Yes I am a feminist, but there is a lot I don't agree with in Western Feminism. I am a minority and focus mostly on issues that affect women from my culture/religion such as domestic violence, female genital mutilation, honor killings, forced dressed codes etc.

Although I was born and raised in America, I have seen hideous atrocities committed against women at the hands of men. I don't believe any of this occurs here (at least not systematically), and I appreciate and respect Western men and Western culture.

With that being said, and seeing the way women are treated in more primitive societies, I do have another way of seeing the whole Feminism vs. Mens Rights struggle. The way I see it is for the first time in history, since the women's lib movement, a woman's position in society has been elevated. (Please do not bring up an obscure matriarchal Mayan tribe or something, I'm talking about the norm not the exception)

The way I see it is, for the first time women have been in enough power to exploit men in ways men previously could only exploit women. I don't believe either gender is innately evil or innately good, I just feel humans have a tendency to be self-serving and no one's power should go unchecked, lest it be exploited.

What I wonder is if any of you feel the system beginning to be skewed towards women could possible be a result of laws not anticipating this equalization of power, where women are now finding themselves in situations where they have to make decisions they were never able to make before?

For example, the FBI defines rape as insertion into anus or vagina, but seeing more backwards societies, I can confidently say, that in patriarchal countries there is no concept of a woman raping a man, because would never be in a position to do so. In 2017 US, this is not the case anymore, and this law is outdated.

Due to the emphasis for years on males being the rapists, probably because for years the males were the rapists (not because it's in their nature, but because society was constructed in a way that males were able to rape far more than women were) males have now learned to be careful and respect rights of females, and a female's right to say no. Women were often subjected to trauma due to sexual exploitation, the effects of this have been well studied, and men are taught about the sensitive nature of a female undergoing such a trauma from a young age. Just like I defied my culture in accepting women are inherently inferior, I also defied the culture here that allowed women to take advantage of this sensitivity men were taught to cater to. I remember feeling disgusted when I would see little girls smacking little boys in kindergarten, and having it be completely justified.

What you guys have right is that I was never taught about these actions being harmful to humans, but always taught in context of these actions being harmful to women. In my culture this isn't applicable because the power differential is just too great for women to sexually abuse a man in any way, shape, or form. The culture here is different, so education and laws need to catch up with the women's lib movement. It may be cliche but I feel the quote "with great power comes great responsibility" is applicable here. I think women are in a new position of power, and they need to be taught things that men who were previously the sole benefactors of that power have been taught for decades.

What I disagree with is the sentiment that I get from this forum, that this movement feels men are losing their rights and women want to trample masculinity and male sexuality. I think the fact that the female status has been raised to enjoy new freedoms is something to appreciate, and realize it does not need to be at the cost of your own freedoms. Rather, energy should be redirected towards remodeling society for this new dynamic, and allow women to grow and learn in the same way you have overtime.