When the word feminism is brought up, what comes to mind? Man-hater? Feminazi? Misandry maybe? Or perhaps you’ve never heard of that word before in your life. Not at all.

In modern times, especially in first world countries, considering yourself a feminist is something controversial and looked down upon the society. Some people often dislike a person who claims to being a feminist or a supporter of the movement.

What is feminism? Why do some people reject the idea of feminism?

And why do we, as a society and individually, need to be feminists?

Feminism is defined as the theory of the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes. It means that men and women should be treated equally and fairly in the society, in the law, and in the economy. If that is so, why isn’t feminism called Egalitarianism (egal = “all the same” in German), or Equalism, or Genderism instead? Feminism got its name in order to have gender equality, the situation needs to be seen in the view of the underprivileged, underserved gender – females. Advocating the right of the less privileged gender needs to be done in order to achieve gender equality.

Even though feminism is about advocating the rights of the less privileged gender – females, a lot of women do not call themselves feminists. This is because people think that in order to be a feminist one must need to have the hatred men, Misandry. This is not what is needed in feminism. What is needed are people, men and women, who are ready to speak up against the inequality that happens between genders.

It is apparent in the nature of society that men and women are not treated equally. Men often have more rights than women, even if everyone is aware of equal rights, men often have more benefits than women. The society places too many expectations on males and even more so on females. We call these expectations – gender roles. Men lead, women stay behind and take care of the children. Men are strong and tough, while women are soft and submissive. When the person is unable to perform this kind of role, he or she is considered less in the society.

“The problem with gender is that it prescribes how we should be rather then recognizing how we are.” – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (We Should All Be Feminist talk in TEDxEuston)

An example of the inequality we do in society is in the sexuality of a gender. When asked about the sexuality of a man and a woman, Holycrossians often answered that it is alright for the man to engage in many sexual relations, yet it is “unacceptable”, “hugaw”, “luod”, “lain” for a woman to engage in many sexual relations, let alone one. If a man and a woman are found to engage in a sexual relationship it is often the woman who gets the backlash and shame from everyone. The man on the other hand usually gets praise and encouragement from his friends, even though it was both of their decision to have a sexual relationship. If men have freedom of sexuality then so should women.

In this patriarchal society, it is often viewed that men should lead. Although this might have been the case in times before, now, is different. Before it was physical strength that was needed in order to survive, which the male gender possess biologically. Therefore men often led. Now we live in a world where intelligence and creativity are requirements of leading, the qualities which a female also possesses and often times possess greatly. We are lucky to live in a country where female leaders are familiar, because in other countries it is an abomination to have a female leader.

Women are expected to be decent in their clothing and actions, yet men are allowed to be indecent in their clothing and actions. People often criticize women for wearing too revealing clothing, but when we see a man shirtless and in shorts it is alright with us. Society often says that if women wear revealing clothing it invites temptation of men. This notion only invites the mentality that everything a woman does should be for men when really— it is not. It invites the idea that women only wear make-up in order to look good for men. It invites the idea that women only exist for the benefit of men.

The society does a great injustice to males. From the day they are born, men are oftentimes put into impossible standards. Men are expected to be hard, tough, and strong, calling them less of a man as if they are any less human if they do meet those standards. Because of this, men often grow up to have very fragile egos. Men are compelled to prove their masculinity all the time (expected to pay for everything, be violent, lead, etc.). The moment that a man is emasculated, called less of a man, they will do anything in order to regain that lost manhood. Even go to lengths to sacrifice their dreams and ambitions in life just so they could be called manly.

This sickening human nature that we have needs to be abolished because even though we have our differences, we are all humans. If in the eyes of God we are all equal, why can’t we treat each other the same? It is a necessity to be a feminist because what the society is doing is an injustice to itself. If men and women aren’t treated equally then it stops the two from ever achieving their potential.

Gender inequality is not an easy topic to discuss. When the topic of gender is brought up, people often find many ways to close the topic thus rendering it silent, limited, and unknown. But in order for there to be change, there is a need for awareness that requires us to go beyond our comfort zone and speak out about the injustices that are happening in our society. If we want change, we need to start raising our children differently. Instead of basing how we raise our children on their gender, we should start basing it on their abilities, and interests.

Feminism is the giving of equal opportunity to all genders. It is seeing that both genders can be free to do what they want without the restriction of roles or expectations. It is recognizing the potential of everyone not by his or her gender, but through his or her abilities and attitudes. It is seeing that women are as capable as men and that there is nothing wrong with being feminine. It is seeing that there isn’t only one type of man, but a variety of types with different interests, skills, and talents.

Although change might not happen right after reading this article, if we do our part then in the future, the views, thoughts, opinions, the culture of our society can and will change. Let us have a society that strives, embraces and encourages gender equality.

To do that, we, as a society and an individual, need to be feminists.

This article authored by Andrew Angelo Topinio was published in Excalibur, the magazine edition of Crossroads.