How My Diverse Background Ignited My Feminist Fire and Shaped My Feministic Power as a Man
My science, technology, academic, leadership, and business backgrounds made me an authentic feminist to empower women, especially those vulnerable and disadvantaged.
Dear readers, this story might not sound directly health-related, but it is important for the health of women, which can also indirectly affect men. Medium readers can read it on that platform via my friend link. This is a free post. Thank you for reading, commenting, and sharing it.
A Man’s Perspective on Why Feminism Benefits Everyone.
As someone with the privilege of education, economic stability, and platforms to speak out, I feel responsible for advocating for gender equality for compelling reasons.
Over the past five decades, I have witnessed countless women suffering from situations that are often fabricated by opportunistic men for competitive advantage. My work in different countries has exposed me to various cultures that disproportionately amplified the value of men and diminished the value of women.
While I expected such disparities in South Asian and African countries, I was deeply disappointed and concerned to see similar disadvantages and vulnerabilities faced by women in Australia, Europe, and the Americas due to societal expectations.
My definition of feminism isn’t about women reigning supreme. It is about everyone having a fair shot at life’s throne. It is the radical notion that our gender shouldn’t dictate our destiny — that everyone, regardless of who they love or how they identify, deserves a seat at the table of opportunity.
I imagine a world where outdated stereotypes don’t confine our dreams, our voices are heard and valued, and respect isn’t a privilege but a right. That is the world feminism should fight for—a world where we all rise together, not by tearing others down but by lifting each other up.
Women and men differ biologically, psychologically, and emotionally, as evidenced by my years of scientific and academic studies. However, these differences do not confer superiority to either gender; rather, they highlight the importance of each in complementary roles.
For example, creating a child requires both a man and a woman, highlighting the essential contributions of both genders. Women play a pivotal role, bearing the physical burden of pregnancy for nine months and nurturing the child through infancy to adulthood, while men contribute through their support, care, and active involvement in parenting and family life. Together, they form a crucial partnership in the upbringing and development of the next generation.
After this context, in this short story, I discuss why I became a disguised and committed feminist to empower women as an advantaged, white, relatively wealthy, highly educated, and compassionate man.
With greater wisdom and life experience, I proudly declare my support for authentic feminism. At this stage of life, I am unapologetically out of the closet, advocating for the empowerment of vulnerable and disadvantaged women while fully recognizing and valuing the important role of men.
To provide perspective and stimulate meaningful dialogue among my readers, I approach this topic comprehensively, drawing on my extensive experience and postdoctoral research spanning health, relationships, sociology, psychology, spirituality, economics, and education. These insights, integrated with over 30 years of methodically studying cognitive science, engage both the intellectual and intuitive aspects of understanding.
A Nuanced Examination of Feminism from 7 Angles
1 — Health and Fitness
In my systematic observations, I have seen how women’s health issues are neglected or minimized. For example, women’s pain is frequently dismissed by healthcare providers, leading to delayed diagnoses and treatment.
This neglect was not just a medical issue. It was a societal one, reflecting deep-seated biases that prioritize men’s health and well-being over women’s.
My reviews and observations indicate that women are less likely to receive appropriate treatment for conditions like heart disease, and their pain is often under-treated compared to men.
Women usually face unique challenges in fitness, such as a lack of access to safe, supportive environments and societal pressures that can discourage their participation in physical activities.
Solution Focus: By advocating for more targeted healthcare and fitness for women, we can begin to address these disparities.
2 — Relationships
In personal and professional relationships, I have observed that women often bear the brunt of emotional labor.
They are expected to manage household responsibilities, childcare, and social connections while excelling in their careers. This double burden can lead to significant stress and burnout.
My reviews and observations indicate that women spend more time on unpaid work than men, which affects their ability to advance in their careers.
Solution Focus: Recognizing and addressing this imbalance is crucial for promoting equality in relationships.
3 — Sociology
Cultural norms and societal expectations play a significant role in perpetuating gender inequality. My reviews and observations indicate that women are still expected to conform to traditional roles in many places, limiting their education and career advancement opportunities.
Even in progressive societies, women face systemic barriers that hinder their progress. For instance, women are underrepresented in leadership positions across various industries, especially in science and technology sectors which I worked for 40+ years.
Solution Focus: By challenging these norms and advocating for policies that promote gender equality, we can create a more inclusive society.
4 — Psychology
Psychologically, women are often conditioned to doubt their abilities and underestimate their potential. This phenomenon, known as the “imposter syndrome,” is more prevalent among women and can hinder their career growth.
My reviews and observations have shown that due to psychological conditioning, women are less likely to negotiate for higher salaries or promotions, contributing to the gender pay gap.
