Why feminism, not equality?

There is a difference between feminism, chauvinism, male chauvinism and equality, and for those who just came in I’d like to spell it out for you. These aren’t really dictionary definitions, but they work.

• Feminism– A concept, a way of life, or a social structure in which women are given rights, opportunities, duties, respect and importance equal to that given to men.
• Chauvinism– A concept in which a certain group or faction considers themselves to be superior in any way to other group(s).
• Male Chauvinism– A concept, or the (rather prevalent) way of life or social structure in which men consider themselves to be superior in most ways to other genders.
• Equality– The concept in which men and women are equal in all walks of life and should receive equal treatment.

A lot of people I know say that feminism is a repellent word, which gives the impression of a bull-headed, stubborn, rebellious clan of people, all mostly negative emotions, and thus ‘EQUALITY’ between men and women is a much preferred statement. I happen to disagree with this wholeheartedly, and with sound reason.

Suppose you have two numbers, say 6 and 4. Now, if you have to make them equal, what do you do?

There are two ways:

• 6 – 2 = 4

         OR

• 4 + 2 = 6

   This is the exact problem in referring to feminism as equality. What kind of equality is it, the equality of women with men, or the equality of men with women? To make these two major genders equal, what steps do we take – do we abuse, hurt, suppress and discriminate against men until they are forced to fall to our level of social strata?

   That is nothing but, 6 – 2 = 4.

   The right way to attain equality would be to raise women to the perky level that men enjoy, unquestioned, in this world. To let them free from the social, cultural and religious shackles that bind them, and from those binds that have no basis whatsoever, but were created on the whims of men to control the women and have stuck, unfortunately, through the years.

That would be, 4 + 2 = 6. 

    Thus summed up are the reasons why equality is not feminism, and the two terms cannot be used interchangeably, IMHO. I know that people consider today’s times to be a reflection of changing mindsets, and feel that the position of women today is lot better than say, 50 years ago, but I cannot bring myself to agree with this sentiment. The right notions of modernity, of feminism, and of respect need to be established, by women, for themselves, or else we lie in serious danger of being misguided and brainwashed by the sex which has geared up for the battle to keep its throne.