Toxic Feminism and a discussion of terminology.

I had an interesting, and by interesting I mean nonsensical, discussion over at /r/askfeminists the other day based around the concept of 'Is there any valid points against feminism?' The answer, as I am sure you have already guessed, was a resounding no. The reasoning was that #killallmen is never posted by real feminists, the National Organisation for Women are not real feminists, the feminists that created the Duluth Model are not real feminists, etc.

One of the main problems is that we have here is that most feminists are both reasonable, and (to go full #mansplain) completely unaware of what feminism actually is. Language such as 'feminazi' does not help as it loses allies and support, not gains it. It does not matter if you are correct if people do not understand your points. I feel within the MRA we tend to forget the the sheer level of misinformation and nonsense that most people are exposed to on a daily basis. There is no point alienating people who would otherwise support you.

So what I am proposing is a terminology change, and that we adopt the general phrase 'We have no problem with feminists, only toxic feminism'. This makes it clear that it is the behaviour of certain feminists we have a problem with, not the concept of womens rights (since the two concepts are synonymous in the mind of the general public).

If I would have to describe Toxic Feminism it would be:

• Viewing gender equality as a battle to win with men as the enemy. e.g. #killallmen.
• Trying to get favourable conditions for women regardless of the current gender bias, e.g. close womens prisons, grants for women in education.
• Enforcing traditional gender roles, e.g. Opposing shared parenting and alimoney reform.
• Revenge feminism, e.g. opposing remedying male issues under the guise of 'Well women have had it bad for years'

Anyway since adopting the above language I have had much more success in debates and getting people on-side with the problems faced. It lets people who are actually decent have an out, with 'well you are not toxic' and it also helps sow the seeds that certain aspects of feminism and feminists are toxic.