General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: RadFeminists are making it difficult for the Democratic party to fight the GOP's attack on women [View all]boston bean
(36,221 posts)that the discussion on what constitutes being a woman was a really huge issue within the movement, especially today. It was new and just starting again after 50 years of pretty much stagnation. I really think it's an issue which has come to define the members of the movement versus a learning curve. It has happened in all movements. And it is used to brand women who still hold true to the belief that the patriarchy exists and gender as a social construct, by those who wish to undermine feminism and feminists.
What you write about men is true, however they do hold a privilege by just being born male. I do believe the patriarchy affects both women and men. However, the patriarchy is a form of oppression more so of women. I don't think that a focus on mens rights within the feminist movement is helpful. Feminists believe in equal rights for all, but the feminist movement is about equal rights for women. If all was equal, there would be no need to be a feminist or a need for the feminist movement. Although I do believe that men would benefit if feminist policy was enacted legislatively and accepted socially and culturally.