“Women should not have power over men, but over themselves.” – Mary Shelley
The idea of feminism is straightforward: no one should face injustice because of their gender. Everyone should be treated equally. Unfortunately, a new version of feminism, known as pseudo-feminism, has emerged. A pseudo-feminist claims to support feminism but overlooks its core principle of equality. Instead, they aim to advance women at the expense of other genders, often targeting men to correct past wrongs.
These pseudo-feminists focus on remedying past injustices against women, often by belittling men. They forget that the real goal of feminism is equality. Pseudo-feminism can be seen all around us, masquerading as genuine feminism. While women advocate for fair rights, they sometimes quickly demand a man vacates a seat reserved for women.
Although a minority, some men also suffer from sexual crimes. Many cases go unreported due to fear of ridicule, disbelief, or countercharges. Young boys may be kidnapped for illicit activities, and men can be abducted for forced marriages, known as ‘pakadwa vivah.’ The low frequency of these incidents should not dismiss the reality of male victims.
To understand how feminism has been misunderstood and misused, we must trace its evolution.
Evolution of Feminism to Pseudo-Feminism
“At the end of the day, remember you are a person, a mother, a wife, a daughter.” – Indra Nooyi, Former CEO, PepsiCo
Feminism comprises various social and political movements aimed at establishing equality between men and women. The term dates back to 1895 when women began to fight for equal rights, pay, and property shares.
Historically, societies prioritized male perspectives, leading to women’s unfair treatment. Feminist efforts focused on challenging stereotypes and promoting equal educational and job opportunities. Movements advocated for voting rights, public office participation, and equal pay. Feminists also fought for women’s autonomy over their bodies and reproductive choices, like legal abortion access.
Feminist movements contributed to societal changes, especially in the Western world, where gender-neutral language and women’s reproductive rights are more prevalent. However, recent legal setbacks, like the striking down of abortion rights in some cases, highlight the ongoing need for feminist advocacy.
Over the years, new feminist ideologies emerged, each with different goals. Some branches faced criticism for representing only specific demographics, leading to ethnically diverse and intersectional feminism, including black feminism.
- First Wave (late 19th to early 20th century): Focused on social and legal issues, advocating for voting rights and educational opportunities.
- Second Wave (1960s to 1980s): Expanded to cultural and economic rights, demanding equal pay and reproductive rights.
- Third Wave (1990s to early 2000s): Emphasized diverse feminist voices, using media for grassroots activism.
- Fourth Wave (2010-present): Utilizes digital platforms for activism, focusing on safe environments and economic rights like equal pay. The "#MeToo" movement highlighted sexual violence prevalence.
In contrast, fake feminism involves superficial support for feminist causes, often for social media attention or corporate marketing, without meaningful change or commitment to gender equality.
Understanding Pseudo-Feminists
The core idea of feminism is equality among genders. However, pseudo-feminists believe women deserve more respect than others. Living in a society where women face daily challenges, pseudo-feminists often hinder the equality goal by interpreting feminism as superiority over men. They engage in male-bashing instead of understanding feminism’s true meaning, harming the movement. On social media, many unknowingly promote pseudo-feminism by advocating women’s superiority.
Pseudo-feminists do not seek equality but a world ruled by women. They want preference over equality, often misinterpreting feminism as pulling men down instead of uplifting women. This behavior damages the feminist cause, turning a movement for equality into one of discord.
Differentiating Feminism and Pseudo-Feminism
Egalitarian Feminism: Emphasizes equal rights for all genders, dismantling societal inequalities affecting both men and women.
Pseudo-Feminism: Focuses on specific women’s interests, often ignoring broader inequality issues. It adopts feminist language without genuine commitment to systemic change.
Rise of Pseudo-Feminist Culture in India
Misuse of Protective Legislation: Laws intended to protect women, like those addressing domestic violence, are sometimes misused against men. False allegations can lead to harassment and extortion, undermining true gender equality.
Demands for Excessive Maintenance: Some women manipulate maintenance laws, presenting false records to gain higher alimony. This behavior contradicts feminist principles of equality and misuses protective legislation.
Anomalies in Child Marriage Laws: The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act holds males accountable, even if they are children themselves, while females are not similarly held liable, highlighting gender bias.
False Sexual Assault Allegations: Some women misuse protective laws to harass or extort men, damaging the law’s intent to protect genuine victims.
Criticism of Pseudo-Feminism
Pro-Women Becomes Anti-Men: Studies show significant gender-based violence against men, often overlooked due to stereotypes and lack of legal protection.
Ignoring Male Suffering: Pseudo-feminists often overlook men’s issues like violence and mental health, failing to promote true gender equality.
Diluting Feminism’s Meaning: Pseudo-feminism creates divisive narratives, fostering gender animosity instead of collaboration for equality.
Fear from False Accusations: Misuse of protectionist laws creates an antagonistic environment, discouraging men from advocating for women’s rights due to fear of false accusations.
Change in International Discourse
In the post-feminism era, some argue that feminism now threatens societal balance. Critics claim that feminism sometimes promotes misandry and elevates women’s interests over men’s. High-profile cases, like Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard, highlight the misuse of feminist narratives for personal gain, underscoring the need for balanced gender perspectives.
Need for Feminism in 2024
Despite progress, gender equality remains unfulfilled. Incidents of violence and discrimination against women continue, underscoring the relevance of feminism. The movement must focus on true equality, avoiding pseudo-feminism’s pitfalls, to achieve a society where all individuals, regardless of gender, can thrive.
Conclusion
“Twenty-first-century feminism is about achieving equality for all, leading to greater freedom.” – Barack Obama
Feminism should promote equality, not superiority. The rise of pseudo-feminism harms both male and female rights. The goal should be an equal society without gender-based discrimination or preference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does ‘pinkwashing’ mean?
Pinkwashing refers to marketing strategies that promote products or entities as LGBTQ-friendly or progressive, often to increase profits or improve reputation. It originated in the 1980s with pink ribbon campaigns for breast cancer awareness but later critiqued for profit-driven motives.
