Feminism has been a driving force throughout history and is the reason why women are able to create their own futures. Still, feminism is misunderstood at times. Some equate it to man-hating, but that isn’t the meaning behind it. Feminism is about equality for everyone, and many groups are still fighting for the same rights as cisgender men.
When comprehending feminism and what it means to be a feminist, looking back on history can help. Feminism had its first big wave in the mid-1800s, at the Seneca Falls Convention, where Elizabeth Cady Stanton drafted The Declaration of Sentiments. That document declared women and men are created equal and pushed for women’s suffrage.
Susan B. Anthony was another women's suffragist who advocated for the abolition of slavery as well as equality for women. Those two women are a huge part of the reason women gained the right to vote in 1920. Because of the dedication of historical feminist figures, women today can vote, get an education and become CEOs.
Feminism is a powerful movement with a long history, yet there are still negative connotations around it. An example of women's empowerment being taken in a negative context is the responses after the release of the film Barbie in 2023.
The movie gave deep context into what it is like to be a woman in a world that is still patriarchal. That allowed many people to claim it had no male role models in it or was a man-hating film. In reality, though, the film actually followed a man as well and gave another perspective on the challenges men face.
The film also included transgender actress Hari Nef, who demonstrated that feminism is not just for cisgender women. Feminism is for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as all races and ethnicities. It is about everyone deserving love and respect.
The 1990s wave of feminism stood for this idea because the movement was not — and still is not — just for white straight women. Intersectional feminism specifically acknowledges how different people and women experience inequality, accounting for different minority groups of women.
Today, men and women still aren’t fully treated as equals. Pay gaps and negative stereotypes still exist, and the price of women’s hygiene products compared to men’s is a concern as well.
Regarding the pay gap, women made $0.82 for each $1 a man made during 2022. The pay gap is also different among races, with Black women making only 70% of what white men made in 2022 and Hispanic women only 65%.
Women are also often expected to adhere to different gender roles, whether it be motherhood or certain professions. There have been instances where women are shamed for not having children or people look forward to them only being mothers.
Lastly, female hygiene products, such as tampons, are taxed in more states than Viagra. In 2024, period products are taxed in 21 states. Women’s needs are less accessible than men’s, even in the world of health. Women vote and have positions in government, but the inequality is still real.
Overall, feminism is about equality, not the hating of men or tearing anyone down. There are still many cases today where women are unequal and feminism is a simple term for standing against that. Understanding the history of feminism and what the term stands for is important.
Kyra Dapore is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Kyra know by emailing her at kd364521@ohio.edu.
