Anti-Feminists: Why Women Stand Against Women

Can a group that opposes such a popular movement have any valid arguments?

BY: PAYAL DASS

TRIGGER WARNING: This article discusses topics about sexual assault. If this topic disturbs you, you may not want to read this article.

*** When I refer to women in this article, this includes any individual that identifies as a woman (as gender is a spectrum and is fluid); not just females. 

In 2021 the goal of obtaining equality among men and women became a prominent objective. The fourth-wave of feminism being integrated into our films, literature, music, and social media has been a great influence. 

The fourth wave of feminism, unlike the previous three waves, is more focused on intersectionality while also advocating for women empowerment, equal opportunities, and for boys and men to overcome gender norms. It is also the first wave of the movement to be defined through the use of technology. 

The use of print and online platforms such as social media has been successful in pointing out power dynamics and forms of assault and harassment while encouraging women to stand against their abusers.

In my opinion, this exposure can be overwhelming. My Instagram feed is filled with women empowerment, recognition, safety, and self-expression posts, (which, arguably, is my own fault because I chose to follow so many feminist accounts). Sometimes the amount of advocacy seems endless and is so overwhelming that I feel compelled to exit the app and take a break from it. Being exposed to endless posts about how I am more likely to be subjected to violence, sexual assault, and inequality is not something I want to be constantly reminded of.

Photo via Colagem Revista Claudia

Unfortunately, it takes events like the disappearance of Sarah Everard for myself, and many others to remember why this advocacy is needed. This tragic incident took place in South London, Britain. Everard, who was 33 years old, was walking home from her friend’s house on the night of March 03, 2021. She had been talking to her boyfriend on the phone just 15 minutes prior to her disappearance, making plans to meet up the next day. It was on March 10 when a body was found in the woods, shoved into a builder’s bag, later being identified as Everard through dental records. Upon investigation, it was revealed that Sarah Everard had been raped, kidnapped, and murdered by now former police officer, Wayne Couzens. If women aren’t safe from police officers, who are they supposed to go to for help?

Most women like myself feel enraged when such events take place. Nothing gives anyone the right to commit such gruesome acts. Anti feminists, however, may think differently.

The Men’s Right Movement (MRM) is a particular branch of the men’s movement that consists of individuals or subgroups focussing on social issues that may have a negative impact or structurally discriminate against men. Some of these social issues include adoption, anti-dowry laws, child custody, divorce, domestic violence, education, female privilege, rape, and suicide. 

What is particularly interesting about the MRM is that one of the subgroups that supports them is the Honey Badgers. A honey badger is a woman who publicly supports the advocacy of men’s rights. These women are estimated to make up ten percent of the men’s right base. They are also the most prominent voices that provide legitimacy to the movement.

There are two absorbing women on this team, Janet Bloomfield and Karen Straughan. It is their journeys to joining the MRM and Honey Badgers that intrigue me the most. 

Think about it, what events have to take place for a woman to support a movement that is seen as opposition to feminism?

Photo via Comically Vintage

Karen Straughan was a part-time waitress who wrote erotic fiction for women on the side. She discovered the MRM and decided, along with other authors, to troll their forum. However, when she reached the forum, she found herself agreeing with the MRM’s forum posters. She especially agreed with their perspective on child custody battles. She reflected on her divorce from her husband and recollected how easy it was for her to gain custody of her children and how difficult it was for her ex-husband to even argue that he would be a reliable option for his children to live with. 

This argument surrounding child custody is an argument I agree with. Women are often favoured in these cases, and it becomes incredibly difficult for a man to convince the law that he can be just as nurturing as a woman when it comes to raising his children. 

There is undoubtedly an implicit bias towards women being the better-suited caregiver, but it might not always be the case. Her reasoning for joining the MRM, made me think she had some reasonable opinions to argue upon. 

That was until I stumbled upon the advocacy speeches she delivers at MRM conferences and earns a living by doing.

On YouTube, a video made by Vice showed the thoughts, morals, and humour of this particular MRM group. The following is an excerpt of a conversation I found extremely problematic:

A honey badger: “We should sing.”

