t hr

jup

she belongs in the

o re st u p

who run the

world?
ow

li l
gir nist
i
ke a

victim
izat
ion

up

make me a

sandwich
take

it

18 April 2015 | Issue 5

li k e

man

Know
your
place

MAN HAT E R

m
e
f

did you see

kitchen wwhaetasrheinwags
?
f
e
m
inism
man
=
she was

er

bo
y
et
to g

to

id

gi

go

er
it

s
rl

asking

for it.

BOYS

dont
cr y

he h
e as

as i t
ie
r

Equality is a

battleground
Issues with feminism and meninism
lead to heated debate

Having a conversation about gender roles

is like navigating a minefield. Put men and
women in the same room, then ask them
which gender has it easier in life, which gender
is superior, what feminism is. Everything gets
heated.
Issues women face include a wage gap, job
and educational discrimination, and societal
inferiority through sexualization. Advocating
for gender equality is feminism, the social,
political, and economical equality of men and
women.
Adverse to feminism is what has become
known on social media as meninism, which
pleads for the equality of men. In society, men
face challenges dealing with fitting into masculine stereotypes and expectations.
A disparaging mentality that sparks the battle
is how both parties dont acknowledge the
others struggles, labeling issues as insignificant while proving that one gender is above the
other.
[Men] are not being suppressed here, Marie
Boltz 16 said. Have you looked at the political spectrum throughout history at all? And
honestly, when there is equal gender equality,
there shouldnt be judgement towards men for
being un-masculine. Feminism is for both
genders.
Many people dont consider feminism as inclu-

sive to men. There is a stigma associated with

feminism, causing many people to think of it
as a radical ideology. There is a false definition
of what feminism really is and what it stands
for.
Id say feminism is not something made up,
but I feel like its not real, Myles Kilnes 16
said. Feminism is an excuse of women to be
mad at men.
Kilnes doesnt agree with the ideologies of
feminism, but he also doesnt agree with the
principles of meninism. Kilnes sees the issues
genders face as a part of humanity and living, believing that everyone faces challenges,
although there is a difference in how each sex
handles them. Kilnes argues that women are
simply more outspoken about their challenges.

feminism
is for
both
genders
-Marie
Boltz 16

[Meninism
is] kind of
the same
thing as
feminism,
Nordman
said. Im
pretty
much
neutral for
both. If you
want to be a
feminist, be
a feminist.
Want to be
a meninist?
Then be
one.

Boltz also sees invalidity in the views set forth

by meninism, stating that it is a creation of
men feeling threatened by women not putting
up with their harassment.

He regards the philosophies to be similar since,

although he associates feminism to be for
women and meninism to be for men, their goals
are in theory the same..

You dont need to create [meninism], Boltz

said. Its basically fighting women, and its
just [men] thinking that they are being suppressed.

Meninism focuses on hardships men face, and

a majority of men feel as though girls exaggerate their problems and refuse to see what men
go through as well. Societal expectations seem
to limit men from being emotional or associating themselves with anything considered to be
overly feminine.

While Boltz disregards the validity of meninism, and Kilnes views feminism and meninism
to be illegitimate, Jesse Nordman 15 acknowledges the existence of both.

Women are viewed as nurturers and men are

viewed as suppliers, Nordman said. But I

19

guess it could be either way. Men can be nurturers, too.

Nordman extends gender stereotypes to sports and the idea
that men belong on the field and women belong in the kitchen,
disregarding societal boundaries.
There are all these stereotypes, Nordman said. I dont believe
in stereotypes. Be who you want.

tc

all

Similarly, Kilnes doesnt feel the societal pressure to fit into

gender stereotypes or to be someone he isnt. He points out that,
while he considers himself to be a tough football player through
his passion for the sport, hed just as likely be a dancer if he had
the capability.

* ca

His ability to be himself is led through his self confidence,

a trait women notoriously, and stereotypically, lack. While confidence doesnt make him feel superior to women, he notes that
many women view themselves to be above men.
Guys face women saying were inconsiderate [jerks] and we
know nothing and were terrible to society, Kilnes said. I definitely see men and women as equal. I feel like in a school like
this we face the same obstacles and we all get fair treatment. I
dont see sexism happening in the school because I feel like each
sex faces different problems.
Boltz disagrees, acknowledging that, while men definitely have
problems they deal with, women face much harsher challenges
on a daily basis. For example, she feels that she has been viewed
as less intelligent because she wears skirts and dresses girly.
This is an example of slut shaming, where a woman is essentially shamed by society for her choice in wardrobe alongside
her sex life.
Kilnes counters Boltzclaim stating that, a womans outfit
doesnt demote her intelligence or sexuality; it increases educational performance.
Nordman shares a different viewpoint on an individuals choice
in wardrobe.
I feel like you should be able to wear whatever you want,
Nordman said. If you want to be nude, you ahead and be nude,
walk around naked, thats up to you.
Nordman is accepting of diversity, and doesnt limit it to a specific gender; he doesnt support double standards.

20 April 2015 | Issue 5

Women see that men are ridiculed for pursuing passions that

is

sh
good for not
e
hi
ng

r
e
h d?
on erio
p

the

411 on
feminism
in a poll conducted by huffington post,

26%
29%
37%

of people consider
feminism to be a
positive term
considered it a
neutral term

@MeninistTweet

803 K followers

considered it a
negative term

for every 5 boys enrolled in

primary school, only 4 girls
are enrolled

The U.S. is the

only industrialized
country not
to offer paid
maternity leave to
all workers
info from hufffington post,
armchairadvocates.com

21
21

me dirt on it
rub so
d o yo
u
even lift,
b r o?
may not be viewed as masculine to society. Many women dont
view that to be a legitimate challenge, yet many women complain that society does not allow them to be themselves either,
tagged with unequal pay, sexualization and discrimination.
On top of that, men are often falsely stereotyped to be inconsiderate jerks who use women without an ounce of respect.
If youre a super supreme [feminist], like you think youre
better than men, and that men are total scum, then I will argue
with you. Nordman said. I will tell you your spot and my
spot.

FEMINIST
hannah white 18

The debate about gender equality is harrowing and moves in

endless circles. This is because each gender faces issues. Women
may always believe that they face much rougher issues and men
may always disagree, or agree and let the obstacles take their
course. l

Women still get paid 77 cents to

every mans dollar. Feminism is
alive and well

| Sarah Bennett, Nicole Heetland, Sabrina Pacha, Kayla Pray,

Ripley Ricketts, Jazmyn Ruybal, Patty Sokol, Sophia Stimpfl

Carley Coxsey 16
once everyone stops fighting and
categorizing themselves as feminists and meninists. the labels
seperate the genders even more.

22 April 2015 | Issue 5

menINIST
Nick rosser 16
meninism is a term to get rid
of unfair double standards.

Tyler Davis 15
Femininists should push to be
better than, not equal to, which
proves that men are better.

y
pr
et
t

there and l
d
n
oo k
sta
2. norway

31. USA
162. GuineaBissau

here is a map
displaying the
best and worst
countries in
terms of womens
rights
164. Afghanistan

163. Niger
1. Australia

3. New Zealand

23