…Not least because for some reason I just found it really hard to spell. But anyways, where shall I begin? I’ve recently been reading a lot of articles about Feminism and what it means to other people, and I thought I’d have a go at it myself. I realise my thoughts as an 18 year old are probably not going to be earth shattering, but nevertheless, I feel there’s no harm in putting my thoughts out there. I should also mention that my ideas do not represent the ideas of ‘Young People’, as the media like to call us, because if you’ve read more of what I’ve written, I don’t behave like the average teenager – I’m almost too awkward to function. There’s also a chance that being introverted has made me think about these sorts of things more than other people would, or maybe I’m just overthinking things already…

A couple of months ago, I was standing in my kitchen talking to my male flatmates about the idea of feminism. Let me start by telling you that while they didn’t necessarily think of themselves as feminists, they were for the idea of men and women being equal. Great, you might think. Until you understand what they consider to be equal. They told me that England was equal when it came to men and women, and I understand where they’re coming from, it probably does feel like that to them. I did tell them though that women tend to earn less than men for doing the same job though. ‘Well that is kinda fair I guess.’ Err, what? ‘Women go on maternity leave lots so they’re never there’. Well sure, that makes sense… if I were popping out a baby every other day. The average 2012 family in the UK has 1.7 children. Let’s round that to 2. Some women take 6 months off when their baby is born, and assuming they have 2 children, that equates to a year off over their working lifetime. Selfish of women to want more really, isn’t it?

One thing that did come up in the discussion was ‘man-hating’ feminists, and this is something I happen to agree with. I think what’s most off-putting to young people is the idea that feminists have to be butch, bitter women with angry haircuts who refuse to walk through a door that’s being held open by a man. Now, I have nothing personally against these people, but it’s not exactly hard to see why the idea of being a feminist doesn’t really appeal to girls. Feminism is about the genders being equal, and this is what needs to be conveyed to people. It’s not about what you wear. It’s not about having long or short hair. It’s about being good people to one another, regardless of whether they are a man or a woman.

On a slightly different note, one thing the media tends to forget is that men can be feminists too. Just because the word sounds a little girly, it doesn’t mean that you are a woman. It means you’re supporting a cause that strives to equality. And guys, if a woman gives you a hard time for holding the door open for her, you just let go of that door and walk away. There is no excuse for anyone to be rude when you’re just being polite.

I’ll leave you with a quote from one of my favourite people – he is a feminist and he speaks a lot of sense.