By now, most people have probably heard of the term “meninist.” According to an article published by the BBC, meninism started as a hashtag on Twitter back in 2013. What was originally created as joke between men used to convey the difficulties of being a man in the 21st century has since developed into a movement committed to attacking feminists and their beliefs.
In recent months, the meninist movement has gained popularity, trending on social media platforms such as Twitter and Reddit. Meninist supporters can now purchase T-shirts with phrases such as “I’m a meninist” and “#yesallmen,” an expression created in retaliation for the #yesallwomen hashtag used by women to share their experiences dealing with misogyny in society.
Despite feminism having been around for hundreds of years, there still seems to be confusion over the actual definition of the word. It is a common misconception that feminists believe women should step over men and invert the current power structure, rather than strive to be treated equally. Feminists are working to dismantle the patriarchy, or male supremacy in society, not to belittle men and overpower them.
It goes without saying that feminism has a stigma attached to it, and a lot of women don’t wish to be associated with the term, even though they agree with the goals and beliefs of the movement. The fear of being labeled a feminist alone proves that it is a crucial movement, vital to the improvement of women’s lives. Often, those who disagree with feminism try to use egalitarianism in its place, a term that refers to the belief that all people are equal. To use egalitarianism is to deny the fact that the movement for gender equality has its roots in women’s oppression by men, and that the patriarchy is as much the root of sexism as white supremacy is the root of racism.
The meninist movement, if it can be called that, does not support transgender men or black men or disabled men. It does not point to a social ill or offer a solution. Meninism is an attack on feminism, and its goals are to retain male privilege while ignoring the real problems caused by the patriarchy.
Although men in America do face problems because of gender inequality, they are caused by the patriarchy and not by an illusion of female supremacy. If men feel like they cannot be sensitive, it is because the gender roles associated with masculinity restrict emotional expression. If men feel they are being friendzoned, it is because their perception of women’s worth, a result of living in a patriarchal society, is limited to the woman’s availability as a romantic partner.
The bottom line is that even in 2015, both women and men face problems caused by gender inequality, but the meninist movement is not a movement for equality; it is an attack against it.
