Our Shared Shelf discussion

Hey everyone I'm Kandarp, a 16 year old boy from India. I have read many threads and talked to many intelligent people. I just want to know what you all do in your day to day life to promote feminism. I want to contribute more towards it so I need your answers.

Also is it fair to blame men for all the discrimination? There are many high ranking female officials that don't do anything for the welfare of the suppressed and tortured ones. Some do but most of them don't.

Eagerly waiting for your replies.

Hi Kandarp!

My name is Lindsey and I am 17 and from America. In my day to day life, I promote feminism by being kind and gracious even when I feel as though the other person doesn't deserve it. I believe this promotes feminism because it teaches others to respect anyone and everyone. I do not believe, however, that men are the cause of all of the problems that women face today. There are women who are, unfortunately, oppressive to other women as well as there are men who are oppressive to women. To combat these issues, I believe that all around kindness and respect for everyone is one of the greatest things that we can use.

Lindsay nice to meet you. And I agree with what you said. It's a very nice thing you are doing. Thanks for replying I will try to do the same in my life. The thing is we need to stand indivually and as a group against discrimination.

Take care and stay happy.

Hello, Kandarp. My name is Alex, I'm 22 and I'm from Mexico.

On my daily life I support feminism by never backing down. I stand by my beliefs and ideals, and maintain an open mind to dialogue and debate.
I believe the first need of our society is in our education. So I try and educate as many people as possible. Even if it's something as little as telling a young boy not to hit in her female classmate to "get her attention" or something big like telling a co-worker that I will not be left behind on the decision making because I'm a female.

It's the small acts that count. And remembering that we can all learn from others.

Greetings from Mexico.

Thanks for the reply clyo... I wish every female had an attitude like you. That's what we need to end discrimination.

Nice to meet you. And take care.

I am Mary, 18 years old and from switzerland.

something that bothers me is that often is assumed that mothers stay at home or dont need an carreer or only woman are victims of domestic abuse. And whenever someone says something like that I just point out that also the man could look after the children, that the man could do the typical womanly thing, that the girl could ask the boy out and that we woman, as we are the same as men, should recognize that a physically weaker woman can abuse a man.
For me feminism means rather equalism.
Same rights, same duties, same chances, same punishments.

Nice to meet you, Mary

It's strange how every one commenting here is right. Mary blue, it's true that men can do household chores, I mean they do cook food in restaurants and clean houses of the rich. So I agree with you.

Hi Kandarp, my name Grace. I live in the US and I am also 16.

One way I try to promote feminism is by shutting down stereotypes. I'm an athlete, and an outdoorsy girl. I practice several types of martial arts, I enjoy working on cars and I like wood-working, mechanics, and building in general. I play soccer and recreational football, I trail run and I love action movies. I'm what most would consider a "tomboy". But I also wear makeup, and like dressing up, I enjoy wearing jewelry and watching romantic movies. I like having both my feminine and masculine side.

Labeling personalities is an abomination. When you label a woman as a "Tomboy" or "Girly girl" or a man as a "macho man" or a "sissy" It's pre-determining what they can do, and what they can like and dislike. When a man shows emotion it's not a sign of weakness, it's a natural human reaction and should be encouraged for both genders. And like Emma Watson said in her UN speech "Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong".

Both men and women can be smart, beautiful, artsy, athletic, strong, sensitive, emotional, etc. There should be no boundaries to what someone can be. It doesn't matter what gender you are, or how old you are, where you come from or religion. No one can tell you who you can and cannot be. That is up to you.

But most importantly how I like to promote feminism is similar to what others here have said; to be kind and respectful to one another, regardless of their gender, race, age, or religion. Humanity should be mandatory but it is too often that kindness surprises people. Feminism is about equality and that will not be achieved if we discriminate one another. Only when we stand together can we achieve greatness.

Gracely said Grace.

If we can practice humanity there won't be any discrimination at all. Female and male are both equally capable of doing things. And since birth crying is a sign of being Alive. I don't really get why people say crying is a thing girls do and boys are not allowed to do it. Both are equally sensitive cause both male and female have a heart, don't they?

Exactly. Well said Kandarp.

There's a lot of things that are natural that have been dramatized, objectified, or been afflicted by sexism.

I hope for the day of true equality and will do the best I can to contribute to the cause.

Grace wrote: "Exactly. Well said Kandarp.

There's a lot of things that are natural that have been dramatized, objectified, or been afflicted by sexism.

I hope for the day of true equality and will do the bes..."

Same just wish that days come quick enough

Ratika good to see a fellow Indian on here and I agree... The classification is useless and meaningless. It is a mistake our ancestors did and we are doing a mistake by carrying it on... Male and female are equal and that's that. Male have downfalls and female have too... They both have their own strength... But saying one can't do this or do that, is completely useless

Ratika wrote: "Kandarp wrote: "Ratika good to see a fellow Indian on here and I agree... The classification is useless and meaningless. It is a mistake our ancestors did and we are doing a mistake by carrying it ..."

Right ratika.... But a rebellion isn't the right way.... We don't need to undertake offensive measures. And yeah Indian Society is very complicated.

Yes ratika we should fight for what we want