Feminism Beyond Misunderstanding

Feminism, which started in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, has become a buzzword in the present day. With the widespread use of the internet and social media platforms, people have been increasingly discussing feminism. However, I feel that it is quite misrepresented and misunderstood. Mary Wollstonecraft, who is known as the founder of feminism, has emphasised that women as well as men needed equal rights in her book. The movement, which started as a voice advocating for women to be provided with equal rights as men, has been twisted in one way or another in modern times. This has led to many people, especially men, furrowing their eyebrows when “feminism” or “feminists” are mentioned. Not that I am bothered by their expressions, I want people to know what feminism is really about. The movement has created confusion, backlash, and even toxicity in its name instead of uplifting women and heading towards equality. Through the course of this article, we will delve deeper into feminism and issues with so-called modern feminism prevalent mainly on social media.

Let’s first learn about why and how feminism started. We have to go back in time and understand the political and social world before feminism.

Political and Social World Before Feminism:

No voting rights: Back in the time, women had no political voice. From voting to attending political assemblies, everything was restricted to men.
Legal status: It might sound ridiculous, but in many Western countries, married women had no independent legal identity. This meant women couldn’t own property, sign contracts, and so on. They were legally considered property of their husbands.
Restrictions on education: Education was not easily accessible to women. They were generally expected to perform domestic duties; hence, professions like medicine, academia, and law were only for men.
Work environment: Women were confined to “feminine” jobs such as servants. Even while working, they were poorly paid and lacked financial independence.
Rigid gender roles: The “separate spheres” ideology was dominant, which posited that men belonged to public spheres such as work, politics, and women belonged to private spheres (home, family).
Marriage: Marriage was seen as the ultimate goal of a woman’s life. Unmarried women were often stigmatized and poorly treated in society. Moreover, women had no say over reproduction. They were seen as “child-producing” machines and were told to embrace the gift that was gifted by Mother Nature.

The list goes on, but the key takeaway from this is that women were not placed in the same place as men. Even the cultural narratives of that era portrayed women as unstable, weak, and less intelligent than men. Aristotle claimed, among other things, that women were inherently inferior and "mutilated men." Similarly, French philosopher Jean-Jacques claimed in Émile (1762) that women should only receive an education to appease and serve men, emphasising that their virtues were obedience and modesty. Since the beginning, it had been common for men to denigrate women, which naturally upset some people. As a result, feminist concepts have roots as far back as ancient Greece. But it wasn't until the late 1800s that it evolved into a collective, self-aware series of movements that changed the social and political landscape for women.

Changes Followed by Feminist Movements:

The first wave of feminism centered on women’s legal equality, especially suffrage and property rights. Activists like Mary Wollstonecraft (A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, 1792) and the Suffragettes (e.g., Emmeline Pankhurst in the UK, Susan B. Anthony in the US) fought for women’s right to vote and own property. Successes included New Zealand granting women the vote in 1893 and the US passing the 19th Amendment in 1920.
The second wave addressed workplace, family, and reproductive rights. Feminists like Betty Friedan (The Feminine Mystique, 1963) and groups such as the National Organization for Women (NOW) pushed for equal pay and career opportunities. Landmark changes included the Equal Pay Act (1963), Title IX (1972) in the US, and the legalization of abortion (Roe v. Wade, 1973). Campaigns also fought against marital rape and domestic violence.
The third wave emphasized diversity and individuality, highlighting the experiences of women of color, LGBTQ+ women, and those outside the West. Figures like bell hooks and Rebecca Walker (who coined the term “third wave”) pushed intersectionality into mainstream feminism. Cultural shifts included reclaiming femininity and sexuality (e.g., Riot Grrrl punk movement) and challenging stereotypes in media. Issues like glass ceilings and workplace harassment became focal points.
The fourth wave uses digital platforms to fight sexism, harassment, and global inequality. Movements like #MeToo (2017) and Time’s Up exposed sexual abuse in industries worldwide, while campaigns such as #HeForShe (UN initiative) encouraged male allies in gender equality. Activists also spotlight issues like period poverty (e.g., Scotland making menstrual products free in 2020) and girls’ education (Malala Yousafzai’s advocacy). It also embraces trans and non-binary inclusion.

How Feminism is Misunderstood Today

In modern times, the term “feminism” is often twisted into something it was never meant to be. A growing trend online portrays feminism as a movement that seeks to place women above men, with self-proclaimed feminists mocking or dismissing men. This has fueled a negative image of feminism, leading many people, especially men, to reject it outright. Even women, myself included, feel frustrated by this distorted image. Yet, when a woman attempts to explain the true meaning of feminism, the internet often labels her as a “pick-me” or criticizes her for not being a “girl’s girl.”

But this is a misrepresentation. In reality, feminism has never been about one gender being superior to another. For instance, during the very first feminist rallies, hundreds of men also stood side by side with women. They understood that the goal was not a competition but equality. True feminism argues simply that if men can work, women can too, and if a man and woman do the same job, they should receive the same pay. Historically, men were paid more than women for identical work, and feminism worked to correct that injustice. At its essence, feminism is about fairness and equal opportunity, not dominance, hostility, or exclusion.

Conclusion:

Feminism has not yet achieved full effectiveness. According to a report by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, women still earn less than men across all occupations. While the fight for equal rights continues, these false narratives and misconceptions can undermine progress. Thus, recognizing this original purpose is crucial if we want feminism to unite rather than divide, and to continue moving the world toward genuine equality.

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