It’s really hard to call yourself a feminist when you realize that all major achievements of western feminism aren’t the direct result of activism but rather capitalism. To paraphrase DiCaprio’s Character from Django, activism had their curiosity, the financial incentive had their attention.

Industries and governments realised that they were essentially not capitalizing on 50% of the population.

Women in the work force wasn’t a noble grant of freedom, it was an increase in production and profit. If it were truly as noble as it is made out to be, they would’ve given them equal pay from the start.
Same thing goes for women being able to have their own bank account. Women having their own money means they will spend it, driving the economy. Even the right to vote just provides another angle of attack to influence and radicalize the population. Those are the 3 corner stones, work for capital and pay income tax, spend your money and pay sales tax and vote for whoever the TV tells you to vote. Everything else is just comfort to sweeten the deal. That’s also why 3rd wave feminism has grinded to a halt. The is no capitalist financial incentive to give women even one more inch of freedom than they already have.

Women haven’t won anything they’ve just gotten of the side lines, right into the corporate meatgrinder.

And now we’re here, where a two head family can’t afford to have a child because both members working 9-5 can barely support themselves financially, yet alone have the money or time to have a child. And neither corporations nor the government are eager to support them as if giving back even a single cent of profits is a cardinal sin.

Yes. Even in the most cynical light, standing with women is within my own self interest because my rights will surely erode alongside theirs. But also i like women and am disgusted with how they are treated socially and economically, and want that to change for the better. So a feminist i am.

I had professors ask us to raise our hands if we’re a feminist, and usually every young man did. This was in the Obama administration, before the right became so fascist, but still. We don’t expect you to have an equally deep understanding or to be familiar with academic feminist works. We just expect you to believe women are equally valuable individuals, who have the right to pursue their own happiness, live their lives how they want to live them, and be supported by their community in their health, wellbeing, and pursuits.

Yes. I was raised by feminist parents and have always supported equal rights and equal pay, and stood against misogyny and sexism. You’re right go not want to be presumptive, but the answer to that isn’t to shy away from feminism, it’s to listen.

My opinion as another cis dude: there are three things at play. (1) What is the definition of “feminism?” If you believe that women and men and everybody in between and beyond are equally worthy members of society and should not be discriminated against in any way, then you fit my definition and can call yourself a feminist. (2) I recognize that this is a hot button issue for some people unfortunately. I also see that other people may operate under a different definition. I give shit to anybody with opinions on the matter that go against (1). I don’t necessarily use the word “feminist” in that context because some words - good words! - have a way of closing people off like an oyster. “Woke” and “feminism” are two examples. Worthy concepts behind both in my view but the mere mention makes some people stop listening. Especially those who would benefit from widening their horizons. Humans are capable of rational thought but we don’t always do or behave that way. I’m dogmatic in my opinion but I’m not dogmatic in the language that I use so I try and adjust it to fit the situation. (3) Even among supposed allies you’ll find oddballs. You don’t want to be a self-professed feminist who mansplains feminism, just as an example.

In this mixed minefield, I think I want to be judged more by my actions than the terms I use.

I was raised with Gloria Steinem’s definition of feminism shaping my understanding, and have called myself a feminist since I was a child:

“A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men.”

A more modern and inclusive version of that same idea, adopted by UN Women:

“Feminism is the belief that everyone, regardless of gender, should have equal rights and opportunities.”

Feminism is a very complex grouping of movements and ideologies, but I think “membership” within them is very simple: if you believe in equality regardless of gender, you’re a feminist.

No, never.
Because I don’t even understand what feminism is. There’s so many conflicting opinions under that umbrella that the label doesn’t even make much sense to me.

I hesitate to call myself a feminist because it seems like there is a presumption of understanding women’s experiences

Being a woman is the only thing that gives you access to women’s experiences, but being a woman doesn’t automatically make you a feminist.

Understanding women’s experiences (i.e., being a woman) and being a feminist are orthogonal things.

Calling myself a feminist would be stolen valour.

I wouldnt, because it is not mine to claim the descriptor, if anything, I get highly suspicious if a man feels the need to mention they’re a feminist. If a woman describes my behaviour as feminist I’ll gladly wear it, and I do believe it would be a validation of what I believe in / my values.

Fuck the -ists and -isms. Consider policies and actions on their merit, not the label.