This is What a Feminist is Like (maybe?)

Recently, the subject of feminism has become more prevalent. Stereotypes have been developed of  "feminists" because of the women who support women/men equality and fight for it with a passion. At times, it seems like feminists are fighting for the social/political status of women to rise above that of men, not just reach equality. Some people get so passionate that catching you saying that you aren't as  eager to adapt to their idea of what a woman should be is seen as being anti-feminist. Personally, I think that as feminism gets more of an audience, there is an increase of pressure on women to be more like men. The less masculine we are, the more we drift back towards being seen as feminine, which society expects us to want to avoid.

Reading the article on Kaley Cuoco's comment regarding her stance on the topic and seeing the hate she received for her own opinion proves society's expectations for all females to band together and go against their stereotypes. The article, along with it's comments, also proved that expressing your opinion on this topic does nothing but bring ill-will. We aren't free to do anything that's remotely relatable to our cliché- not without receiving criticism, that is. If an action of ours proves our stereotype correct, we're supposed to feel like we did something wrong. I'm all for equal rights for men and woman, but can't we be free to be ourselves? Equal rights should mean that we can determine what we believe in and do for ourselves instead of being told what our sex is restricted to in order to maintain a certain social image. Feminism is good, we just have to be mindful about the way we go about securing our rights.

(The stereotype, but a stereotype is true- just not the full truth. Feminists aren't bad but the way some of them act scares off others. If a feminist is trying to spread their beliefs and get equal rights, why adopt means of putting down other's ideas and verbally abusing them?)

To leave you on a happy note, here's a feminist that is not-so-intimidating:

 

What are your thoughts? In your discussions with friends, Internet-surfings, late-night Tumblr reads, or listening to someone else talking about feminism (it's OK, we all eavesdrop sometime), what opinions have you developed on the topic?