What is Feminism?
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "feminism" as "the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes." Most people would inherently agree with that definition, and most Christians would also agree, stating how God created both man and woman in His image.
So, why is it that "feminism" has become such a dirty word in the Christian community? What is really behind the "f" word- feminism? And why are Christians discouraged from identifying with this movement?
The history of feminism is vast and would take many pages of text to thoroughly explain. This website explains the three waves of feminism quickly and accurately. The first wave of feminism was actually led by Christian women who demanded the right to vote, advocated for child labor laws, and protection of married women in abusive relationships!
Now, it's 2017, and many people are asking why we still need feminism. Women have rights, so why are we still complaining? What are we really advocating for? Christians especially perceive feminists as progressive, nipple-free, baby-killers who are above men and are seeking to destroy the institution of marriage. "Man-haters," as many believe feminists are, actually describes misandrists- the opposite of misogynists. The dictionary defines a "misandrist" as a "person who dislikes, despises, and is strongly prejudiced against men."
I am a Feminist Because
I am a feminist because the pay gap still exists.
I am a feminist because rape culture still exists.
I am a feminist because dress codes solely aimed at young girls still exist.
I am a feminist because the systemic objectification of women still exists.
I am a feminist because the abuse of women still exists.
Most of all, I am a feminist because God created women in His image- Genesis 1:26-28.
Imagine with me my middle school years. At age 11, in sixth grade, I had a dress code. I wore a dress for picture day. It was my favorite- a white, halter neck sundress covered in flowers. I respected the dress code, so I wore a jacket to cover my shoulders. That day, I was stopped by every single one of my teachers. "Your dress is too low." "Your dress is too short." "Your dress is inappropriate." "You're going to distract your male teachers." I was humiliated. I was eleven years old. And I hadn't even started my period yet. I still looked like a child. I was a child.
All throughout middle school I was bullied for being chubby. I was told by a teacher that I couldn't wear a specific shirt because it was "too tight" on me (making me look too fat and unflattering) yet the thinner, thus more beautiful, girls were allowed to wear that shirt. I was tall for my age, so dresses and skirts looked shorter on me despite being knee-length; the amount of times I was told I couldn't wear something again for that reason was embarrassing. I was called out in front of my peers for what I was wearing multiple times. At swim parties, the girls were required to wear dark t-shirts over their suits while the boys went shirtless. We had countless talks about modesty and not being distracting to the boys whose hormones they couldn't control. I don't know what they talked to the boys about- I'm assuming it wasn't about respecting the girls and averting their eyes if they saw a bra strap. By the end of eighth grade, all of my pants that I owned were deemed too tight and inappropriate, yet we couldn't afford to buy more with two months of school left. So I had to wear them again, making me look disrespecting of the teachers.
Middle school pretty much traumatized me and I was taught to be ashamed of my body and prioritize the twelve-year-old boys who apparently had no control over themselves instead of my own spiritual health and my own physical health. Sophomore year, a boy I grew up with told me they used to discuss how fat I was in middle school. Humiliation washed over me, and I suddenly felt like a scared 12 year old again. How long will it take for people to understand that bullying like that is damaging to a girl's psyche?
I am a feminist because the boys education was prioritized over my own.
When I was 14, a few days before my 15th birthday, I went to the Creme with some friends. A 23 year old guy asked for my number. I declined, he left me alone. I came home, told my family, and I was met with, "Well, you dressed older so what did you expect?" About a year later, I was downtown with some friends. The sun hadn't yet set, and we were sitting outside in front of the water. Three men sat right next to us and I heard them whispering about us, so I told my friends that we should go back inside. As we were walking away, they talked about how we left and stared as we walked. August of 2015, I was washing the car in shorts and a t-shirt. A man drove by in his truck and whistled at me. I was 15 years old, and I felt violated. "Take it as a compliment," was the response from my mom. This year, I went to the BBQ festival with my friend. We were on the sidewalk and a man leaned out of his truck window, yelled that he would "date (my) fine ass" while the other two men in the truck just watched. I again felt violated. But I was later told that I need to be aware of my surroundings, not be out so late, and what did I expect? As if it was somehow my fault that I was sexually harassed.
I am a feminist because catcalling is still acceptable and I'm told to "take it as a compliment" or "watch what I'm wearing."
When I was 14, one of my closest friends came out about how she had been sexually abused by a family member since she was really young. Half the family still defended him. He was sentenced to six years in jail and he said that my friend had fabricated most of the story. I've had to watch her endure that pain for three years. I've had to watch her break down multiple times. And all her abuser got was six years in prison while some people defended him and didn't believe her. Sadly, her story is not unique. And it's a prime example of why rape is the most unreported crime.
