Oscar winner Patricia Arquette’s acceptance speech from this past weekend’s award show highlighted feminism. “To every woman who gave birth to every taxpayer and citizen of this nation, we have fought for everybody else’s equal rights. It’s our time to have wage equality once and for all, and equal rights for women in the United States of America,” Arquette says.

Amen to that! I have full respect for those who tastefully speak up against inequality and Arquette eloquently did so.

I support the equality between men and women. I believe feminists have the power to make the world a better place and improve upon the quality of life for women across the globe. Although I would not call myself an anti-feminist, I am also not a feminist for several reasons.

Sometimes feminism is taken too far. I shouldn’t have to feel like I need to filter my opinions on marriage or the things I enjoy to do just to appeal to the feminist ways of thinking.  I shouldn’t have to go to school and feel like I am being attacked because I don’t mind the idea of being the caregiver to my family which includes the stereotypical job description of women in the 50s. Feminists should be able to express their opinions freely, but this doesn’t need to be done in such a hostile way.

There is a common complaint that when schools instill a dress code they are oppressing women. Arguments against dress codes are often invalid due to the fact that a dress code is nothing against women, but rather promotes appropriate dress for the time and place. If one attends a public school and has signed an agreement for their code of conduct, there should be no arguments about the dress code. Boys also have to follow a dress code. They can’t walk through the halls shirtless or wander around in only compression shorts. The dress code is fair for both genders and is in place to keep everyone from being distracted. Even being a girl, I get distracted when I see another girl dressed inappropriately. Contrary to popular belief the dress code is not in place to just make sure boys aren’t distracted and have a more suitable learning environment.

There have even been extreme cases when feminism is taken way too far. One example of this is when a woman decided to have her baby aborted because she found out the baby was going to be a boy. She didn’t want to bring another boy into this world because she believes so strongly that men are “monsters”. Obviously, this is an extreme case and many feminists would never even think of doing something like that. However, it’s just an example of what taking things too far can result in. We need to remember men are not “monsters” and it’s not about becoming better than them, it’s about becoming equal to them.

Most of the time people who call themselves feminists are a joy to talk to and have great views and ideas that could truly benefit the female gender. Although, I find myself feeling attacked when I don’t share the same opinion as a feminist. It’s one thing to have a difference in opinions and for them to be expressed, but there is no need to be vicious. Feminism is a movement to create equality of both genders and the more girls on board with that, the better. I believe that it would be beneficial for the feminists and others who might not be feminists, to share the goal of equality. There is no need to get so worked up over the little things or attack others when there may be a small difference in opinion. Everyone has the right to their own opinions and we should respect that. As young women, we should all keep the main goal of equality in mind and build one another up to help achieve that.

http://thepunditpress.com/2015/02/07/feminist-aborts-son-because-he-was-a-boy-i-couldnt-bring-another-monster-into-the-world/