Maev's Feminist Questions for You! - Comments

@ oh bear
@ Jooombiiine
@ Join the Masquerade

Thank you guys so much for your in put! I have revamped the questions and rearranged them and if you guys are willing would one or two of you be willing to let me put your answers in my essay? Sadly they would be have to be from the new questions but if you guys dont want to answer anymore questions, thats fine! PM me to let me know!

How has the change of focus for feminism helped or hurt you politically and personally?
Sorry for this to be the first thing I say but I feel like the wording of this question is a bit confusing. If you mean that feminism is being more focussed on, I would say that at the moment it has neither helped nor put me at a disadvantage politically at the moment. As for personally, I can say that it's definitely allowed me to have more intelligent conversations with people, but so far in my life there hasn't been a huge difference due to the focus on feminism.

How has feminism changed from when you were younger?
Disclaimer: Never really noticed feminism when I was younger. I think this new wave feminism has become a lot more convoluted, though, and a lot of people are using it as an excuse to be misandrist or to put themselves on a pedestal.

Do you feel confidant that the direction the movement is going in will help women in the long run?
At the moment I'm really not a fan of the type of feminism that I see — a lot of white feminism, a lot of using feminism to gain a personal advantage, a lot of using feminism when it has no place in the conversation, a lot of citing feminism as a reason for stupid statements. And I feel like this kind of feminism is so prevalent that it's causing people to swing completely to the other side (hence meninism, for instance). For instance all the hate and publicity about Trump has caused a quite sizeable group of people to swing very right-wing when previously they were more neutral/left.

But I do think that feminism in general will help women in the long run.

Do you consider yourself a feminist; why or why not?
Yes, because and I support and advocate for women's rights and equality of all genders. I guess in a way I'm selfish and that's why I'm feminist, because I want to give myself as many opportunities and as much equal ground as possible to all of my counterparts. But I can't truthfully say I'm too selfish because I want the same thing (in terms of equality and opportunities) for all women as well.

Are you more in touch with today's women leaders/political representatives than those in the past?
No, but then I wouldn't say I'm less in touch with them either.

How can the movement be better in your eyes?
I think if it wasn't so... like the feminism I mentioned in the third question. I guess if mainstream feminism was more encompassing, because young girls will try to follow their role models, and when their role models are people like Taylor Swift who advocate for white feminism, that's what they'll do as well.

How inclusive is the movement?
I think it theoretically should be very inclusive because in my opinion feminism is about equality for all genders, however individuals within the movement can be so radical that it pushes people away.

Could it be more inclusive?
Yes. I think you should add "if so, how" to this question because a smartass like me will say "yes" and leave it at that.

Who has influenced your political views? Is that person different than the person who showed you what feminism was?
My close family and friends, I'd say, and largely myself. I can't really cite a specific person who showed me what feminism was; a lot of it was my own research, but I wouldn't say that I discovered feminism for myself on my own.

What should feminism look like? What should it not look like?
I don't really know how to answer this question, sorry.

Feedback
I think some of your questions could be a bit clearer, but I did a lot of like mini commentary above. PLEASE LOVE ME AFTER THIS

1. Since I'm only 19, my position as a woman feels pretty good. Of course, now that I actually work I am exposed to the sexist views of paychecks and work positions, so I'm glad there are feminists out there, working hard to make the work place equal. Definitely helped.

2. Probably a lot, thought it's only been almost 20 years. Actually, I'm sure it's changed a lot. Hillary is running for president and Michael Obama is a great female role-model. Women are more about empowering themselves and including males in their empowerment.

3. I feel very confident, though I feel there is a bit of an issue with the younger generation. Too much for words, but some females just love being helpless and it's a little annoying.

4. I've never really considered it, but I do. I loved Emma Watson's speak on feminism and I berate my relatives every time they make a sexist remark. It's annoying having men pity you or look down on you because you're a woman, especially with all the stigma that comes with having a vagina and it's worse when you have to hear that crap from your family!