1 out of 6 women in America have been victims of rape or sexual assault- the statistic is even higher for women on college campuses. About 2 out of 3 sexual assaults go unreported, and when a rape or sexual assault is reported, the victim tends to get blamed (see also the Brock Turner case). Marital rape was still legal until the 1970s, and it's still legal in many countries today. Yes, marital rape is a thing.
I am a feminist because the question "what were you wearing?" is still asked, and someone caught with weed spends more time in jail than a rapist does.
The 2016 presidential election is what spurred me to become interested in politics. Hillary Clinton was hated because of the Benghazi issue and the email scandal. I disagree with a lot of what she stands for, and I believe she's truly an ungodly woman who has made some unwise decisions. However, the fact that Donald Trump has been accused of numerous accounts of sexual assault, had a video released where he talked about sexually assaulting women, spews hatred of marginalized groups every chance he gets, and is overwhelmingly an unintelligent person yet he was still elected over Clinton (and other BETTER candidates) further proves how sexism still exists today.
I am a feminist because a man with a general hatred of anyone who isn't a rich, heterosexual white man was elected over a woman caught in some shady business.
I am a feminist because young girls around the world are victims of FGM. I am a feminist because women of other religions are abused in the name of their religion. I am a feminist because my religion is used as an excuse to police women's bodies. I am a feminist because we deserve autonomy over our bodies, and ultimately they belong to God, not the world.
Many people will see some of these examples as a girl being too sensitive. "Get over it, it's no big deal," is a common response. But, imagine for a minute that this was your life. That everyday you wake up and go into town, you have to be aware of your surroundings. Even in broad daylight. I challenge you to ask the women in your life if they have a "rape schedule" or a "rape plan-" basically, ask the women in your life if they plan how to avoid being raped, and in what settings they feel they could be assaulted (the answer is: virtually any setting- you're welcome).
Christianity and Feminism
Many Christians hate feminism because of the movement's support of abortion. They disregard the movement entirely for that reason. First, there are groups such as the Secular Pro-Life Feminists who are against abortion. Secondly, it's a valid argument and I agree that abortion is wrong! Jesus advocated for the lives of everyone. But I firmly believe that being a feminist does not mean you have to stand for abortion. However, I believe it's important to be educated on the topic and not scream at the women entering Planned Parenthood when you don't know her life, circumstances, or medical history. The documentary "She's Beautiful When She's Angry" discusses the Women's Liberation Movement in the 1960's and 1970's and brings to light many issues in regards to abortion and why it was so important to legalize it. While I still stand with the opinion that abortion is wrong, this documentary was extremely educational and helped me understand the issue a lot more.
Jesus represented the poor, oppressed, marginalized groups. Jesus spoke to the woman at the well who was slut-shamed by her community. He showed love and grace to her while others did not. That's what feminists advocate for- the love and acceptance of every woman despite race or life-choices.
God created man and woman to be equal. It's important to recognize that truth and not just accept it, but actually act like it's the truth. I believe that if Jesus was walking on the earth today, He would condemn the internalized misogyny in the church. Instead of judging a pregnant teenager, He would rescue her and help her. Instead of telling a 14 year old girl to cover her shoulders, He would tell the older men to pluck out both eyes if need be. Matthew 18:8-9 discusses how if one eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. And if a hand or a foot causes you to sin, cut it off. I'm at a loss as to how people can defend a grown man lusting after a teenage girl- telling her to cover herself instead of telling him to look away.
We are so often taught from a man's point of view in the world. If the church took the time to understand the struggles that every woman faces every day of her life, perhaps it would be more sensitive to women's issues. Yet it's somehow seen as sinful for a Christian woman to call herself a feminist or discuss women's issues in the church. It's somehow sinful for a woman's top priority to not be finding a husband and having children. Do we forget that in Acts, Lydia, a woman, hosted a church in her home? It was the first church in Philippi. Yet we still teach young girls that all they have to strive for is marriage and motherhood. Yes, both marriage and motherhood are beautiful institutions of creation. The very concept of marriage mirrors Christ's relationship with the church. However, God sometimes uses both men and women to serve Him for a greater purpose other than marriage. It's harmful to young girls to constantly be instilling in them the idea that becoming a wife and mother is all they were created for.
I could write a book on Christianity and feminism and how both can coexist. There is so much I could add to this post that it has the potential to become a book. I'm a teenage girl, and my opinions right now are strong ones. I'm not the wisest person on the earth, and I certainly have so much more to learn about what the Bible teaches. I've spent long amounts of time researching and praying over these issues. Yes, my opinions will not be concrete for the rest of my life and are subject to change. However, I am using my personal experiences to explain why I have come to the conclusion that I identify as a feminist, and more importantly as a daughter of God. God created me for Himself, no one else. And that's the mentality that we need to have.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "feminism" as "the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes." Most people would inherently agree with that definition, and most Christians would also agree, stating how God created both man and woman in His image.
