this post was submitted on 14 Aug 2025
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There are various schools of feminism, some of which have conflicting opinions. But the common feminist standpoints, like equal rights, seem to be just common sense for me, especially in this day and age. I'm not sure where the requirement for equal physical ability fits into the equation.
At least for me, going out and saying that you are feminist carries a sort of special connotation, and since I haven't participated in any explicitly activist events related to feminism, I wouldn't readily emblazon myself with the feminist label even though I stand by those ideas.
the physical therapist had a misconception of what feminism is, probably due to conservative misinformation that presents egalitarian movements like feminism as forcing men and women to be treated the same, and in this case the PT thought this meant soldiers were being forced to have women on their units that would slow them down or make them less effective because they weren't allowed to vary the tasks based on strength because of "feminism". I'm not even sure her story was based in reality, tbh - I'm not sure whether the military integrates women soldiers that way, but either way she has internalized some griping from her husband about this.
Either way, it's interesting to me you wouldn't identify as a feminist even if you agree with feminism - I wonder what connotations it has, and how those connotations will change if people who are feminists don't own that ... That was part of why I owned being a feminist in my interaction with the PT - she clearly had a misunderstanding of what feminism is, so I clarified why I see myself as a feminist. Otherwise she might not ever be challenged in her views, and "feminism" just becomes the absurd strawman she rejects.
If, say, I hear that "Bob is a feminist", I reflexively think that Bob is somehow renowned or outspoken in contrast to the general public for supporting feminist causes, perhaps as an educator, figurehead, or activist. I'm not sure what other specific situations I would emphasize myself as feminist, but I'd do the same if put in your situation as a way of standing up.
oh interesting, the idea is that being a feminist is more than just about beliefs, it implies something more, like being an activist ...
I tend to think identifying as a feminist is a lower bar, it just signifies you are in favor of equal rights among genders. I would have no problem identifying as a feminist just broadly - like on a bio, or in conversation.
I have to think about your meaning more, though - I feel like I have some sense of that, it's maybe a bit like being "vegan" - it implies not just a belief, but maybe also actions you take. Perhaps being a feminist implies something like that in your world, that you are actively engaged in the feminist movement - whether organizing, theorizing, etc.
Either way, thanks for expanding my mind!
It doesn't "just signify that" though, as much as feminists act like it does. The term "feminist" does signify a person who, at least ostensibly, is in favor of equal rights among genders, but using that term also, necessarily, implies belief in the harmful dogma that is inseparable from the term itself (patriarchy theory, etc.). This creates a false dichotomy that makes people feel that in order to support equal rights they must also buy into feminist dogma, and that's not at all the case.
Luckily, though, feminism doesn't have a monopoly on gender equality, and it's important to let people know that fact, both because of how incredibly misleading "feminism just means gender equality" is and because there are plenty of other more useful, more egalitarian frameworks through which to view the push for equality.
I think the reflex naturally makes sense, but from the people I personally know to be outspoken and definitionally feminist, it's more like calling yourself a feminist says you explicitly side with the feminist cause. Sort of like saying you're anti-racist rather than identifying as someone lacking racism, which is actually a farce when we're all biased.