Maybe it isn't as scary as they first thought
We asked students from the University of Hull to answer the question “What does feminism mean to you, in your own words?”
Andrew Hemming, second year, Computer Science
“Well, to me it’s a movement that brings attention to the struggles that only women face that are often ignored, but often the good of the movement gets put in the shadow of the people who take it too far.”
Emily Collins, second year, History
“Feminism to me means the equality of the sexes in all aspects of living whether it be socially, economically or politically. I think it is very important to both men and women as both sexes have issues that need to be worked on and it’s only by both sexes working together that true equality will transpire”
Sophie Lowe, second year, Psychology
“For men and women to have equal rights, pay, opportunities and the same amount of respect as each other”
Emma Littlejohns, second year, History
“This was so difficult to answer, I feel like its a really broad term.
“I feel while mainly its for the equality of women, because that’s the main issue, there are also aspects of feminism which bring to light problems in society that we just kind of, push away. Like men having to behave in a certain way – like not being allowed to show what they feel, or problems like men getting raped.
“To me, its a way of tackling a society which has been run in a certain way by men in the past, and tackling the expectation to behave in a certain way according to your gender.”
Natalie Buckle, second year Psychology
“I’ll say that it needs to be seen as woman being equal to men instead of what some people perceive it to be – women wanting to be superior”
Jack Graham, second year, Chinese and French
“I believe that feminism is a brilliant concept that truly reflects the liberal and open society we live in. Women have gained more in the last half century than ever before and I truly feel that I live in an equal society in front of the law.
“It is fine if mothers want to look after their children. They are naturally gifted to do so and I believe that also should be celebrated rather than shunned. In that respect I am pro-choice. If you’ll pardon the pun.
“Women nowadays are officially smarter than men as more girls than boys are coming out of all levels of education with higher grades. If this is still a society that sees women as less than men then God knows where I’ve been for the past 2 decades.”
Alice Morley, second year, American Studies
“Feminism for me is all about opportunity, and the way those opportunities are restricted in the world around us. I love now that I live in a world where if I want to go out and have a career, theoretically, my gender plays no part in that. I know that feminism in England and the world at large still has a long way to go, but I am excited to be a part of that change. I think really the reason that feminism is perceived as being bad is that a lot of people don’t understand it. It is much bigger than anyone of us individually, together (and this is going to sound super cheesy) we can change the world for women everywhere”
Anonymous, second year, History
“It’s about fighting for equality for both men and women. For equal rights and opportunities, and employment and promotion based on merit and not filling quotas or favouring men. Some more radical people give feminists a bad name for “hating” men, which is really not what feminism should be about.”
Nicolle Wilkes, second year, Sociology and Social Anthropology
“If someone comes up to you and says that feminism ignores certain issues or that feminists want to dominate men or whatever then they don’t know what feminism is. To me, feminism is not having to be scared when I walk around the streets, it’s knowing when I find work, I’ll be as likely to be in managerial positions as men, and it’s hoping that one day saying you’re a feminist doesn’t invite insults, raised eyebrows, or ‘but why?'”
Molly Savill, second year, Psychology
“Feminism means equal rights for men and women, and nothing more than that.”
George Richardson, second year, Film Studies
“I think that any movement that wants to promote unilateral equality is a good one.”