Hello everybody. In this thread I will be arguing that feminism is evil, and that we need a better, more equitable gender movement. The basic reasons for this are:
1. Feminism is anti-male
For example -- Feminism teaches that a "patriarchy" runs the world. It teaches that men benefit from this, and women are disadvantaged by this. This creates an atmosphere of disdain towards males. Males are taught that they need to correct themselves and their sons ("teach boys not to rape"), that they have a "toxic masculinity", and that even appreciating the beauty of a woman is akin to abuse.
If we look at the world through a more objective lens, we see that there is no "patriarchy", or at least that it does not benefit men at the expense of women. Gender roles have pros and cons for both genders, and while I support moving beyond these roles, claiming that men had it "easier" is just dishonest.
No, most feminists teach that "patriarchy" disadvantages
both men and women, or at least most men as well as women.
Patriarchy does not mean rule my males. Literally it means rule by fathers, or less literally a rule by an elite group of men who think of themselves as filling the role as sorts of authoritarian father figures responsible for protecting and controlling their family or society at large.
(I like to refer to John Locke's great Classical Liberal tome as "Against the Patriarchy" instead of "Two Treatises on Civil Government," as they were literally written as a refutation of Filmer's "Patriarcha," which had argued for the divine right of kings on the grounds that the role of king and father were literally the same.)
An overprotective father figure is if anything the biggest threat to young men he thinks are interested in his daughters. A stereotypical father is often much harder on his own sons than his daughters, in order to toughen them up and make them conform to their gender roles. In polygamous patriarchal societies, it is impossible for most males to ever find a mate and boys who disappoint their fathers are regularly disowned and kicked out of the family with no way to support themselves.
Patriarchy tends to refer not to the ruling males themselves but to the mindset their embody.
Patriarchy teaches boys that they should not have or at least express their emotions (except anger, jealousy, or pride), but must be tough, aggressive, dominant figures on whom others may depend but who must not show shameful weakness by asking for help or depending on others. Patriarchy teaches as natural a rather unnatural norm demanding one gender be dominant and the other submissive, rather than letting either enjoy the benefits of egalitarian relationships.
"Toxic masculinity" does not refer to anything inherent about being male, but rather to oppressive social norms around maleness that cause psychological distress in those males who fear they cannot live up (or down) to the stereotypes.
Teaching boys not to rape is just instilling the basic human decency to respect other person's bodily autonomy and not try to coerce any sex acts without consent.
2. Feminism is anti-sex
For example -- If women are portrayed in a way that is sexually appealing to men, that is the "male gaze" and it harms women, according to feminism. I think this is totally perverted, one of the greatest aspects of women is their beauty. Men are designed to appreciate this, and in fact it gives women a certain power over men who find them attractive. That's part of the biological force that keeps our species going.
Some feminists are anti-sex, but many are very sex-positive.
Most feminists have nothing against men (or women) appreciating female beauty, only with viewing physical beauty as the "greatest aspect" of women. Such objectification is dehumanizing and may prevent women from being appreciated for their many other virtues, or even rejected for their vices. Praising a woman's beauty on occasion is fine, but not if it is the only thing that merits praise. Intelligence, compassion, determination, creativity, humor, etc., all deserve at least equal appreciation.
There is a major difference between looking at a woman and leering at them in ways that make them uncomfortable.
Sex-positive feminists are very much in favor of everyone enjoying sex, so long as there is true, informed, enthusiastic consent. The problem is not sex, but having anyone feel pressured to conform to a sexual role with which one is not comfortable.
3. Feminism is whiny
For example -- Despite having laws in place since the 1960's which ban pay discrimination based on gender, feminists still like to complain about the "gender pay gap". On International Women's Day, women skipped work and protested in the street, to show people a "day without women". This is just childish, and certainly not a good way to advance in your career. What exactly are they trying to accomplish anyways? Do they want a law that mandates all employees receive the same pay? Nothing comes out of protests like that besides the feminist victim complex becoming more solidified.
We need a better gender movement, one that recognizes the sacrifices and merits of both genders. One that does not shame one gender, and makes the other a victim. One that recognizes that men and women are merely two parts of the whole, and stresses unity rather than division.
Yeah, some of them are whiny, but no more whiny than you were in your opening post.
Don't be pedantic about the adjectives I used. They are apt, and you should be honest enough to acknowledge that. And don't forget: The word "evil" is in the thread title. You can't wiggle out of that, or accuse me of lying when I say you used it.
