I used to be sceptical and uneasy when I saw the word “feminism” on the internet. It was portrayed as a movement for man-hating, for tearing men down to build women up. So, I, like so many others, had fallen for one of the most successful and damaging misrepresentations of our time — a misrepresentation often fueled by anti-feminist narratives and clickbait commentary that twists feminism’s core message of equality.  

This sentiment doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s a recurring stereotype that is frequently reinforced by those who find the concept of changing power dynamics intimidating. When feminism challenges centuries of patriarchal structure, a common defence is to distort its message by framing the call for equality as a grab for dominance. People who have internalised patriarchal thinking cannot abandon the traditional gender division of “men work outside and women work inside the home.” They fear that feminism will break the “harmony” they perceive in society and rationalise structural oppression.  

The stigma around the term “feminism” is driven by different factors, like its representation in the media and the reaction of some vocal antagonisers. Persistent stereotypes associate feminists with traits like “man-hating,” causing many women to reject the label for fear of negative association. This negative image is amplified by the media, which may exhibit gender bias or selectively amplify extreme views. Simultaneously, in online discourse, emotional remarks are often overly amplified, fostering misconceptions that feminism is merely “demanding special treatment” or “creating opposition between men and women.” The lack of education on gender equality and feminism in schools also results in people being unable to tell the difference between progressive feminist thought and extreme statements. 

The widespread misunderstanding is the core issue. It equates feminism with female supremacy or the reverse oppression of men, rather than its true goal of seeking gender equality and respect. This feeds into resistance from beneficiaries of the patriarchal structure, who may feel their status is threatened as feminism challenges traditional structures. For these individuals, the movement is perceived as an “identity threat,” leading to backlash against changes in societal norms. 

The impact of this on young people is profound. It creates an unnecessary and false division. I’ve heard friends say, “I believe in equality, but I don’t support feminism.” This statement perfectly captures the problem.

They’ve been led to believe that “feminism” is a dirty word, a radical fringe movement, while equality is its core demand. They don’t realise they are synonyms in this context. This separation makes it difficult for many people who are naturally inclined towards justice to support the movement that is working to achieve it. I was one of those people. I had a budding awareness of gender injustice, but the label “feminist” felt too loaded, too extreme for me.  

My turning point came from a random online quiz that tested how feminist you are. It sounded almost silly, but out of curiosity, I clicked. As I answered, I realised my values were aligning perfectly with the principles the quiz was testing. The cognitive dissonance was staggering. I had been supporting feminist ideals all along, but just without the label. 

That quiz was the catalyst. It pushed me to self-educate, to move beyond the caricature and into the rich, diverse theory of feminism. I learned about the Four Waves, from suffrage to intersectionality. I read Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex. Although this book was somewhat advanced for me, I learned about the predicament of women as the “Other”, and I realised that even though gender equality has improved since de Beauvoir’s time, structural inequality is still hidden in every corner of our lives. I learned that feminism isn’t about female supremacy. It’s about justice. It’s the radical notion that women — all women, of every colour, creed, and class — are people, and deserve the same rights, opportunities, and freedoms as anyone else. True feminism seeks to break down the patriarchal system that harms everyone, the rigid gender boxes that confine us all. 

So why am I a feminist today?  

I am a feminist because I believe in a world where my worth is not limited by gender roles.  

I am a feminist because I want boys to feel free to cry and girls to feel empowered to lead.  

I am a feminist because elevating women does not mean demoting men. It means building a bigger table where everyone has a seat.  

Being a feminist is now something I say proudly rather than a negative stereotype that I push to the side. It is an admission that I am involved in a continuous struggle for a more equitable world. This means I am committed to learning, listening, and courageously speaking out against any injustice. I encourage everyone who supports equality but has reservations about the word to not be distracted by the noise. You might just find that you’ve been a feminist all along, too.