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You Said The "F" Word: Why Has Feminism Become A Bad Word

© Nancy Coulter

I'm involved in many organizations that exist to help women become more equal in our society. I've seen all kinds of discussions and debates about women's role in society and how it has changed over the years. Recently I watched as women attacked each other over what they considered to be feminism. I don't think I have ever been more disapointed in my gender than at that point in time.

It seemed innocent enough. One woman described how she brought on her own independence and sense of freedom from the men in her life. Then someone threw in that "F" word (yes, feminism) and all sorts of arguments started.

Some people thought feminism was a bad thing. That all it does is make the difference between men and women more prominent. Then there are those who think that women need to take a big stand and be as different from men as possible. Finally, there were those (like myself), who feel that arguing over it does nothing except make the situation worse.

We all are very aware that men and women are different. I truly believe that we were "made" that way. It is just how things are supposed to be. Just because we are different, however, doesn't mean that one is better than the other. For a long long long time women have believed that they weren't worth as much. Finally women are waking up to the fact that they can be equal to men. To me, that is what feminism is. Women wanting to be treatedly equally as men.

So call me a feminist if you want to. Doesn't bother me. Or if I'm just not radical enough for you to think that I'm a feminist, then that's your choice to make. It doesn't make anything better to argue over simple semantics when there are "bigger" things to be worrying about.

Think whatever you want to about the "F" word. Let's all just agree to disagree over the meaning of it. But let's not make things worse in an already unequal situation.

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