Assignment 1- Feminism Viewpoints

When I think of feminism, I think of a female who is overly into rights and equality. I think of someone who constantly petitions for rights that the rest of the population may not be completely happy with having. I was able to find some different view points on feminism from some of my friends. They all tend to have the same idea, from what culture and our age group has taught us- which of course, may not be true.

At the beginning of the school year, everyone talks with their friends about the classes they are taking. I rattle of my four English classes and then my two electives, Intro to Sociology and Intro to Women’s Studies. When they hear Women’s studies, they in a way question my choice of class. Except for one of my previous roommates that already took the course and gave me some pointers. My friend Dzu thought I was weird for taking the class. Two of my roommates Ryann and Torria both thought it was a good experience for me and thought it was a decent decision.

I asked these same people what they thought of when they heard the word feminism. There were slightly varying responses, but at the same time, they were the same. Dzu described a feminist as a crazy non-feminine woman. He also thinks that a feminist searches for things that are their rights and then goes around and exploits them. Torria said she thought of an extreme female activist. While Ryann pictures a head-strong yet close-minded woman.

I am not a feminist. I do believe that there are rights that should be shared with everyone, but at the same time, I do not go out and protest or make a big deal if a man has more rights than I do. If I hypothetically told my friends I wanted to become a feminist, I would have gotten some pretty interesting responses. Ryann said she would ask what happened to me and then smile and nod. Torria said she would tell me I was lying to her and that I was really confused because to her a feminist equals an angry lesbian- which I am not. Dzu didn’t want to comment on how he would perceive me if I were to become a feminist.

So, in conclusion, it seems that my age group has about the same view on feminism. Hopefully with this course I will be able to dispel that stereotype and educate my peers on the issue.