I ask because I saw this post today that makes me wonder...

What exactly do you guys think feminism is?? Perhaps I am not as well-acquainted with the beliefs that accompany this subreddit as I should be, but I am genuinely perplexed.

This post- as well as several others like the all time top post - either directly state or imply that feminism and masculism are polar opposites.

Really?

This just seems incredibly stupid to me.

Feminism is first and foremost a "theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes" and only secondly is it organized activity supporting the womens' movement.

Men's rights are also about the political, economic, and social rights- but this time, it's the rights of men.

Basically, both movements fight for rights. Why would you shoot your own movement in the foot by putting the blame on each other? I know feminism gets a bad rap because there are some very radical feminists out there that are basically men-haters (let it be known: I do NOT support this kind of thinking. It is just as harmful as misogyny). These radical feminists hurt the feminist movement because rather than fighting for equal rights- rather than fighting against the stereotypes and the prejudices that can unfairly keep women down, rather than making hatred and prejudice the enemy, they make men the enemy. And that is so, so wrong. And some men, such as this gentleman, do the same thing to Mens Rights. Rather than fighting against the stereotypes that hinder mens' lives, he makes an enemy out of women. He shoots his own movement and beliefs in the foot by doing this. Rather than actually progressing in what he believes, he circle-jerks perceived hatred of something that is not responsible for his troubles.

While I realize that Womens Rights and Mens rights aren't the same thing and they don't always coincide in beliefs, they are NOT polar opposites, and you should not treat them as such. Each is a cause that wants to fight against social, economic, and political prejudices that hinder the lives of its human constituents.

Men, women are not your enemy. Women, men are not your enemy. Prejudices and hatred are our enemy, that's it. To those who think otherwise: you are hurting your own cause by doing so.

Hating women will not change the fact that there are unfair advantages given to women in certain circumstances. Hating men will not change the fact that there are unfair advantages given to men in certain circumstances. Of course there are lowlife men and women who use these unfair advantages for their own selfish needs. It is unfair, and that's how life is. But we should rise above that and do our best to fight against such prejudices and unfairness in the hopes of eliminating them in the future. Any progress in the right direction is good. Sitting on our asses circle-jerking is not.

Before some angry people pounce on me, I want to make my own beliefs and hopes clear:

I am female and I support both Womens and Mens rights.

I think that trying to polarize qualities and rights as "masculine" or "feminine" is harmful to both sexes. It limits what we are and what we are not. (i.e., a female stereotype is that I need to be a mother and a house wife. That limits everything else I may want to do in life- like have a career or perhaps travel or do extensive studies, etc. Also, a male stereotype is that he must take care of women, be the rich supporter, etc. This completely limits men, as well. Instead of doing something that you love, you end up living life trying to keep others satisfied. It's extremely limiting and quite unfair on both sexes.)

I think trying to put the blame on groups of people ("women are the reason we must fight for mens rights" or "men are pigs, let's fight for womens rights") is absolutely ridiculous. It is circle-jerking, insulting, childish, and gets both movements absolutely nowhere.

Rather than be a proponent of feminism or masculism, I'd like to think that we're all part of the Human Rights movement. We're fighting for equality and fairness for all. (Let me be clear on economic equality. When I say "equality," I do NOT mean that jobs have to be 50% women and 50% men. I mean that there should be the equal opportunity. I think making rules saying that the Fire Department must have X amount of women hired is ridiculous. Hire people that deserve the jobs and work hard for it. No one should be given anything in life simply because they were born male or female. )

People should be given in life what they earn. I shouldn't be kept back in my career because I'm female, and men shouldn't be made into psycho perverts simply because they were born male. Gender Supremacy in all forms is evil.

All in all, hate the prejudices that limit all of us- don't blame the others who are also chained up in limits and hatred.

I'm not sure if I'm being very coherent - it is very late here and I am very tired- but it's something that has been bothering me and I wanted to get your guys' take on this topic.