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by Anonymous on July 28th, 2006

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Why do some men use the term "feminist" as an insult against women who don't agree with them?

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  • by Eric on June 22nd, 2009

    Eric

    Women use it too because feminists have built a reputation of being ball bustin man-haters. By saying things like these quotes by famous, respected feminists:

    "I feel that "man-hating" is an honorable and viable political act"

    "Sexism is NOT the fault of women -- kill your fathers"

    "remember that all men are strange as hell"

    "Men who are unjustly accused of rape can sometimes gain from the experience."

    "I claim that rape exists any time sexual intercourse occurs when it has not been initiated by the woman"

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  • by Tony on March 21st, 2008

    Tony

    Because feminists are known for their bias against, disdain for, and often outright hatred of men and things they want and/or are interested in. Most heterosexual women know this about feminists and don't want to be associated with it.

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  • by lizvelrene on July 30th, 2006

    lizvelrene

    It implies that they think the idea of a woman being equal to them is either laughable or threatening, probably both.

    The woman who's disagreeing with him is acting as though her opinions are just as valid as a man's. In reaction the man shuts her down by reminding her of her place, and reinforces the power structure that makes his opinion more important than hers.

    It also implies that he has no stronger defense for his ideas than a knee-jerk insult.

    In any case, it's usually a pretty good sign that you're talking to someone pretty clueless, and there's not much point in continuing the conversation.

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  • by meowchele@aol.com on August 5th, 2006

    meowchele@aol.com

    When you think of a stereo-typical "feminist" she is a man-hating, bitch who wants to eliminate men altogether. The negative connotation applied to feminism is a way to diminish its contribution to gender equality. Most people today hold 'feminist' views, but don't even realize them as such. Women in the workplace, stay-at-home dads, quality health care, housing for the poor, the right to birth control and safe, legal abortion -- thank feminism for these things. Studies show that men don't hate women, but hate the idea of women being seen as their equals. It has to do with the 'invisible power' that men in society have and an unwillingness to share this power. This is the same mentality as discrimination against people of color (think of the immigration issues that are so hot now) and gays. If we (as men or whites) allow women, people of color or homosexuals to have even a smidge of power, we lose our place of privilege. Also, men (in general) do not really feel (or dare acknowlege) that they have power, especially working class men, whom studies show are the most racist and/or sexist and/or homophobic. They feel that they worked for everything they have and no one should get a free ride (think affirmative action or "our relatives had to learn the language!"), if they couldn't get one (Protestant Work Ethic). What they fail to realize is that being born male or white (or both) opens doors for them. Doors they don't see and quite frankly don't have to. So, if the term 'feminist' is used as a put down, it's exactly that - meant to "put you down and keep you in your place". Revel in the fact that you pushed some buttons and threatened his macho ego. Here is a quote from Michael Kimmel's "Masculinity as Homophobia". It is just a profound piece of information that ties together men and their views of women, gays and people of color: "Homophobia is intimately interwomen with both sexim and racism. The fear...that others might perceive us [men] as homosexual propels men to enact all manner of exaggerated mansculine behaviors and attidude...[so] that no one could .. get the wrong idea about us. One of the centerpieces...is putting women down...by the ..putdowns in speech and behaviors."

    NOTE: I AM NOT A MAN-HATING FEMINIST. I AM A FEMINIST WHO IS MARRIED, HAS A SON, A BROTHER A FATHER AND THINK THAT MEN AN WOMEN ARE MADE DIFFERENT BY GOD. I ALSO THINK THAT WE SHARE MORE SIMILARITIES THAN DIFFERENCES. TRUE EQUALITY IS RECOGNIZING AND EMBRACING THE LIKENESS AND DIFFERENCES AND APPRECIATING WHAT EACH GENDER BRINGS TO THE TABLE.
    ok.thanks.

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  • by GingerL on August 7th, 2006

    GingerL

    This just scratches the surface of a deep and twisted issue within our culture.

    "There have been a number of extreme feminists" who have helped to discolor the perception of the movement. At the same time, there has been propaganda against it as well. It is not true, however, that feminist Catherine MacKinnon said "All sex is rape."http://www.snopes.com/quotes/mackinno.htm

    The problem is that the feminist movement itself, just as with political parties, church denominations, etc., actually encompasses a wide variety of people equally varied opinions on the issue. For example: some feel that a women can not measure her worth by marriage and children and desire that we ALL work outside the home, while others see the wife/mother roles as fulfilling their every desire, yet appreciate equal rights such as voting and owning property.

