The 'F' Word

Feminist. Ball breaker. Annoying. Bra-Burner. Feminazi. Virgin. Hairy Legs. Crazy. Butch. Annoying. 

I asked my Facebook demographic to say what came to mind with the word 'Feminist'. This is what they came up with. My Facebook friends are all around the same age as me, and, what surprised me, is that 40% of the negative responses I got were from women. That's 18-25 year old young women who still see Feminism as a firmly 'no-razor' zone; a movement that is radical, aggressive, and more so, 'Annoying'. 

I wasn't really interested in the male view of feminism - I think all women know what the general view from men our age is on the matter. They believe it to be an ugly movement driven by women who can't get laid and who need to assert their power to make themselves feel better about that fact. It didn't surprise me that 100% of the responses I got from my male Facebook friends were completely and utterly negative. Therefore, it didn't annoy me as much as it should. It takes a surprise to annoy someone. 

But it did leave me asking questions. If men see feminism as such an unnecessary movement driven by unattractive women, do women want to be labelled a 'Feminist' anymore? The answer, sadly, is no. They don't. For the exact fear that feminism counters, the fear of being alone, the fear of wanting men to see them as attractive, the need to be seen in a positive light by the male species, young women like me are refusing to label themselves as anything close to the 'F' Word. 

Over the past few months, I've taken the 'F' Word on board. I don't see myself as a radical, or a revolutionary, but I support the cause for women to be treated equally to men, which, may I remind you boys, is just not the case right now. Women worldwide are second class; America, the UK, China, Africa, India. World. Wide. Sex crimes are on the rise in almost every single country. In Uganda, 75% of young girls admitted to being sexually assaulted on their way to school. So why can't we admit, that, if we want to be treated equally, we want a better and more clear future for our sex, then we are feminist? You don't have to burn your bras or starve yourself or leave your legs, pits or pubes un-shaved. The stigma attached to 'a feminist' is long gone, but the memories of the still remain. The truth is, ladies, that if you want equal pay, equal voting rights worldwide, and for men not to see you as purely a sex object, then you are inclined towards the feminist movement. Have you ever shouted back at a man who said something crude to you in the street? Have you ever wondered why politics is dominated by men and not women? Have you ever wondered why, even in the UK, there is a considerable gendered wage gap, where the average woman managerial position earns more than £10,000 less than a male position? 

Here's something to help you understand this a little better. To help you get your head around the fact that not all feminists seem like Amazonian warriors. They are young, they are healthy and they are proud to be counted amongst a movement which promotes a positive image for the Modern Day woman. 

INTRODUCING CHLOE K:

Chloe is a friend of mine from University, reading for a degree in English Literature and History. She does not look like Germaine Greer, she is not intimidating, she is a healthy and perfectly fabulous young woman with a mind of her own and an opinion that happens to incline towards feminism. Chloe shares my view. Feminism is a woman's right to expression, equality and above all freedom to be yourself.

MEET CAITLIN:

Caitlin Moran is a feminist for the modern day woman. Edgy, opinionated and ballsy, but above all likeable and accessible to all. Her books, including "How to Be A Woman" are best sellers - not only because of their subject matter but also because of the witty and downright hilarious way in which she writes them. Caitlin describes feminism in the most understandable ways: "Do you have a Vagina? Do you want to be in control of it? If you said yes to both, then congratulations, you're a feminist."

AND FINALLY, THIS IS ME:

Here I am, in all my overly edited and instagrammed glory. I'm not scary (I hope) and I count myself as a feminist. Not because I hate all men (although through experience, some of you are bastards), not because I want to burn my bra, but because I am completely happy with wanting liberation for women. Everywhere. Does this make me stupid? Does this make me a feminazi? Does this make me annoying? Perhaps to you, it does. But I'm not afraid of the labels and I am not afraid of the looks people will give me when I say the 'F' word. Not 'Fuck', not 'Fornication'. 'FEMINISM'.