Unfortunately, gender issues not only just exist for women, but also for men. Emma Watson’s speech at the United Nations conference was the most blatant example of the idea that “Men… gender equality is your issue too.” The feminist movement is the very idea that feminism is to advocate for social and political quality of equal rights for women. It is not to bash men or separate women from the entire society. Nor it is to make women more powerful and independent from men. It is a support system that has done wonders for women over generations and still should continue to. Labels tend to sway people one way or another before they even know much about the topic. Men could stand for feminist morals and rights if they felt welcome to and women could stand for men as well. “We don’t often talk about men being imprisoned by gender stereotypes…they are… [so] when they are free, things will change for women as a natural consequence (Emma Watson). If men do not feel like they have to fit their gender “roles,” then women will not feel like they have to fit a role either. If both would choose to do what they are passionate about without a worry if it is feminine or masculine, then inequality would not be as big as an issue. To support feminism, men must align themselves with women, a lower-status group, and risk losing the privileges that come along with being an advantaged group member in today’s patriarchal society, for no apparent benefits (Rudman et al 4). If feminism was brought to men as a movement that would change not only women’s lives, but men’s lives too, then men might pay more attention to the ethical and moral reasons for advocating for feminist gender rights. As of right now, it is hard to see the gender gap between men and women, and most people will not take the time to understand it. If there is no apparent benefit for supporting the movements then people will take no interest. As of now, the word “gender” is a sensitive topic. Men are afraid to come across too feminine, so they prefer to not get involved with the felinity and not give off the wrong perception to others.  Getting men to join the feminist movement without them feeling like they are sacrificing masculinity is tough. "I think it's often used to say that there is a certain secondary "place" for women and women who step out of their "place" are uppity feminist" (Genevieve M. Brackins). For many years women have been put second in society. It is a natural instinct to think that God is only man, or that a president should be male. Most biblical stories refer to man as all of humankind instead of saying men and women. There is nothing wrong with that except it does lead to the the perception that even the word "man" is the superior and the go to word and label to use. Both men and women can start by changing their behavior and actions toward one another by looking at one another as a human and not a male or female. I still believe that chivarly is important, but the first step to fixing these labels is acheiving a new mind set. After that mind set has become more of natural way of thinking then active change comes along with it. Hopefully acceptance will follow after, but it might take a while.

Rudman, L. A., Mescher, K.,& Moss-Racusin, C. A. (2012). Reactions to gender egalitarian men: Perceived feminization due to stigma-by-association Group Processes &

Intergroup Relations 16: 572-599

​

.

​