    The feminist movement has really changed the face of our society in many positive ways, that as a woman myself, I am grateful for. But, it has also contributed to the damage of some important aspects as well. The definition of family has changed, and fathers have been left without many rights when it comes to their children. The loss of some traditional gender roles has created strain on marriages, and more children are growing up fatherless, which has been proven to have serious consequences.

    The most damning of the problems the movement has created is the sense SOME feminists have of actual superiority over men. A few have taken the cause of gaining equality and aimed it towards domination. Lately men have been bombarded with a lot of male-bashing. It's everywhere, women complain about their spouses at work, jokes about men are much more common, and movies and commercials have all portrayed men as stupid, backwards, sex-obsessed, and even violent. Of course, some men are these things, so are some women.

    I have described feminists that aim for superiority rather then equality. While using the term "feminist" to refer to them in a derogatory manner is incorrect, since it generalizes an entire group that does not necessarily share those views, I personally do not see the controversy over the Rush Limbaugh coined term Feminazi. The term merely describes a group of women who treat men as having no value whatsoever. Isn't that better then lumping ALL feminists into the same category with them?

    The newest face of the American man can be seen in the latest television commercials. "Manly" body washes, cologne, sports drinks and vehicles are portrayed as many men search for new and accepted outlets for their inherent characteristics. Like it or not, testosterone and estrogen are different chemicals creating different traits that separate the sexes.

    The short answer to all of this is that some feminists have aimed for oppression rather than equality, and most men don't like that any more than most women did.

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  • by yoho05 reminds you to DYOH on July 28th, 2006

    yoho05 reminds you to DYOH

    When you want to insult someone, any word will do : cf. 'bleeding-heart liberal', 'leftist', 'communist', 'terrorist', 'insurgent', etc., etc. All you do is evoke a comparison with some current negative and narrow aspect of the desired term and voila, instant insult.

    Using 'feminist' as an insult is a misogynous misrepresentation of feminism as 'anti-male', when all it really is is a movement trying to foster gender equality. Some of its adherents have been quite vocal in the past and gathered negative media attention. It was somehow accused of destroying the 'American family' (as if that were a homogeneous group) in the same way that gay rights are now being accused of it . Hmm,... if feminism destroyed the family, how has it survived in order to be destroyed again??

    The feminist movement has achieved much of its stated goal in Western society - the barriers are mostly down, legally if not functionally, so feminism no longer has the constructive presence in the media that it once had. This leaves it open to re-interpretation by those who believe themselves negatively affected by it.

    ---

    Thanks LF, I'm glad I was able to help a little .
    Like any insult, it says more about the insulter, than the 'insultee.'

    ---

    PS I just found this great quote about insults:

    "If someone offers you a gift, and you decline to accept it, the other person still owns that gift. The same is true of insults and verbal attacks." Steve Pavlina

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  • by swabby429 on December 20th, 2006

    swabby429

    It's the same mindset that took a very positive word and attitude and turned it around into an epithet. The word and mindset is "liberal". People with the intent to slander people who disagree with them are very weak and insecure. I feel pity for them.

    swabby

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  • by Marky Mark on October 19th, 2009

    Marky Mark

    The same reason why some women use the term "male chauvinist pig" as an insult against men who don't agree with them. It's a handy club.

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  • by woggy on September 25th, 2009

    woggy

    It's possible that some women are realizing that being labeled a "feminist" isn't a good thing.
    Is that because women have the right to vote, the right to own property, or are entitled to equal pay?

    I think some feminists (men or women) would like to have it be that simple, but other than describing the rare knuckledragger who actually wants an uneducated, barefoot and pregnant kitchen knave for his "woomun", it's a little disingenouous.

    I'll tell you what: I tend to be sympathetic to the "masculinist" position, but I know very well that among them, there are virulent woman haters, that pornographic images of a woman's "only useful feature" are welcome fare and a common sight.
    For that reason, it not only offends me to be called a "masculinist", but it also causes a time of self examination -demanding to know what, about myself, has caused someone to fully identify ME with THAT?
    Let it never be said that a single blanket cast over them will cover me as well.

