The Fear of Feminism

The phobia of feminism in young women today is alarming. This fear is due in part to the lack of education about feminism. Not many people teach these young girls who to look up to as role models. Most of them are idolizing the women in Hollywood movies or on TV. Oppression is reinforced by TV and the movies and is teaching girls to idolize the women who are being oppressed. Many of my cousins are all in this situation and it makes me rather sad. I want to open their eyes and show them what I have learned, the life they deserve. After reading Lisa Marie Hogeland’s article Fear of Feminism: Why Young Women get the Willies, I wanted to photo copy it and send it to all my female cousins. However, I would have added examples of all less familiar styles of women’s oppression. These girls need to be shown all of the ways they are oppressed, especially the ways they never considered. My cousins and all the young women I work with throughout my life must be taught about the equality they deserve. With my degree if hope to enhance the quality of living for as many children as possible. I want to teach all of my students about peace and equality in all its forms. These children will in turn teach other children with their actions and words. This sharing of knowledge will hopefully cause a chain reaction and bring about a wiser, more peaceful and accepting generation. Being a feminist is nothing to be ashamed of, it is no different from being anti-racist. Feminism is standing up for equality.

Tim Faucher