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I was introduced to the concept of feminism in my mother's copies of Ms. Magazine. I was a curious teenager who understood the basic premise of feminism: political, social, and economic equality for women. But it was never something that seemed relevant to my life. While I supported feminist principles in theory, when I reflect back I realize in some ways I wasn't living them, valuing my own voice and power.
But what soon followed was a consciousness-raising wave of gradual and unexpected life developments, which included covering the 1992 March for Women's Lives in Washington for Us Magazine, interviewing Gloria Steinem, and other signposts that led me to register the domain name feminist.com in 1995. Back then, even I wasn't completely comfortable with the word, and the journey to develop a website called feminist.com, now a thriving 16-year-old nonprofit and hub of resources and information, has run parallel with my own personal journey to better define and understand it.
I'm always amazed when women say they are not a feminist. I think to myself, You're a woman and you're not in favor of your own political, social and economic equality? But perhaps one reason women are reluctant to call themselves feminist is because of the bad rap and many misconceptions about the word. Everyone is entitled to her own definition and understanding of feminism, but here is my evolving sense of what it means.
Feminism first and foremost remains about upholding that dictionary definition of social, political, and economic equality of women and the vision of women's liberation that inspired the suffragette movement. But for me, the larger picture of feminism is about how gender inequity impacts everyone--including men.
The world community is slowly coming to realize how the diminished status of women and girls is intrinsically interconnected with global issues like war, violence, poverty, the economy and the environment. There is a growing awareness that we all benefit when women and girls are educated and empowered. As for the more extreme cases of oppression--countries where women and girls are deprived of basic rights, or the pandemic of domestic violence, rape, acid burnings, honor killing and other atrocities that sometimes occur with government approval and impunity--these are not just "women's issues" but human rights abuses. Thankfully, more and more courageous and enlightened men are becoming vocal advocates on these issues, working to end violence against women and calling for women's equality and empowerment. They understand the benefit of valuing women, the positive impact women in positions of power and influence would have in the stewardship of our planet.
To help reflect and give shape to this trend, Feminist.com features a Men's Voices, Men as Allies column of male voices interested in themes such as ending gender-based violence and redefining masculinity. Feminist work must include men. When you look at the brutal rapes of girls and women in the Congo as a weapon of war, for example, it's clear that we must do more than just protect and heal the traumatized victims. We must also look honestly at the damaged men committing these crimes. We cannot end the cycle of violence until we examine the culture, belief systems and often outdated religious traditions that breed it and legitimatize it.
Boys and men can be just as negatively impacted by destructive gender stereotypes as women. World-renowned psychologist Carol Gilligan, who was appointed Harvard's first professorship in gender studies, wrote a groundbreaking book on how gender roles shape the psychological development of boys and girls. In a Different Voice showed that, for boys, this conditioning starts around four or five years old when they first enter social settings like school. As boys grow into men, the culture and the media pummel them with these same messages: demonstrating their feelings, or values like empathy and compassion, do not correspond with "masculine" expectations of strength and power. As a result, boys may unconsciously learn to cut off their emotions or not value themselves as nurturers and caretakers. And men are encouraged to deny their full range of human qualities in their careers, and as friends, sons, husbands and fathers.
This is another important arena feminism is evolving into, a dialogue not only about outer world change, but inner transformation, where it all starts.
My hope is that feminism is transforming into an all-inclusive movement. Feminism, for me, promotes unity, respect, equality, and justice for all living beings, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion or any of the many other labels and dogmas that