    I like to think (and I sincerely believe I'm right) that there are a significant number of women, younger and older, who realize that the "feminist" movement has cast a wide net, and that under that net are the true man haters- man haters who have used women as much as or more than any man ever could.

    How could they(the man hating zealots at feminism's core)use women?
    How about by initiating a game of mental gymnastics for her, whereby she has to reconcile her personal love for a man with the man-hating feminist line. The only way that's possible, by the way, is to make her "personal man" acceptable, in the eyes of the man haters that claim to speak for her, by making him less of a "man", as nebulous as that term may have become.
    Make what you want of that, but it's certainly not "liberating".

    As a father of four daughters, and as one who considers himself a practical thinker, I don't want to go back to the days where my girls have to wait around for some jerk who happens to have a lucrative profession, simply because he can support her.

    I want them to have equal pay, to be taken seriously, to be able to walk without unreasonable fear (I say "unreasonable" because any sensible person is afraid sometimes), to marry for love.
    Knowing what lurks under the "feminist" big top, I don't want them to be called "feminists".
    My wife and I gave them pretty names. They don't need what has deservedly become a tarnished label on which to superimpose those pretty names.

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  • by ChrisDC on June 23rd, 2009

    ChrisDC

    When speaking English, the "ist" suffix carries a connotation of prejudice quite often.

    A racist is someone who judges people based on race.

    A sexist is someone who judges people based on sex.

    An Islamist (and I've seen the term Christianist popping up with greater frequency) is someone who judges people based on religion.

    The term feminist was original coined to refer to someone who believes that men and women are entitled to equal treatment under the law.

    But that "ist" ending carries a subliminal connotation that implies the person so described believes that women are superior to men. That is not what it's intended to mean -- but using it in certain contexts can leave the impression that the people who are described that way are "sexist."

    Which is probably not accurate. But we're talking about political issues -- and mislabelling your opponents, or ascribing to them views they do not hold is a tried and true political tactic.

    I doubt that's ever going to stop. Which means that all of us need to carry around a very large grain of salt with which to evaluate labels we encounter.

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  • by CuddlyCarla on March 12th, 2009

    CuddlyCarla

    Feminism just means believing in equality between men and women. Men can be feminists as well. If men can disagree and fight with each other, the assumption is that women can too. It has nothing to do with feminism or masculinity but rather being a human being.

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  • by travis bickle on August 7th, 2006

    travis bickle

    Because their ignorant.

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  • by PocketNut is as sure as a peanut on March 1st, 2010

    PocketNut is as sure as a peanut

    For the same reason feminists use the term 'chauvanist' as a derogatory term for men, blithely ignoring the fact that feminism is just chauvanism for women.

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  • by Arisztid on November 25th, 2009

    Arisztid

    It is just an insult based on a stereotype just like all other insults based on stereotypes.

    Insults during a debate are, to me, admitting that you have lost the debate. When you cannot debate your point, try to derail the debate.

    Using insults based on stereotypes is saying "because you are 'x' your opinion is worthless" rather than debating the opinion itself. To me what they are saying is "I give up, I cannot win logically."

    I always smile when someone does that during a debate because I know, immediately, that I have won.

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  • by ILoveMySteaks ... is thinking. on June 22nd, 2009

    ILoveMySteaks ... is thinking.

    Probably because the equality movement has been, at times, hijacked by the more aggressive and radical within the group in an effort to foster their agenda. This, IMO, has led to a bit of hypocrisy such as the treatment of Sara Palin by the feminists ... if Palin were a liberal Democrat, you bet they would have been at her side. So the decision makers in the current leadership are conveniently vocal and wield a mighty stick when it suits their needs.

    There's nothing wrong with equality, but if you want ALL the benefits of a thing, you should accept ALL the responsibilities of a thing. This is not always the case with this cause, and others, IMO.

    Consider the fact that, no matter what TV show you watch these days, either the characters or the plot is to denigrade men. The men are either fat and stupid or always outdone by the women or shown to be horrendous in their judgement and outcomes. Is this equality or respect for men? Family Guy: Lois always superior to Peter. King of Queens, Carrie always superior to Doug. Everybody loves Raymond, Deborah always superior to Ray. The list can go on forever here and never to the contrary.

    I think the movement has succeded beyond its wildest expectations on so many levels that to use "feminist" as in insult is probably just resentment of this factual success :-)

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  • by Moongrim on June 22nd, 2009

    Moongrim

    Because feminists have enough backbone to not put up with their shit.

