Do you hate the patriarchy, or just all men – Feminism vs Misandry

To be able to understand why these two terms are not interchangeable and should never be interchangeable, let’s define them. The definition of feminism is the advocacy of women’s rights based on the equality of male and female. Feminism seeks to address and dismantle systemic inequalities that have historically disadvantaged women and marginalized genders. For many generations, the feminist movement has had one main goal: to achieve the same rights as men, whether the right to earn the same money as a man at the same job or just the right to walk by themselves without having to check over their shoulder or carry weapons just in case. Feminism advocates for equal pay for equal work, equal opportunities in education and professional fields, and safety from gender-based violence and harassment. It also emphasizes the need for equitable representation in various spheres of public and private life. These goals highlight a commitment to ensuring that women, and by extension all marginalized genders, are afforded the same respect, opportunities, and protections as their male counterparts. The definition of misandry is the dislike or hate for or ingrained prejudice against men – the opposite of misogyny – and what men think is feminism. Misandry is a negative and harmful attitude that unfairly targets men as a group, which is fundamentally different from feminist advocacy. While feminism aims to challenge and change systemic injustices, misandry is a prejudiced stance that undermines constructive dialogue and progress. It is vital to distinguish these two things as they have very different meanings and implications for society. Misandry, when mistaken for feminism, can create a harmful environment where the genuine objectives of gender equality are misunderstood and misrepresented, leading to further division and conflict.

Historically speaking, men have had a lot of resistance to the feminist movement’s attempts to disband the patriarchy, which, according to CNN is “a social system where men control a disproportionately large share of social, economic, political and religious power, and inheritance usually passed down the male line.” citing that bringing forth feminist ideals is just a ploy to get women to hate all men. Of course, this is complete rubbish. Feminism is built on the idea that women are put on the same pedestal as men – given the same opportunities, the same pay for the same job, the same trust and reliability one would give a man, contrasting the feminist movement by doing the opposite of what feminism aims to do: make the world a safe and equal place for both genders. This resistance often stems from a misunderstanding or deliberate misrepresentation of feminist goals. For example, opponents might argue that feminism seeks to undermine men's positions of power or challenge traditional gender roles in ways that are perceived as threatening. However, the true aim of feminism is to create a society where individuals, regardless of gender, have equal chances to succeed and thrive. This has been seen through the creation of movements like the #HeForSheCampaign, a campaign that was created by UN Women in September 2014. It was a campaign that was designed to encourage men and boys in the fight for gender equality to take an active role in advocating for women's rights and promoting gender equality both in their personal lives and in their communities.

Generations of sexism and holding back on giving women these rights have made women resentful towards men, and some misandrists have cowered behind feminist movements like UN Women. UN Women is a feminist organisation established in 2010 that works globally to promote gender equality and women's empowerment. It focuses on issues like working towards eliminating violence against women and advancing women’s economic, leadership and decision-making empowerment. Misandrists use movements like UN Women to justify their hate of men, which commend some men’s misguided notions that paint the feminist movement as an attack on men by enforcing rhetoric that inadvertently harms men, exaggerates arguments or misrepresents feminist ideologies as being anti-male. This can create a feedback loop where the presence of misandry in the name of feminism only reinforces the negative stereotypes about the movement held by some men, further deepening the divide. This robs the feminist movement of its “safe and equal” concept and it becomes something of a hate movement, which activists like Malala Yousafzai do not intend for the movement to devolve into something like that. Misandry disguised as feminism perpetuates division and hostility, slowing efforts towards genuine social change. To truly address and dismantle the structural inequalities that feminism seeks to challenge, it is crucial to distinguish between genuine feminist advocacy and the distortions that can undermine its purpose. The movement's core mission is about equality and justice, not about perpetuating animosity or resentment.

Feminism does not advocate for the domination or degradation of men, instead, critiquing the patriarchal systems that foster a sense of inequality, restricting and prioritizing the freedoms and rights of gender, aiming for a world and environment where all genders can feel safe and equal. The feminist critique targets the structures and norms that perpetuate gender-based inequities, rather than individuals. By challenging the patriarchal systems that confer unearned advantages to men while putting women and other marginalized groups at a disadvantage, feminism seeks to create a more just and equitable society. This involves questioning traditional gender roles, advocating for policies that promote gender equity, and supporting initiatives that address systemic biases. Feminism envisions a world where people are not judged or limited by their gender, where everyone has the freedom and opportunity to live without fear of discrimination or violence. This vision requires collaboration, understanding, and respect from all genders, emphasizing that the movement’s goals are not about diminishing men but about elevating everyone to a standard of equality and fairness.