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Alexa Graves
Mrs. Romirowsky
English 101
December 8, 2014
Fear Fear
Feminism is not to be feared; fear prevents change. In a rapidly developing
society, change is essential to productivity, and improvement. The reason many fear
feminism is because they are unsure of what kind of change it will bring. I can assure
those in fear that it is a positive change, even for men.
Most people are widely misinformed when it comes to feminism. The common
belief is that women are trying to attack men, and overrule them. However, the actual
purpose of feminism is for women and men to be able to come together to coexist as a
whole, and ensure that all social groups are ensured equal rights. Although feminism is
mainly promoting womens rights, that is just the first major step towards equality.
Womens rights are the catalyst for all second class citizens to have equal rights, which
means that not only "bra burning women are feminists.
Men can benefit from feminism for many reasons. One of the major pros is that
equal rights improve the economy. Some people argue that if a woman does a mans job
then it will offset the balance of society. However, gender equity creates better job
prospects for everyone. Countries with high gender equity rankings are more competitive.
Embracing this idea not only prepares boys for these transformed workplaces and a
global economy, but actually creates long-term opportunities. Studies also indicate that
boys with an entitled sense of power, based largely on gender, are less likely to do well
academically or to try as hard in school (Huffingtonpost). This means that since people
will be less educated, the productivity of the economy will not reach its full potential.
Feminism also has many other benefits, like helping prevent unplanned
pregnancy. Modern contraception and the development of reproduction rights for women
have significantly decreased the number of unplanned pregnancies (Huffingtonpost). It
also helps prevents rape, because women are viewed as being equal instead of being
objectified. Furthermore, feminism destroys the idea of gender roles, which are the social
and behavioral norms of each biological sex prescribed by society. With these roles, men
are expected to be the head of the household, have high paying jobs, distance their
emotions, and not raise their kids like a mother does. Feminism defies these concepts,
allowing both men and women to live the life they want to live. Men and women can
work at their dream job. Men and women can be stay at home parents. Men and women
can be themselves.
According to Mindy Townsend in Why Feminism Benefits Everyone;

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Boys stick with typically masculine toys and games much more consistently than
girls adhere to feminine ones, Harvard School of Public Health research associate
Andrea L. Roberts found. Biologically male children who defy those norms are
referred to doctors much earlier than biologically female ones who disdain girl
things, said Johanna Olson of the Center for Transyouth Health and
Development at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Even the criteria for diagnosing
gender dysphoria were historically much broader for effeminate boys than for
masculine girls.
Why? Masculinity is valued more than femininity, University of Utah law
professor Clifford Rosky said. So theres less worry about girls than about boys
(Care2).
Women and men can share household roles and working roles. It was proven in
World War II, when women had to perform mens jobs to support the war effort. As
Franklin Roosevelt famously announced in his first inaugural address, let me assert my
firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself (qtd. in Rosenman 11).
Feminism is not the enemy. I dont want my daughter growing up to believe that she isnt
valuable, or that she cant be a doctor. I dont want my son growing up to think that he
cant show emotions, or be a nurse. Most importantly, I dont want my children growing
up to think that they have to hold back their tears, because some moments are worth
crying over. Just like feminism is worth fighting for.

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Works Cited
Chemaly, Soraya. International Women's Day: 10 Reasons Why Feminism is Good For
Boys and Men. Huffingtonpost. 6 May 2012. Web. 4 Dec. 2014.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/soraya-chemaly/international-womensday_b_1324219.html
Rosenman, Samuel. Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself: FDRs First Inaugural
Address. Historymatters. 21 Oct. 2014. Web. 9 Dec. 2014.
<http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5057/>
Townsend, Mindy. Why Feminism Benefits Everyone. Care2. 1 Jan. 2014 Web. 4 Dec.
2014. <http://os.care2.com/all/why-feminism-benefits-everyone#4>