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  • by have mercy love :( forgive me. on October 19th, 2009

    have mercy love :( forgive me.

    I'm a man, and I'm feminist. the first answer hit the nail on the head really, but it must be noted that the people who are speaking those words are not only clueless, but biased and sexist towards male supremacy, and they will probably remain that way. Stupid people are all over. don't get used to it, don't endorse it, and never think it is "OK" as an "opinion".

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  • by BritishPatriot on June 23rd, 2009

    BritishPatriot

    Have you ever heard a feminist talk about men? The way they downgrade us makes me sick and that's why I look down on them.
    Women are not equal to men, it's a fact, to say otherwise is stupid. However while there not equal in some parts they are in others, so women tend to be good at receptionist jobs and computer typing because there useless at manual labour.
    Men have strong parts and women have strong parts but we are not equal, instead we are different.

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  • by ChuckExAnon on June 22nd, 2009

    ChuckExAnon

    Because SOME men, likely insecure about themselves, would prefer to take anything positive about something/someone who is unlike themselves, and turn it into something negative...like that's gonna draw attention away from their own shortcomings. Fat chance!

    I recall the more modern beginnings of the movement for women's quest for greater equity in our Western societies. Much of it was lead by some, shall I say, "aggressive" people, to the extent of invalidating much of that which were, in my opinion, legitimate endeavors. Terms were used by them that seemed to be course, arbitrary and confrontational with their opposites. Then, the term "feminist" came into being, which I, as a male, saw as more acceptable, for I personally wanted greater equality for our women. Funny how terms used, and what they represent, make a difference.

    Anyway, I wouldn't get too worked up over those who are "losers" in our society. They are in the minority, by and large. Let's just keep moving forward in a positive way.

    Finally, I would urge men and women to concentrate more on the MILLIONS, perhaps BILLIONS, of women throughout the world who are treated like the lowest of the low...e.g., like women who are sent to prison for being, themselves, raped...e.g., female babies who are aborted because they are, in fact, female...e.g., females who are not permitted to drive a car...or even be educated! Such treatment of women is happening in many, many places and is, like, flipped off as "Oh, well! That's their way of life." instead of civilized societies even THINKING about or addressing such conditions.

    Anyway, what I'm trying to say, if some nitwit(s) want to use the term "feminist" as a put-down, that would be the least of my concerns...oh, let me throw in, IMO! :-)

    Did I say enough?!? I had a good night's sleep last night...am on my third cup of morning coffee, black, and am kinda wound up. Have a good day, all you ABer's out there...luv ya. :-)

    +5

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  • by SABOTEUR on November 25th, 2009

    SABOTEUR

    They probably see feminists or the word "feminist" as an "attack of political correctness"; it's their way of striking back.

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  • by denidowi on November 25th, 2009

    denidowi

    You'll find that, generally. those things that they "don't agree with" are connected with original feminist doctrine anywayLOL!
    To be honest, feminism was and largely still is an 'insult' to men anyway.
    Therefore, when a man thinks he smells feminism, he thinks the emotion, "insult", and associates insults with it.

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  • by machinerat on October 19th, 2009

    machinerat

    In many cases that is exactly the reason. Certain women won't listen to what an "evil" man has to say simply because he's a man... yet if another woman said the EXACT same thing they'd agree with it.

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  • by Tom on September 25th, 2009

    Tom

    It is typical human nature to use "name calling" when you are ticked off. It is like a reflex action. Some other words that they could have used are "bitch" or "asshole," none of which are true - it's just a moment of anger where the brain goes away and the mouth takes over. Many times they peobably don't mean what they said, or at least they haven't thought it through.

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  • by Millenium - The Mysterious M. . . GONE! on September 25th, 2009

    Millenium - The Mysterious M. . . GONE!

    They view you as a "threat"!

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  • by Factotum on September 25th, 2009

    Factotum

    In the eighties I was a feminist. My views haven't particularly changed regarding male/female equivalence by I do not doubt that I would not be considered a feminist now.

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  • by blackcat96 on March 1st, 2010

    blackcat96

    because they can't think of anything else to say.

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  • by Mr. Bean is a superhero on June 22nd, 2009

    Mr. Bean is a superhero

    Not knowing other terms at that situation.

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