I think in recent years feminism has come leaps and bounds. It's become a much more accepted thing and I think more people feel comfortable about telling people they view themselves as a feminist. However, saying that I think that when you tell people you're a feminist or talk to people of feminism their minds automatically go to one of the following.

1. All feminists are women:
   I think when people hear the word feminism, they hear 'fem' and automatically assume that it's just for females and female rights. The actual definition of feminism is about having equality of the sexes, it isn't all about women although that can be a big part of it. As a feminist I personally feel that EVERYONE deserves to feel safe, happy and comfortable with who they are and the life they lead.
2. All feminists hate men and think women are better than men:
   This is a huge misconception that I know so many people who don't understand feminism have. I don't hate men, at all and I count myself as straight so I certainly don't hate men. What I hate is ignorance, whether this is from men or women. I certainly don't believe that women are better than men, there is no way to judge whether someone else is better than the next. Radical feminists believe that male supremacy should be completely eliminated in all contexts of life, but a large majority don't count themselves as radical feminists anymore and believe that all men and women should be equal (equal being the key word).
3. Sexism isn't a problem anymore:
   Ofcourse sexism is nowhere near as bad as it used to be; we as women now have the vote, we can work and do just as much as any man can. However, saying this we still have so many areas in the world where we are complete behind on the times. Abortion is still considered a horrendous crime, child marriages are still the norm in so many countries, FGM is still happening and people still feel ashamed about coming forward about rape and abuse. There are still so many awful places in the world where feminism is needed. Feminism is needed for EVERYONE.
   
   

slag, slut, whore, slapper, skank, hooker, tramp, tart, hoe and promiscuous.
These are only a few of the many words thrown at women (and of course men, but in this case I'm writing about women) by men, but even sadder is the fact that other women are actually referring to one another in this way. Now I will admit, as everyone has in the past I will have been out and seen a women do something that to me is pretty foul but as I have grown in age and also as a person I have learnt this is no way to act towards anyone! Never judge a book by it's cover and all that malarkey.

Now in the media and in society in general, women are portrayed as needing to be pretty little feminine things that should be "seen and not heard" now LUCKILY, this is changing and it's absolutely fab that everyone is allowed to be the person that they want to be. However, I still think that deep down a large number of people still think women should be women and men should be men. Now don't get me wrong; I wear make up and do my hair and dress in skirts and pretty things, but I also like to wear shirts and jeans and go out looking like poo without being judged and talking openly about sex like men do without being considered disgusting.

I think sex especially is a huge taboo subject still and I know a lot of people feel uncomfortable talking about it, and some of you will probably feel uncomfortable reading this. I understand to a lot of people it is very private and obviously I keep my love life and sex life to myself, but I have been brought up by my parents to be open and honest and this is something I will encourage my children to do if I have them. I know a lot of people have always been confused by how openly I will speak about this area, with friends and family. Of course I have lines and boundaries of what I say and what I don't, but if men can joke about sex with their friends then why can't women? 

What disgusts me the most is that, women should stick up for one another. If a girl likes to have sex and considers her own safety and the safety of others, then in all honesty what is she actually doing wrong? N-O-T-H-I-N-G. If a girl wants to save herself for marriage and is still a virgin at 23 WHO CARES, these are not the qualities we should judge people on. You should never judge someone because of how they dress or how they act as it is their body and their choice and as human beings we should respect this. 

I can handle when a man insults me, yeah it sucks but who cares really? However, when another female decides to tell me or others around me that I am a slag or whore and that I have 'no morals' that is when I start to get peeved. What gives you the right, to go around and judge me because I am not the same as you? Being confident around men and being confident within myself as a person and my sexuality does now mean that I am a slag or a lesbian or anything else. That is another thing that annoys me, if you tell a female she is attractive the automatic thing is "oh she is obviously a lesbian" NO YOU ARE JUST ATTRACTIVE NEXT TIME I WON'T BOTHER TRYING TO LIFT YOUR SPIRITS YOU UNGRATEFUL GREMLIN. 

As a teenager; I hated myself. I seriously hated myself, I'd look at myself and just sob because I was so disgusting to myself. I looked like shit, and thus constantly belittled myself and told myself I was ugly. Now I am an adult and have learnt more about myself, I have learnt that actually I am not ugly. I am beautiful on the inside, I don't judge people for who they are, if you need my help and I don't even know you I will be up until 4 in the morning trying to help you, I will make myself look like the biggest moron EVER just to see you crack a smile. So yes; I am no Mila Kunis, but I am beautiful in that I can now look at myself and think "yeah I'm alright" and because I am now comfortable with myself people think this makes me some sort of dirty prostitute? No, it doesn't work like that. 

If you are a man who voices your opinions on how women should dress and act, SHUT UP. You are not a women, nor will you ever experience being a women. I don't care if you don't like my leggins and if you think that all girl's should be 'natural' then ask why a girl stops making an effort if she doesn't do anything with her appearance. If you are a female who voices your opinions on women, KEEP THEM TO YOURSELVES. You wouldn't like if a female came up to you and said "you're speaking confidently to a group of men, you're such a tramp" nonononoNO it doesn't work like that. Also if you EVER use anything a women wears, says or does to justify rape or sexual/domestic abuse; You need to reevaluate your life and stop acting like you are perfect, because trust me sweetheart. You aren't.
I'm sorry that this has been such a rant post, but it is one subject I feel strongly about. I am sick and tired of women feeling that no matter what they do is wrong; if you're shy and hide your body then you're frigid and don't try hard enough and 'no man will want you' and if you actually think 'I am a beautiful queen bee' and feel good about yourself then you are a disgrace. So ladies (and gents) stop making each other feel like shit please.
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