So, why is it that "feminism" has become such a dirty word in the Christian community? What is really behind the "f" word- feminism? And why are Christians discouraged from identifying with this movement?
The history of feminism is vast and would take many pages of text to thoroughly explain. This website explains the three waves of feminism quickly and accurately. The first wave of feminism was actually led by Christian women who demanded the right to vote, advocated for child labor laws, and protection of married women in abusive relationships!
Now, it's 2017, and many people are asking why we still need feminism. Women have rights, so why are we still complaining? What are we really advocating for? Christians especially perceive feminists as progressive, nipple-free, baby-killers who are above men and are seeking to destroy the institution of marriage. "Man-haters," as many believe feminists are, actually describes misandrists- the opposite of misogynists. The dictionary defines a "misandrist" as a "person who dislikes, despises, and is strongly prejudiced against men."
I am a Feminist Because
I am a feminist because the pay gap still exists.
I am a feminist because rape culture still exists.
I am a feminist because dress codes solely aimed at young girls still exist.
I am a feminist because the systemic objectification of women still exists.
I am a feminist because the abuse of women still exists.
Most of all, I am a feminist because God created women in His image- Genesis 1:26-28.
Imagine with me my middle school years. At age 11, in sixth grade, I had a dress code. I wore a dress for picture day. It was my favorite- a white, halter neck sundress covered in flowers. I respected the dress code, so I wore a jacket to cover my shoulders. That day, I was stopped by every single one of my teachers. "Your dress is too low." "Your dress is too short." "Your dress is inappropriate." "You're going to distract your male teachers." I was humiliated. I was eleven years old. And I hadn't even started my period yet. I still looked like a child. I was a child.
All throughout middle school I was bullied for being chubby. I was told by a teacher that I couldn't wear a specific shirt because it was "too tight" on me (making me look too fat and unflattering) yet the thinner, thus more beautiful, girls were allowed to wear that shirt. I was tall for my age, so dresses and skirts looked shorter on me despite being knee-length; the amount of times I was told I couldn't wear something again for that reason was embarrassing. I was called out in front of my peers for what I was wearing multiple times. At swim parties, the girls were required to wear dark t-shirts over their suits while the boys went shirtless. We had countless talks about modesty and not being distracting to the boys whose hormones they couldn't control. I don't know what they talked to the boys about- I'm assuming it wasn't about respecting the girls and averting their eyes if they saw a bra strap. By the end of eighth grade, all of my pants that I owned were deemed too tight and inappropriate, yet we couldn't afford to buy more with two months of school left. So I had to wear them again, making me look disrespecting of the teachers.
Middle school pretty much traumatized me and I was taught to be ashamed of my body and prioritize the twelve-year-old boys who apparently had no control over themselves instead of my own spiritual health and my own physical health. Sophomore year, a boy I grew up with told me they used to discuss how fat I was in middle school. Humiliation washed over me, and I suddenly felt like a scared 12 year old again. How long will it take for people to understand that bullying like that is damaging to a girl's psyche?
I am a feminist because the boys education was prioritized over my own.
When I was 14, a few days before my 15th birthday, I went to the Creme with some friends. A 23 year old guy asked for my number. I declined, he left me alone. I came home, told my family, and I was met with, "Well, you dressed older so what did you expect?" About a year later, I was downtown with some friends. The sun hadn't yet set, and we were sitting outside in front of the water. Three men sat right next to us and I heard them whispering about us, so I told my friends that we should go back inside. As we were walking away, they talked about how we left and stared as we walked. August of 2015, I was washing the car in shorts and a t-shirt. A man drove by in his truck and whistled at me. I was 15 years old, and I felt violated. "Take it as a compliment," was the response from my mom. This year, I went to the BBQ festival with my friend. We were on the sidewalk and a man leaned out of his truck window, yelled that he would "date (my) fine ass" while the other two men in the truck just watched. I again felt violated. But I was later told that I need to be aware of my surroundings, not be out so late, and what did I expect? As if it was somehow my fault that I was sexually harassed.
I am a feminist because catcalling is still acceptable and I'm told to "take it as a compliment" or "watch what I'm wearing."
When I was 14, one of my closest friends came out about how she had been sexually abused by a family member since she was really young. Half the family still defended him. He was sentenced to six years in jail and he said that my friend had fabricated most of the story. I've had to watch her endure that pain for three years. I've had to watch her break down multiple times. And all her abuser got was six years in prison while some people defended him and didn't believe her. Sadly, her story is not unique. And it's a prime example of why rape is the most unreported crime.