Karen: “They think they want to hear it, but we don’t (we referring to herself and the audience watching)”

Honey badgers: *starts singing a song about rainbows and lollipops*

Karen: Looks disgusted because she doesn’t like the song or the singing.

A honey badger: “Karen looks like she just got raped.”

All honey badgers: *start laughing hysterically*

Did you laugh? Yeah, me neither. Because rape is not up for jokes.

In the span of three seconds, Karen lost all of the credibility that I had built for her. I want to emphasize that it is disgusting and heartbreaking how society ‘accepts’ these statements as ‘jokes’ when they actually cause an immense amount of harm to society and those who suffered from rape. It acts as a slap-in-the-face to the survivors of sexual harassment while also decriminalizing and lowering the severity of the violence.

Photo via Michael Flood

Janet Bloomfield, another member of the Honey Badgers, joined the MRM after being criticized by her friends for wanting to be a homemaker.  She supports abortion rights within the first trimester of pregnancy and advocates for women  to choose whether they want to work or stay at home.  Weirdly enough, she opposes women’s right to vote, because  she thinks a woman can earn the right by having sons and/or husbands, or choose to serve in the military. Janet had  YouTube, Twitter, and a personal blog account that she took down after adults began to stalk and harass her children. 

But let’s make something clear, just because you oppose one’s views it does not make it okay to indulge in violent and aggressive behaviour.

Members of the MRM have often been criticized by governments and scholars. Some governments classify some men’s right groups under ‘male supremacy,’ endorsing androcentrism and the patriarchy. Some academics label them as hateful and violent, while others see legitimate points within some of their arguments. Most scholars agree with the notion that the movement is part of the backlash against feminism.

What happens when critiques against the feminist movement take force?

Christina Marie Hoff Sommers is an American author and philosopher who specializes in ethics. She has published two pieces of writing that showcase her speciality in criticising contemporary feminism titled Who Stole Feminism? in 1994 and The War Against Boys in 2000. She currently hosts a video blog titled The Factual Feminist. Sommer’s described herself as an equity, equality, and liberal feminist, the type to endorse the goals evident in the first wave of feminism that fought for equal rights and the right to vote. Several authors have classified Sommers’ work as anti-feminist stating that “ Sommers is an anti-feminist instead of a feminist.”

Photo via Flickr

However, some of her views on the topic seem quite legitimate (at least to me). Upon discussing discrimination against women in the field of science, she says that science is not a sport and that men and women play on the same teams. She discusses how there are many brilliant women at top ranks in the field of science and technology, and no one doubts their ability to compete on equal terms. She emphasizes that it is based on personal preference that plays a role in career choices and not sexual discrimination.

But, like any other person, there are good and bad traits. Sommers, when teaching, would have taught the skewed perspective of feminism, claiming it advocates values like “Women are from venus, men are from hell.” She also rejected a conceptual innovation from the second wave of feminism that said the concept of gender is relied on by “virtually all” modern feminists.

Like all movements, people will have contrasting views based on their own values and life experiences. You may not have to agree with every perspective, but you can try and understand where it comes from.

Reading about why  some women are against feminism, really made me think about what I think classifies as ‘equality.’ 

It has also made me realize that a lot of people have been grouping men under negative umbrella terms like misogynists,  assuming the worst of some men before they actually get to know them. However, I  recognize this doesn’t come unexplained, it is because of patriarchy and the oblivion to realize it exists and causes a serious impact in our systems.

Now, I know that finding a few valid opinions of anti-feminist groups does not make me any less of a feminist. And feminists do not, by any means, belong to a men-haters club. One can still be a feminist and support their ex-partner’s right to a fair trial when gaining custody of children. 

There is no need to join the opposing side of anti-feminism just because you critique aspects of  the feminist movement. When thinking about feminism, like any movement, you may point out flaws and inconsistencies, and you may act paradoxically too, but that does not need to make you an anti-feminist.

Photo via Holly Phillips