The Divide of Modern-Day Feminism

By Rachel Max ‘24
While feminism has faced opposition and division since its inception, modern feminism faces it in unprecedented amounts. This new divide is not just between those that oppose gender equality and those that fight for it, but a debate over what a feminist is and should be.

Feminism is a dynamic movement, one constantly changing to grapple with modern issues, but has, at its core, always been about supporting women and achieving gender equality. Yet in modern times, the feminist movement has become heavily politicized and painted as extremist.
We are currently in the fourth wave of feminism, which began around 2012 with the increasing social media and internet use.  This wave focuses on bodily autonomy and equal opportunity, and is against gender-based violence or discrimination. Social media outreach, in particular, has encouraged many women towards feminist ideals.   
Yet the amount of women who would describe themselves as feminists is a mere fraction of the number of women who believe gender inequality is an issue. For whatever reason, feminists are afraid to label themselves as such due to negative stigma surrounding the movement. 
The ideals since the original movement of feminism have and continue to differ greatly from the definition of feminism we see today. Most women agree that these developments are for the better, yet still reject the name. 
A large part of opposition to modern feminism is the fear of being labeled an extremist, along with the preconceived notion that the fight for gender equality is already over. Feminists are also often perceived as blindly hating men, seeking not to gain equality by raising up women but by putting down men. This general lack of understanding has resulted in feminism being viewed as extremist, causing a fear of labeling oneself as a feminist.
The stereotype of feminism and feminists today has been perverted into an image of those who belittle men and place women on a higher pedestal, damaging the causes of women’s rights and gender equality as a whole. 
Ultimately, there is no wrong way to be a feminist, and the notion that being a feminist is an extremist political statement should be discarded. Anyone can and should be a feminist, regardless of gender identity. Women must unite and fight for their equality, rather than letting stereotypes and stigma divide them. The fight for equality will never end unless we all come together.