I Don't Care that Meninism is a Joke

Meninism is a silly, parody of men's rights activists, who believe that feminism is just a bunch of misandrist girls whining about how bad their lives are. I mean, that's what it is, right?

I'm here to tell you that no, meninism is not a parody of men's rights activists. Okay, so it started out like that, and that's what the twitter bio says. The purpose behind it is actually great: point out how dumb some people are, and roll with it. But the purpose can get lost in translation.

Meninism is actually a thing. People call themselves meninists, because they actually believe that men are oppressed and that feminists are actually "feminazis", who just want women to be higher in our society than men. Just because men get hurt because of our society does not mean that they need a movement named after them. Sure, men are expected to be strong, and to not want to stay at home. God forbid if a man is sensitive and cries. But that's not what meninism is really about. 

Meninists constantly pull that "Oh, girls criticize Barbie for being skinny and excessively sexualized, but no one has a problem with He-Man!". And that is not true. I actually like Barbies: they might be unrealistically skinny, but that never made me feel bad about myself. In fact, she and all her different jobs made me feel like there was nothing holding me back from being whatever I wanted when I grew up. But the constant sexualization of any female character is a problem. The supposed sexualization of any male character, however, is not a problem.

Men are rarely sexualized. If they are, it is for the male gaze, and therefore, part of a male power fantasy. A good amount of the time, media is made to cater to men, not women. Straight, white, cisgendered men, and that's a problem. Men are constantly strong, and if they're not, they're called gay. Women, on the other hand, are treated like objects, just pairs of boobs that are supposed to look hot. And if they are "action-y"? Then they call other, weaker characters girls, and their explanations as to why they are so strong are "because I have eight brothers". The fact that these constantly show up in media is a problem, since it does tell girls and women that "hey, it's not in your nature to be strong. Sorry."

Yes, the fact that large men are hated on is a problem too. But don't use those pictures that have women of all different sizes to make that point. Yes, most women would want the strong, skinny man. It is a problem, but not because men are oppressed. It's because of society's feelings toward fat people. You do make good points, but creating your own movement is not the way to go about fixing them. Keep in mind the true definition of feminism. It's not a hate movement, it's a way for women to be considered equal to men, and a way to get some of the pressure of being a "tough, strong man" out of the picture for those that just can't reach that ideal.

Men aren't oppressed. Not as a whole. As soon as there is a majority in our world taking away your right to marry, your reproductive rights, your rights to be alive, then I will help you out of your situation. For now, however, you aren't. But you can help what hatred there is toward you by educating yourself about what feminism is, and learning how you can help.

Thank you, Toler Wolfe.