Few months back I was sent a WhatsApp forward showing definitions of feminism and a picture of a woman drinking and smoking, saying that THIS is definition of feminism!!!
I found something lacking in the picture ie., the picture of a man smoking and drinking and being completely comfortable about it in the same frame as a woman. That’s what feminism actually is! Its not “perceived” bad behaviour (read perceived) by women (whatever bad means!) but access to the SAME resources, opportunities and rights as men!Which means picture is kind of right but has to include a man in the picture so that we know than both men and women are equal when it comes to accessing alcohol or nicotine. Let’s examine some myths about feminism.
MYTH #1 FEMINISTS ARE “BAD GIRLS” WHO DRINK AND SMOKE
There can’t be more misogynistic bigotry than this. If we believe that smoking and alcohol is “bad”, firstly we need to quantify why this is bad and what is “bad”. Is it because it is bad for health (which it is!) or “morally” bad which stems from a basis in religion (as sin) which is just prescriptive dogma that only makes a dumb woman dumber (pun intended). If smoking and alcohol is bad for human health and a man is able to take an informed choice about drinking and smoking, the same applies to a woman! As long as she knows the health risks associated with these habits she can go ahead as a consenting adult to do what exactly what she sees fit WITHOUT the jeers and prejudices attached to her behaviour.
MYTH #2 WOMEN ARE MORE RESPONSIBLE; WOMAN ARE CHASTE; WOMAN ARE WORSHIPPED AS OUR GODS
This benevolent sexism which puts a woman on a pedestal is the most damaging form of sexism as I have always seen. It flatters a woman and makes her believe she is somewhat special and has to live up to the God- woman image. Sexism comes disguised as chivalry. Opening doors for woman, calling her “love”, taking her coat, opening car doors and pulling chairs for women can be more damaging than the hostile gender bias version.
MYTH #3 FEMINISTS DRESS UP LIKE MEN, FEMINISTS HATE MORE FEMININE WOMEN, FEMINISTS ARE AN ANGRY LOT
A true believer of gender equality (be is female gender, male gender, transgender, agender or gender fluid) can and should dress and act as they feel comfortable with. There are women who mistakenly believe that acting like men constitutes equality but nothing can be more insulting to a woman than trying to ape men. We are NOT the SAME- we are just EQUAL.
Let me finish by saying if a woman chooses to have pre- marital sex, if a woman choses to enter a temple during her period, if a woman chooses to divorce, if a woman choses to work or NOT to work, if a woman chooses not to have children, if a woman chooses to not conform to traditional gender roles, if a woman chooses to stay single, if a woman chooses to keep her maiden name, if a woman chooses to dress the way she likes and lastly if she CHOOSES to drink and smoke- all it means is she has a CHOICE. We respect that choice as a gender equal society. We do not judge or pattern her or put her into boxes for her choices. She is no less of a woman or no less of a human being and definitely no less than a man.