Solution Focus: By encouraging women to assert themselves and providing mentorship opportunities, we can help them overcome these psychological barriers.
5 — Spirituality
From a spiritual perspective, feminism aligns with compassion, equality, and justice values. Many religious and spiritual traditions emphasize the value and importance of treating others with respect and dignity.
However, my reviews and observations have shown that women often face spiritual challenges, such as exclusion from religious leadership roles and interpretations of religious texts that justify their subordination.
Solution Focus: Supporting authentic feministic activities allows us to live out these values by advocating for the fair treatment of women and challenging systems of oppression.
6 — Economics
My reviews and observations indicate that, economically, gender inequality has a massive impact and far-reaching consequences globally.
For example, women are often paid less than men for the same work, and they are overrepresented in low-paying jobs. This pay gap not only affects women individually but also has broader economic implications.
According to the World Economic Forum, closing the gender pay gap could add trillions of dollars to global GDP.
Solution Focus: By advocating for equal pay and supporting women in business, leadership, and entrepreneurship, we can contribute to economic growth and prosperity.
7 — Education
Educational opportunities for women have historically been limited by societal norms and expectations. In many regions, girls still face significant barriers to accessing education, such as cultural prejudices, financial constraints, and a lack of safe, supportive learning environments.
My reviews and observations indicate that even in areas where educational opportunities are more accessible, women are often underrepresented in STEM fields and leadership positions within academia. This disparity limits individual potential and causes broader societal inequalities.
Solution Focus: By advocating for equal access to education and supporting initiatives that encourage women to pursue diverse fields of study, particularly in STEM, we can empower the next generation of women leaders and create a more equitable educational landscape.
Insights from a Qualitative 2024 Study for Feminist Heterosexual Men
As I am interested in researching perspectives of feminist men, the academic institute I provide consultancy with sent me a copy of a paper published on 2nd July 2024 and wanted me to share my review with the postdoctoral colleagues.
Unfortunately, the paper is not publicly available, and those who have subscriptions can access it through this Springer link to the article titled “How Feminist Heterosexual Men Navigate Their Sexual Desire While Following Feminist Principles.” I want to give you the key points to inform you of the findings of this valuable research.
The study explores how feminist perspectives influence women’s and men’s views on sex, particularly among men who identify as feminists. However, researchers pointed out that understanding how men should navigate their sexual desires and communicate about them in evolving social contexts remains ambiguous.
Conducted as a qualitative study, researchers interviewed 30 participants via Zoom to explore how feminist heterosexual men manage their desires within long-term relationships.
They asked participants several questions regarding their sexual desires, considering the context of their long-term relationships and evolving gender norms. Thematic analysis identified 11 central themes.
Researchers reported that most participants had no conflict between their feminist principles and their sexual desires, crediting this harmony to their consistent adherence to feminist values. For those who experienced ambivalence, open communication with their partners was vital to steering these complexities.
Overall, the study emphasizes how embracing feminism positively influences men’s engagement with their sexuality and enhances their relationships. I also observed this in my marriage as a man supporting feminism.
Conclusion and Takeaways
Becoming a disguised feminist wasn’t a conscious decision for me initially. It was a gradual realization driven by my experiences and observations to contribute to the health and well-being of women, primarily driven by my affection for my mother, sister, female relatives, colleagues, and friends.
Feminism does not mean women are better than men. Feminism means that everyone, regardless of gender, deserves equal rights, opportunities, and respect. It is about leveling the playing field, ensuring that women have the same chances to succeed, and dismantling systems of inequality that hold anyone back.
By addressing health disparities, relationship imbalances, cultural norms, psychological barriers, spiritual values, and economic inequalities, we can create a more just and equitable world for all of us.
Are you ready to challenge the status quo and champion gender equality? Consider joining the movement for a more equitable world. Your voice matters . Speak up, take action, and be the change.
Let’s build a community where everyone thrives, regardless of gender. Connect with fellow advocates, share your stories, and together, we can create lasting change.
I invite you to empower women and ensure that everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive in this world.
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
To inform my new readers, I wrote numerous articles that might inform and inspire you. Some of my topics include brain, mental health, cognitive function, significant health conditions, longevity, nutrition/food, valuable nutrients, ketogenic lifestyle, self-healing, weight management, writing/reading, including 100+ Insightful Life Lessons from My Circles for the Last 50+ Years.
I publish my health and wellness stories on EUPHORIA and share distilled versions on SUBSTACK. My posts do not include professional or health advice. I only document my reviews, observations, experiences, and perspectives to provide information and create awareness.
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