13 Myths About Feminism and Feminist Beliefs

There are so many myths and misunderstandings around feminism. Before we dive in to dispelling them, let’s look at how the dictionary defines feminism:

“The advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes.”

… and goes on to illustrate feminism in action through a brief history of the feminist waves:

“The issue of rights for women first became prominent during the French and American revolutions in the late 18th century. In Britain, it was not until the emergence of the suffragette movement in the late 19th century that there was significant political change. A ‘second wave’ of feminism arose in the 1960s, with an emphasis on unity and sisterhood. A ‘third wave’ was identified in the late 1980s and 1990s, as a reaction against the perceived lack of focus on class and race issues in earlier movement.”

We’re going to dive deep and explore the scope of what it means to practice feminism today.

Read on to learn 13 of the most common myths about feminism, the mighty and persistent movement that can be easily misrepresented depending on who you talk to.

13 Myths About Feminism

Myth #1: Feminists Hate Men

Perhaps the most common of all elementary-level feminist critiques is that feminists don’t like men. That’s obviously not true (at least regarding all men).

Many feminists actually love men, so much that we’re even married to them, raising them, or working alongside them in harmony and respect.

As discussed below, diversity and feminism go hand in hand.

It would be unreasonable and impractical to suggest all of us take such a harsh position against all men.

Most feminists do, however, reserve our affinities for men who care about our autonomy, respect us, and treat us as equals.

Myth #2: Feminism Is A Fringe Movement

Feminism got a bad rap when the women’s rights movement began.

French male philosopher Charles Fourier coined the movement “feminism”. One criticism against his labeling of equal rights as “feminism” is that the connotation of the name alone sounded frivolous and unappealing to men in the 1800’s.

Interesting, right?

This further discouraged their already low interest in helping women achieve equal rights.

What began as a fringe movement, though, has continued to grow.

Those who have not yet been properly introduced to feminist ideals might think we’re a fringe movement, but nearly 40% of young women today identify as feminists.

Myth #3: Feminism Is Only For White Women

Feminism is for all women. That is, true, pure feminism is for all women, and it must be in order to be successful.

The third wave of feminism came in hot to unify sisters and allies of all races, gender identities, abilities, creeds, sexualities, and more. It just isn’t productive to compete or compare with one another, and this wave recognized that.

This is not to say that toxic white feminism doesn’t exist; it does.

As with any movement, subgroups inevitably form over time, whether by intentional design or ignorance.

But true feminism, at its heart, calls for all women to be equal with all men.

While feminism isn’t for white women alone, white feminists do have a responsibility to use their privilege to be supportive and active allies for BIPOC women, people of color, non-binary women, and other marginalized groups. 

Myth #4: Feminists Want Power Over Men

Feminists do not want power over men. We want equality across the board.

The reality is, men still hold tremendous power over women!

Women were socialized into behaviors supported by the patriarchy, like people-pleasing, to cater to the needs of men. There is a variety of evidence for this in both the macro (government, workforce) level and micro (households, social groups) level. 

The constructs of gender and patriarchy have not shifted enough to even out the playing field.

Feminism is based on the founding principle that men and women have equal value in this world. That everyone should have the right to liberty and a fair opportunity to pursue life. 

Myth #5: Feminism Is Frivolous

It’s not. Feminism is, simply put, absolutely necessary.

Without it, women would not have the rights we have today (like voting, holding office, making personal choices about our bodies, and more).

It’s foolish to believe otherwise. It would be irresponsible to abandon the movement just because some of us have secured “enough”.

Without feminism, we wouldn’t have metaphorical armies continuing to fight for women’s rights to access reproductive and health care. 

Or advocating for fair employment opportunities and promotions.

Or standing up against police brutality and violence against marginalized communities.

Feminism has worked for centuries to move the needle just so; yet we have plenty of work ahead of us.

Feminism Myth #6: We’ve Reached Equality

“But women are already equal. There are female CEOs. Women aren’t having kids until they’re 40. They can do whatever they want!”

