“Feminism” for a lot of people has negative connotations. It is sometimes associated with women who seem to have a problem with everything men do and pick fights unnecessarily. I used to think this, myself. Although it was wrong, I didn’t want to be seen as a feminist because I didn’t want to be tarred with that stereotype. Recently, however, one of my uni lecturers put the issue into perspective for me during a class discussion on the subject and I’ll never forget it. He asked the group “Who here believes that women should have the right to vote?” All of us, obviously, raised our hands. He then said “Well you’re all feminists then.” By putting the issue so simply, and so positively, it seemed ridiculous that we were all unwilling to label ourselves as such a few minutes before.
Recently, the feminist debate has been brought back, into my life at least, due to Wimbledon. It has been argued that women should be paid the same amount of money as men in this sport. I agree that women should be paid the same amount but only if they’re willing to play the same amount of tennis. In this sport, men play to the best of five sets, and women the best of three. Why should they earn the same when the work isn’t equal? Proportionally, therefore, women earn more for less work. Is that fair? No. I understand the arguments for the equal pay, but I think that in this case more discussion is needed.
Discussing feminism naturally brings up another issue. That of male chauvinism. I firmly believe that there’s a difference between chauvinism and chivalry. I don’t have a problem with a man walking me home, even if it is the twenty-first century and I am capable of walking home by myself. It’s nice. It doesn’t mean they think I can’t fend for myself. It doesn’t mean they feel it their duty as a man to ward off potential attackers. It means they care. Sometimes it’s unnecessary, I agree, but the majority of the time it’s nothing other than gentlemanly and I for one have no problem with it.
Obviously there are extremes. I won’t pretend that I don’t have a problem having meals/drinks bought for me. I like paying my way. I don’t agree that women should expect men to pay for them. So split the bill. That’s perfectly acceptable. Everyone has their own views on this issue and these are mine. I accept that people won’t agree with me and that’s fine. Each to their own.
Positive anything is better than negative nothing 