1 out of 6 women in America have been victims of rape or sexual assault- the statistic is even higher for women on college campuses. About 2 out of 3 sexual assaults go unreported, and when a rape or sexual assault is reported, the victim tends to get blamed (see also the Brock Turner case). Marital rape was still legal until the 1970s, and it's still legal in many countries today. Yes, marital rape is a thing.
I am a feminist because the question "what were you wearing?" is still asked, and someone caught with weed spends more time in jail than a rapist does.
The 2016 presidential election is what spurred me to become interested in politics. Hillary Clinton was hated because of the Benghazi issue and the email scandal. I disagree with a lot of what she stands for, and I believe she's truly an ungodly woman who has made some unwise decisions. However, the fact that Donald Trump has been accused of numerous accounts of sexual assault, had a video released where he talked about sexually assaulting women, spews hatred of marginalized groups every chance he gets, and is overwhelmingly an unintelligent person yet he was still elected over Clinton (and other BETTER candidates) further proves how sexism still exists today.
I am a feminist because a man with a general hatred of anyone who isn't a rich, heterosexual white man was elected over a woman caught in some shady business.
I am a feminist because young girls around the world are victims of FGM. I am a feminist because women of other religions are abused in the name of their religion. I am a feminist because my religion is used as an excuse to police women's bodies. I am a feminist because we deserve autonomy over our bodies, and ultimately they belong to God, not the world.
Many people will see some of these examples as a girl being too sensitive. "Get over it, it's no big deal," is a common response. But, imagine for a minute that this was your life. That everyday you wake up and go into town, you have to be aware of your surroundings. Even in broad daylight. I challenge you to ask the women in your life if they have a "rape schedule" or a "rape plan-" basically, ask the women in your life if they plan how to avoid being raped, and in what settings they feel they could be assaulted (the answer is: virtually any setting- you're welcome).
Christianity and Feminism
Many Christians hate feminism because of the movement's support of abortion. They disregard the movement entirely for that reason. First, there are groups such as the Secular Pro-Life Feminists who are against abortion. Secondly, it's a valid argument and I agree that abortion is wrong! Jesus advocated for the lives of everyone. But I firmly believe that being a feminist does not mean you have to stand for abortion. However, I believe it's important to be educated on the topic and not scream at the women entering Planned Parenthood when you don't know her life, circumstances, or medical history. The documentary "She's Beautiful When She's Angry" discusses the Women's Liberation Movement in the 1960's and 1970's and brings to light many issues in regards to abortion and why it was so important to legalize it. While I still stand with the opinion that abortion is wrong, this documentary was extremely educational and helped me understand the issue a lot more.
Jesus represented the poor, oppressed, marginalized groups. Jesus spoke to the woman at the well who was slut-shamed by her community. He showed love and grace to her while others did not. That's what feminists advocate for- the love and acceptance of every woman despite race or life-choices.
God created man and woman to be equal. It's important to recognize that truth and not just accept it, but actually act like it's the truth. I believe that if Jesus was walking on the earth today, He would condemn the internalized misogyny in the church. Instead of judging a pregnant teenager, He would rescue her and help her. Instead of telling a 14 year old girl to cover her shoulders, He would tell the older men to pluck out both eyes if need be. Matthew 18:8-9 discusses how if one eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. And if a hand or a foot causes you to sin, cut it off. I'm at a loss as to how people can defend a grown man lusting after a teenage girl- telling her to cover herself instead of telling him to look away.
We are so often taught from a man's point of view in the world. If the church took the time to understand the struggles that every woman faces every day of her life, perhaps it would be more sensitive to women's issues. Yet it's somehow seen as sinful for a Christian woman to call herself a feminist or discuss women's issues in the church. It's somehow sinful for a woman's top priority to not be finding a husband and having children. Do we forget that in Acts, Lydia, a woman, hosted a church in her home? It was the first church in Philippi. Yet we still teach young girls that all they have to strive for is marriage and motherhood. Yes, both marriage and motherhood are beautiful institutions of creation. The very concept of marriage mirrors Christ's relationship with the church. However, God sometimes uses both men and women to serve Him for a greater purpose other than marriage. It's harmful to young girls to constantly be instilling in them the idea that becoming a wife and mother is all they were created for.
I could write a book on Christianity and feminism and how both can coexist. There is so much I could add to this post that it has the potential to become a book. I'm a teenage girl, and my opinions right now are strong ones. I'm not the wisest person on the earth, and I certainly have so much more to learn about what the Bible teaches. I've spent long amounts of time researching and praying over these issues. Yes, my opinions will not be concrete for the rest of my life and are subject to change. However, I am using my personal experiences to explain why I have come to the conclusion that I identify as a feminist, and more importantly as a daughter of God. God created me for Himself, no one else. And that's the mentality that we need to have.
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