serves an agenda of organized benevolent sexism.
Conclusion
The relationship between opposition to feminism and sexism is not as straightforward as it is often portrayed. Opposing equality is clearly sexist, but many feminists indeed have valid reasons not to be liked. The idea that opposition to feminism must stem from sexism is a fallacy. It is crucial to separate the genuine pursuit of equality from the trends that foster a status-focused revision of feminist ideals.