This chart was made from results of a Washington Post / Kaiser Family Foundation Poll -- done between May 21st and June 17th of a random national sample of 1,610 adults, and has a 3 point margin of error. It shows that only 60% of women and 33% of men say they are feminists, while 32% of women and 55% of men say they are not feminists. Frankly, I find those numbers shocking.
I don't understand. Do people still believe the old right-wing lie that feminism is a lesbian plot against men? Surely not. I'd like to think Americans are smarter than that. Do they still think that equality is a zero-sum game -- and if one group is given rights, then another group must lose rights? I hope not, because that is a stupid idea (whether applied to women, race, or the LGBT community). Making sure all people have the same rights does not take rights away from anyone.
Maybe people just don't understand the term feminism. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines feminism as "the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities". That's it. If you believe that, then you are a feminist.
How could anyone not be a feminist? Do you really believe more than half of our population should have less rights and opportunities than the rest? Do you really believe your mother, wife, sister, daughter, aunt, niece, or female cousin or friend should have less rights and opportunities than men have?
Personally, I believe we are either feminists or misogynists. There is no middle ground. You either believe women should have equal rights and opportunities or you don't, and if you don't then you are
a misogynist (prejudiced against women).
I have always been proud to call myself a feminist, and I simply don't understand why all Americans aren't the same way.
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