Feminism and Me...

When I was reading a book few days back, a small paragraph twitched me towards quite a few things and things still rankle my minds with the antithesis of right and wrong. I am putting all of those and my personal opinions in black and white here.

It is true and unfortunate that certain women are still being oppressed in many aspects. The prevailing male chauvinism (I am not using this word loosely) drives me up the wall. Gang rapes, Domestic violence, unfair Islamic & Iranian laws, etc..etc.. This list never seem to end. But why? Can't women be treated in a way similiar to men? Is there any unsaid rule that 'Male are Superior' (I dont mean anything Physical here)? Is it because men were seen as the one who supports the family (blah blah...) this superiority ego prevails? Is chauvinism conforming sexism? I feel like stoning the person with these beliefs to death. (I cant help being harsh) Is this feminism? Am I a feminist? I dont have an answer for these two questions.

I really haven't understood the term Feminism or Feminist in totality. I believe in Women's equality and am strongly against discrimination & oppression of ANY SEX. If ONLY THIS means Feminism, then I am a feminist. I have also faced many questions like, 'Being a male, are you not ashamed to raise your voice against male chauvinism?'. The only answer to this question is, 'N-O. NO'. Patriarchial thinking brings in the aspect of 'women being treated as sex object' and having a feeling of possession over the object(women are considered as an object unfortunately). This thinking has to be the first thing to be driven out of the society.

But, Is feminism male bashing? What do anyone get in bashing the other. One may only get a sense of satisfaction in abusing the other(even happy for scolding the other for his/her unbearable opinion). But is it fruitful? I dont think so. I personally consider that feminism has got nothing to do with female power and doesn't call for superiority of female sex over men. Chauvinism cannot be fought with chauvinism.

Feminism is like a religion where you believe both sexes are equal and follow the same in practice. The need of the hour is not to prove who is more powerful or who can abuse the other more? It is a high time for a balance. Will Patriarchy, the one that had gathered so much mass till today, give way for this equality thinking? Other banal arguement include, 'Women are instrumental in holding their place in the society and have strength to fight back patriachy'. (I dont agree with this...) This closeted ideas have to be broken first and the patriarchial dictatorship have to be eradicated from the society.

Also being a feminist is not a one to boast? It is as if boasting that 'I am a normal person'. The tralatitious acceptance of male domination might make a feministic opinions different, but really not a one to boast.

By talking of women being treated as inferior and getting less for what they bargained for, stresses the point of inequality further. Talking of men suffering & women prevailing or women suffering & men prevailing all just add weights to the opinion you are arguing for. For every suffering sex, there are many silent suffering opponent sex individuals side by side. Women being illtreated and men bullying have to change and the strong acceptance that everyone is equal should be there. Discriminate a person for the brain he/she has and not by gender. It shows the weaker part of a human.

Law have also been discriminating... I understand that women were oppressed mostly than men, but what if a man is harassed by a female? Is there a legal remedy?

To the lighter side; 'Is disliking Hon. Prathiba Patel an act of male chauvinism?' If so, then I am a Male chauvinist. I dislike her not for the gender but :)