Asklemmy

I agree about avoiding knighting ourselves with the title of feminist because it's absolutely something some aggressors use to lower their target's guard, and because it's easy to call yourself something to gain social standing and then not deliver when the time comes

Otherwise absolutely do read feminist theory and act according to feminist convictions. Doing so without making it about yourself being one of the good ones only makes it better

No, never.
Because I don't even understand what feminism is. There's so many conflicting opinions under that umbrella that the label doesn't even make much sense to me.

No I’m not a feminist.

Feminism has had several waves with varying ideology behind it and I definitely don’t agree with all of the ideals espoused by feminists.

I’m a humanist egalitarian which better describes my position.

I think in the purest sense yes, a general platform of equality for genders.

However I'm growing increasingly cynical and wary of continuing to advocate more in this direction. Not that it's inherently wrong, it's that the movement has been co-opted by the capitalists. Very swift to make sure women still bear all of their responsibilities, now also must enter the workforce in order to make a combined living family income. Yet no additional social supports. Men's gender roles changing in society, but absolutely no future planning or accommodation for what men are supposed to change into, or what role to take.

We are slaves and I think it's always important to remember that. We get the scraps we're allowed. And all of the forward progress isn't as forward as we want to self-smugly believe. We are still being played as the underclass.

I'm not. Because I find that the movement possesses extremist views and perspectives that I simply cannot follow.

I do support the rights for women to have abortions, their body their choice, to have more equality and other things and I don't support misogyny. But I also do not condone the idea that men are all bad because a woman experienced just a couple of bad apples. I don't think women should have advantageous edges over men, because again, the idea is about equality, not about getting a leg over someone based on gender.

In the sense of "do women deserve equal treatment in society?" 100%!

I idolized my grandmothers as a kid, and they did a better job raising me than my actual parents. Both sides of the family always seemed much more matriarchal to me.

The one time I was ever in charge of anything was at a fairly sexist job and I repeatedly fought to get the ladies' pay more in line with the guys, I reported a few people to HR for making my staff uncomfortable, and I ensured the one employee got a private lactation area after she had a baby.

Now I volunteer with animal rehab, and that is a field that is about 90% women, and they are all so badass, compassionate, they do every job, and come from every walk of life.

To see all I've seen and to not think anyone deserves the same treatment as me because of their gender would be insane. I don't like labeling myself, because I'm always not going to fit someone's definition of that thing, they can call me whatever they want, but I like to see whoever is around me getting treated right.

I think the whole appeal of feminism for me, is the questioning and evaluation of rigid gender structures. I'm not sure if it's my place to call myself a feminist or not (since I'm non-binary). But I do think that feminism and queer issues are contiguous.

Yes. I was raised by feminist parents and have always supported equal rights and equal pay, and stood against misogyny and sexism. You're right go not want to be presumptive, but the answer to that isn't to shy away from feminism, it's to listen.

Calling myself a feminist would be stolen valour.

I used to, but I don't think I should any more. I've been kicked out of two feminist spaces:

1. Someone said childcare is exclusively a women's issue, as in men cannot or do not help with it, and I disagreed.

2. Someone said it was hilarious that some men think there are unique challenges men face that women do not, and I disagreed.

So if 100% of feminist groups I've joined don't believe I'm a feminist, I guess I'm not a feminist. I guess you could say I failed the purity tests.

When I thought of myself as a cis man I considered myself a feminist, but I didn't call myself one. Maybe I would've if someone asked directly, but no one ever did. Mostly there wasn't any reason to say so that wasn't performance; better to act and think in accordance with the principles than conspicuously claim it.

I believe that every human is a human with equally complex lives who all deserve equal opportunities and the right to self-determination regardless of gender, race, or any other uncontrollable factor.

So yes, I would consider myself to be a feminist.

It's really hard to call yourself a feminist when you realize that all major achievements of western feminism aren't the direct result of activism but rather capitalism. To paraphrase DiCaprio's Character from Django, activism had their curiosity, the financial incentive had their attention.

Industries and governments realised that they were essentially not capitalizing on 50% of the population.

Women in the work force wasn't a noble grant of freedom, it was an increase in production and profit. If it were truly as noble as it is made out to be, they would've given them equal pay from the start.
Same thing goes for women being able to have their own bank account. Women having their own money means they will spend it, driving the economy. Even the right to vote just provides another angle of attack to influence and radicalize the population. Those are the 3 corner stones, work for capital and pay income tax, spend your money and pay sales tax and vote for whoever the TV tells you to vote. Everything else is just comfort to sweeten the deal. That's also why 3rd wave feminism has grinded to a halt. The is no capitalist financial incentive to give women even one more inch of freedom than they already have.

Women haven't won anything they've just gotten of the side lines, right into the corporate meatgrinder.

And now we're here, where a two head family can't afford to have a child because both members working 9-5 can barely support themselves financially, yet alone have the money or time to have a child. And neither corporations nor the government are eager to support them as if giving back even a single cent of profits is a cardinal sin.

My opinion as another cis dude: there are three things at play. (1) What is the definition of "feminism?" If you believe that women and men and everybody in between and beyond are equally worthy members of society and should not be discriminated against in any way, then you fit my definition and can call yourself a feminist. (2) I recognize that this is a hot button issue for some people unfortunately. I also see that other people may operate under a different definition. I give shit to anybody with opinions on the matter that go against (1). I don't necessarily use the word "feminist" in that context because some words - good words! - have a way of closing people off like an oyster. "Woke" and "feminism" are two examples. Worthy concepts behind both in my view but the mere mention makes some people stop listening. Especially those who would benefit from widening their horizons. Humans are capable of rational thought but we don't always do or behave that way. I'm dogmatic in my opinion but I'm not dogmatic in the language that I use so I try and adjust it to fit the situation. (3) Even among supposed allies you'll find oddballs. You don't want to be a self-professed feminist who mansplains feminism, just as an example.

In this mixed minefield, I think I want to be judged more by my actions than the terms I use.

I wouldnt have 5 years ago, but I would today, but I'd still say I'm a Marxist first

I did until the gender wars intensified online. Now suddenly the word feminist conjures up images of wild misandrists.

I still believe in the core concepts, but now since all the big systemic fights have already been won its just Bill and Ted rules.

I think modern feminism does more harm than good, since it is what makes separation visible in the first place. Since I view separation as the root of virtually every problem in human history, I would therefore consider myself a “humanist” who views all people—regardless of gender, skin color, origin, or other characteristics that could serve to create separation—as equal. We must overcome this division.

No. I would not. I don’t like the label - but I’m in no way opposed to their position. Rather smugly I’d like to claim I’m an egalitarian.

I wouldnt, because it is not mine to claim the descriptor, if anything, I get highly suspicious if a man feels the need to mention they're a feminist. If a woman describes my behaviour as feminist I'll gladly wear it, and I do believe it would be a validation of what I believe in / my values.