THE DARK SIDE OF FEMINISM: A CRITICAL LOOK AT TOXIC FEMINISM
Feminism is a movement that seeks to promote gender equality and advocate for the rights of women. It is a movement that has brought about positive change such as equal pay, reproductive rights, and more opportunities for women in different fields. However, there seems to be a growing sentiment among some that feminism has become toxic. While feminism has undoubtedly brought about positive change, there are some concerns that the movement has taken a negative turn in recent years. One form of toxic feminism is ‘femonationalism’ and neoliberal feminism which promote the idea of ‘neoliberal equality’ for well-educated women while ignoring the struggles of working-class women and women of color. This can result in a lack of inclusivity and intersectionality, which are vital for addressing the needs of all women. Additionally, some feminists have been criticized for using aggressive tactics and promoting cancel culture. These methods can cause division rather than unity and may turn people away from the movement instead of inspiring them to join.
Toxic feminism can manifest itself in many ways, such as female supremacy, male demonization, discrimination against men in hiring and promotion processes, and the promotion of double standards. It is important to note that while there may be some toxic elements of feminism, they do not represent the movement as a whole. It is important to recognize that true feminism is about equality for all genders, not the oppression of one gender over another. It is worth noting that feminism has been instrumental in promoting equal opportunities for women in areas such as education, employment, and politics. Additionally, feminism has also played a vital role in promoting gender sensitivity and raising awareness about issues such as sexual harassment and domestic violence. Feminism and misandry are not the same thing. It is important to separate the two concepts and understand that feminism seeks to create a more equitable society for all genders, while misandry perpetuates harmful stereotypes and reinforces gender inequality. While feminism has been instrumental in driving meaningful change toward gender equality, a fringe subset of the movement takes things too far. This extremist version of feminism, characterized by a highly stigmatized and negative notion of the movement, is unfortunately perpetuated by stereotypes such as “man-hating,” “militant,” and “anti-male.” These negative stereotypes associated with extremist feminism not only discourage women from claiming a feminist identity but also contribute to the devaluation of gender equality. In addition, this extremist feminism can be counterproductive by emphasizing confrontation rather than cooperation and dialogue. Moreover, extremist feminism challenges traditional practices such as family and collectivism that are favored in Japan. Furthermore, this extremist feminism is not limited to Japan but can be found in many parts of the world. This type of feminism often views men as the oppressors and seeks to eliminate their privilege and power. However, it is important to note that extremist feminism is not representative of the feminist movement as a whole and many feminists do not support or condone these. Some examples of pseudo-feminism include companies using feminist rhetoric for profit, claiming to support women in leadership roles while still paying them less than their male counterparts, and individuals claiming to be feminists while simultaneously perpetuating harmful stereotypes or engaging in discriminatory behavior. One form of pseudo-feminism that has emerged in recent years is “pastoral feminism,” which is prevalent on Chinese social media platforms such as Zhihu.
Feminism was never about men paying more tax than women while both get paid equally. Why only men are supposed to pay tax while women are excluded from it? Why do only women have reserved seats, not men? Promoting nudity under the name of feminism is erroneous. Women who work for a male boss are content with it, but when it comes to cooking for their man, they feel its unfair and believe that the man should cook for them when they get home fatigued, even though both partners work and attempt to provide for their family. Pseudo-feminism turning into misandry is projecting an antagonist stance toward men. This trend is concerning as it inverts the true meaning of feminism, which is to advocate for equal rights and opportunities for all genders. Misandry, or hatred or prejudice against men, is often used as a means to discredit feminism and promote a false narrative that women are seeking to dominate men. It is essential to recognize that true feminism promotes gender equality and does not seek to create a “battle of the sexes.” This kind of pseudo-feminism can have detrimental effects on the fight for gender equality, as it risks alienating men and creating division between genders. We need to educate ourselves to accurately identify true feminism from pseudo-feminism and misandry. Instead of pitting men against women, we should strive to work together towards creating a society where everyone is treated with respect and dignity regardless of their gender. A recent study found that these negative perceptions of feminism have infiltrated the mainstream and contributed to a misunderstanding of what true feminism represents. As such, it is imperative that we actively challenge and reject the toxic elements of pseudo-feminism and misandry to create a more inclusive and equal future for all.