Ah, wouldn’t it seem that the call for equal rights is up? 

Women are actually choosing when they want to have kids! It’s a true miracle indeed.

(Update: as of 2024 in the US, this is not the case in every state anymore. We have work to do!)

The fight doesn’t stop until all women and minorities have the same rights as those with the most privilege and power. 

In our careers, in our homes, and in our communities.

Myth #7: Feminists Are All The Same

Some of the biggest debates can occur between feminists with different beliefs, which is to say, we are not all the same.

The call to feminism, for many, comes from the conviction that women are equal to men and therefore free to make decisions in their lives with the utmost impunity.

But if we get real, we’re all different.

We have our own values and preferences. Feminism is modest, nasty, conservative, liberal, religious, atheist, vegan, carnivore, gay, straight, bisexual, rainbow, monotone, and everything in between.

There’s no right way to be feminist, but it’s a good rule of thumb to respect the choices of other well-meaning feminists as much as our own – and not leave anyone behind. 

Feminism Myth #8: Feminists Only Look Out For Themselves

Feminism was founded on the very notion that the oppressed (historically women and people of color) cannot be so without an oppressor.

History has shown time and again that white men in positions of power excel at oppressing!

The true feminist movement aims to uplift and free all people who suffer due to systemic and historical constructs designed to keep the oppressors in power.

Third-wave feminism committed to inclusivity, sharing visibility with other marginalized groups that had long been cast aside. Equality only works if we’re all equal.

Myth #9: All Feminists Are Angry And Radical 

Some feminists are radical.

Some are loud.

Others are angry – and why not?

Some demand, shout, and protest.

Others lead marches, committing to the cause early to encourage the rest of us to show up. Feminists are the women we see every day.

We pursue careers, friendships, families, adventure, ourselves… or some combination of it. All the while either addressing or ignoring every micro-aggression, trespass, leer, or threat that affronts us.

Myth #10: Feminism Is Divisive 

Because feminism was a fringe movement at its offset, a divisive stereotype (often encompassing many of the myths listed here) has followed feminists for generations.

Feminism in its true form is one of the most unifying and inclusive communities in the world.

That’s not to say that the reaction to feminism isn’t divisive though.

People who are uneducated or unwilling to put to rest these myths may feel threatened by feminism.

That’s because we are challenging a status quo that has served patriarchal societies for centuries – and a certain group of people just don’t like the concept of change. 

Myth #11: Feminists Want Free Handouts

Contrary to the belief of some, feminists are hardly looking for free handouts or unwarranted opportunities.

One study surveyed women in the workplace and found that women have to work harder than men to get ahead.

Often, these women are electing to work harder than men for the same outcome in pursuit of professional and personal aspirations.

The same opportunities!

We’re all for putting blood, sweat, and tears into our work.

But doesn’t it seem unfair that we have to?

Myth #12: Only Women Can Be Feminists

Did you know?

Men can be feminists, too.

However, men won’t ever truly experience life as women do, and thus miss many of the subtle and overt oppressions we are simply conditioned to tolerate.

But that’s not to say they don’t make wonderfully supportive and critical allies in our fight.

Male feminists share the belief that men and women are created equal.

Moreover, they put it into active practice by validating and supporting the women around them. 

Myth #13: Feminists Are Too Easily Offended

Yes, just like men are always offensive and unemotional.

Not very fair assumptions, either way, are they?

If you’re getting all of your news about feminist women from the mainstream media, or worse, a dark and dingy online subculture, then chances are you’re somewhat misinformed.

If you have a history of being around offended women, it’s probably time to take inventory of your role in those situations.

On the flip side – patriarchy is wildly offensive!

Most of us are low-key desperately hoping that we’ll see the day when true equality exists for women worldwide.

It’s not exactly a light load to carry.

While there will always be people who set out to misrepresent what feminism is, know that the myths they spread just aren’t true. Feminism, at its core, is about achieving equal, fair rights and quality of life for women. Simple, relevant, and absolutely necessary.