Feminism isn't a dirty word

In honor of National Women’s Equality Day, I thought I’d address an issue that still affects roughly 51 percent of the nation’s population.

Aug. 18, 1920 was the day women were granted the right to vote. After 93 years, gender equality is still not a reality.

Sexism is prevalent in almost every aspect of society, from Miley Cyrus at the VMAs to everyday women.

Modern feminists like me get a bad rep.

We’re labeled as man-haters. People think we don’t shave or wear make-up, that we’re anti-religious sluts.

As a feminist, my main goal is simply equality.

Women and men are equally competent. Equal competency should mean equal pay, benefits and standards.

Women are still paid 77 cents to the dollar that every man makes.  

If I have the same education, work ethic and competency as my male co-workers, why can’t I be paid the same?

This is called the glass ceiling — the horrible societal truth that women are paid less, and it is more difficult for them to achieve high-ranking positions. Currently, women hold only 4.2 percent of CEO positions in Fortune 500 companies. Some people will attribute this to women focusing on family or possessing a lack of motivation. This is false. On average, only 3 percent of women mention family as a reason they had difficulties advancing in the work place. They did cite, though, male chauvinism and slower advancement from male bosses for women.

As for Miley Cyrus, many have labeled her a train wreck and a slut. While her performance starkly contrasts with her “Hannah Montana” days, why is it so wrong that she touched herself and wore skimpy clothes?

Men have been free to express their sexuality without any slut-shaming or media outlash for years.

Women have been told for decades to hide their sexuality and to guard their virginity. Meanwhile, men are praised for their levels of sexual activity and prowess.  

This is clear when it comes to obtaining contraception. Condoms are sold in almost every grocery store and gas station, while birth control for women requires a doctor’s prescription, piles of paperwork and what can amount to hundreds of dollars a year.

Women have undoubtedly come a long way since the days before suffrage, but there are many steps that need to be taken to ensure complete equality.

Next time you start to call a women a slut for her sexuality, take a moment to think why. Then find a different adjective. The little steps make a difference.

Feminists aren’t out to crush the male population, just to be on the same level.

­— andlzimm@indiana.edu
Follow columnist Andrea Zimmerman on Twitter @AndreaLZimm.