5. Mm, yes and no. I've watched a few things and feel more connected with Emma Watson (because, come on, she's around my age and she's an amazing speaker). I should do more research ad get more involved.

6. I don't really have a vision for it. Mostly, I'm listening and supporting and advocating for myself and other young women.

7. The movement is entirely inclusive because it discusses the cooperation and liberation of men as well. It's for both genders, I'd say. (Please correct me if I'm wrong.)

8. I don't see how it can be any more inclusive, however, my response aren't as educated as they could be.

9. My grandma, the woman I live with, a psychologist I lived with for a while, my mom and my dad. My dad is totally different and so very sexist at times. The other people have basically the same views on sexism, though my grandma sounds a little like my dad sometimes.

10. Feminism should look like happiness, freedom to be who you are and do what you want regardless of gender, and equality. What should it not look like? Pretty much anything negative that promotes separation and judgement.

I really hope this helps! Maybe the order could be 4, 2, 10, 5, 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9

1. How has the change of focus for feminism helped or hurt you politically and personally?
It's helped me realise that I can be confident and not a bitch. That I can be single and not a prude. That I can decide not to have kids and not be some heartless, non-contributing member of society.
It's hurt me in that by labeling myself as a feminist, some people will think you're a man-hater or a hippie.

2. How has feminism changed from when you were younger?
I guess it's changed in that when I was younger, I never really thought about how it affected the world so much. My first thought on gender equality was probably "why do girls have to shave their legs in order to fit into society? Why do we have to wear makeup? Why are we impressing men?" Whereas now I'm realising that women around the world are treated appallingly because society is geared to work in that way. My understanding of what feminism is has changed from "go girls! kick the boys down!" to a view that wants to see all genders treated equally.

3. Do you feel confidant that the direction the movement is going in will help women in the long run?
I think in the long run, yes. I think eventually there will be more people for feminism and less people against it. I think people will realise how their arguments (such as "but men get raped too, why does no one care about men??") aren't helping anyone and they'll die down.
I think eventually the right message will prevail.

4. Do you consider yourself a feminist; why or why not?
Yes. I think women need empowerment. Not all women. But for the ones that do need it ie. those not being paid equally, those being married at 12 years of age, etc. it's worth while being a part of this movement.

5. Are you more in touch with today's women leaders/political representatives than those in the past?
Not really, no.

6. How can the movement be better in your eyes?
I think if all women were on board, that'd be great. I'd like to see less of this "but no women need feminism because I personally don't feel I need it in my life."

7. How inclusive is the movement?
I'd like to see it include less first world problems and more serious issues getting the lime light. A lot of the time it seems all people want to do is argue over the price of shaving blades which is an issue, but there are bigger ones out there.

8. Could it be more inclusive?
Yes, as above, and also I think it could be more inclusive of trans women. They are women, too, and need tonnes of support.

9. Who has influenced your political views? Is that person different than the person who showed you what feminism was?
I guess people I meet in life. My friends, family. And then those people you meet and you hear their opinion on women and you think wow, I want to change that opinion. Also people I look up to/admire, like those in bands, that identify as feminists. Gerard Way, etc.

10. What should feminism look like? What should it not look like?
It should look like people becoming more informed about current issues with regards to feminism and gaining a better understanding of them. It should not look like heated arguments.

Feedback on your questions:
In the third question, "confidant" should be spelled "confident".

I think I'd put them in the following order:

4. Do you consider yourself a feminist; why or why not?
2. How has feminism changed from when you were younger?
1. How has the change of focus for feminism helped or hurt you politically and personally?
3. Do you feel confidant that the direction the movement is going in will help women in the long run?
10. What should feminism look like? What should it not look like?
6. How can the movement be better in your eyes?
7. How inclusive is the movement?
8. Could it be more inclusive?
5. Are you more in touch with today's women leaders/political representatives than those in the past?
9. Who has influenced your political views? Is that person different than the person who showed you what feminism was?