Feminism Vs. Gender Equality: My Problem with Feminism in 1st World Countries

Recently in my experience there has been quite an inflammation of angry women claiming the abuse, mistreatment, and injustice at the hands of men. To sum it up, men are pigs.

Now don't get me wrong. The pure dictionary definition of "feminism" is essentially a good thing. "The advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men." However, with good intentions perhaps, we are definitely blind and heading in the wrong direction.

Now, bearing in mind that I myself am in fact female, prepare yourselves; for what I am about to propose may come across as quite offensive to some, or most. However, I am not here to wipe bottoms nor tickle your happy knickers. I am here to speak my mind, inspire, and make a difference in the world. Now, if you are prepared to perhaps change your thinking, you may read on. however, if you are easily offended and close-minded, you may want to stop reading here.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Ok, for all of you who are interested in a different point of view, hear me out. Like I said, I myself am female. And this post does not pertain to all women, just those who like to run their mouths and make us look bad. Sorry, but I'm not sorry. Most of the people that I tend to surround myself with are female, yet I get along greatly with men. (usually)

So we have already established that the denotative meaning of feminism has good intentions. However, there is something that we have missed. Something so essential and basic that we have perhaps even just glanced over it unknowingly. First, why do we have to define it as "feminism"? it perplexes me that the ACTUAL DEFINITION of feminism has the term "equality to men" in it. Why can't it just be coined "gender equality"? See, the very idea of feminism is ironic.

Let me explain. Men have problems too, and women aren't innocent. The main issues surrounding "feminism" include equal work opportunities, equal pay, etc. These are LEGAL issues which have virtually been solved, at least, in America. But what women tend to exacerbate the most is the little things. They complain about how men view them and therefore treat them. THIS is where I become greatly offended and indignant. Now let's put on out grown-up undergarments for a moment.

You've heard women complain about being objectified, used, "just wanted for their body." They try to blame this on men. However, women are not innocent. A lot of females will USE THEIR BODY KNOWINGLY to get what they want from a man. Also, women will dress provocatively, in a desperate attempt to get the attention of a man. They are NOT forced to do this. A man will, in fact, respect you MORE and you might find TRUE love if you covered up your bust a bit, babe.

Ok, i can see how this still leaves room for argument to be "all men's fault". This post is not to place the full blame on one gender, it is just exposing the hogwash that women have tried to sell the world. Women are no more innocent than men are. Yet men are far too often placed under the spotlight of shame, yet hidden in the shadows of emasculation. The only reason that we don't have such a thing as "masculinism" is that men are not as whiny, attention-seeking, and darn-right catty as women are. (Like I said, speaking to a certain, but unfortunately prominent group of women here).

Feminism isn't a bad thing, when ya do it right. Truly, it's supposed to be GENDER EQUALITY. That means in all areas, ladies. We have flaws just like men do. We are just as guilty/ innocent as men are.  We go to the restroom, just like men do. We sing in the shower, just like (some) men do, if you're the musical type. The only difference between a man and a woman? A penis and a vagina. (of course there are other innate hormonal differences and such, but you know what i mean). Now I didn't go into detail about the problems that men face, but just briefly: men are judged for their money and ability to provide for a woman, their "masculinity", their physical appearance (which a lot of men relate to masculinity), and so on and so forth.

So come on ladies, let's all stop being bitches, and go give a man a hug. Tell him you like his beard, even if you don't. We all need to stop hiding behind our huge signs of gender. Our sex doesn't define us, and that is one more step that everyone can take to being a little bit more of their true self. Gender Equality, ya'll.

Peace. :)

So, I have been undergoing some major changes in my life and I am slowly learning to embrace them. One of my major foundations has recently been shaken: what do I want to do with my life???

Consequently, I have to redefine my standards and definitions of success.
Allow me to elaborate.

I used to think that being able to tell people that you were going to the most prestigious school around and planning to do something academically spectacular with your life was successful. I truly thought that that was "making something out of yourself".

Imagine my shock when, not a year later, I find myself telling people that I am planning to attend the LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE and then perhaps transfer. (I add that part in to alleviate the embarrassment of the first half of the statement).

And to be honest, I am not even sure of that anymore. Who's to say I can't be just as happy living in a trailer on a farm with my mom and riding horses every weekend? Seriously. My grandfather, whom I love and admire, has always reminded me OVER AND OVER to NEVER let anything get in my way of being successful. So i guess another facet of all this change is finding out ALL OVER AGAIN what I want in life. What will make me happy? Isn't that the age old question??? HERE WE GO!

Sincerely Seventeen, Jasmine :)

Life Lesson: Don't try too hard!

So, life has been teaching me some very monumental lessons lately. And it has slapped my upside the face with something. I try too hard.

I over-think things. I am way too into pleasing other people. I am always on the edge. But I am learning that I don't have to be that way. I can relax, and breathe, and just be myself.

Isn't that wonderful??? :)
Now I just have to learn how to do it!
But I won't try too hard!

Love,
Jasmine Jade

New Again

"Save me" I've been saying lately...
My inner light has been stolen.
Now I am nothing.
My chest is empty, but my mind is full.

What have I become?

Yet, the oddest thing-
beauty in pain.
light from darkness.
life after death.
A flower delicately but confidently blooms from the devastation.

a new chance. a new start. all things new.

Like the calm after the storm, like the fragrance after the rain...
I will be new again.
more beautiful than ever before.
I just have to wait.
Until then...
Love, be strong, and always hope.
-Jasmine Jade

Miserable and Magical

Well, this is my second day of being Beautiful Seventeen and I just want to let you know where I stand.

I am going through a metamorphsis right now. A huge metamorphosis. One that leaves you with whole lot of questions that you didn't have before, not many of the answers that you are searching for, and a bunch of insecurity that fills the traces left by your former rock-solid (or so you thought) identity. It is miserable. It is scary. And it has shaken me to the core.

But it's also magical. Since I have decided not to look at this process as death, but as life, it can actually be kind of exciting. Though there is a lot of turmoil going on inside, I take this as my chance to have a new beginning. To have a second chance at getting so many things right that went wrong the first time... I can be who I want to be. And that's pretty cool!

Don't get me wrong- I still have days when it seems hopeless! I feel like this will be the death of me, and it frustrates me... but I guess that it is all part of becoming something beautful. For now, I choose to have faith that someday, things will all work out- and I will be ok.

Happy, Free, Counfused, and Lonely at the same time!


Sincerely Seventeen,
Jasmine :)

A beautiful butterfly

This little piece was written on 3/16-17 of 2012...

A butterfly is a beautiful being. It begins as a caterpillar... so full of hope and promise. Then, something happens...this little caterpillar knows it has to change. It is fearful, but it accepts the fact that it has to go through this. It begins to cover itself, weaving a cacoon around it's small, fragile body. It is protected now. Its is dormant and seemingly unfruitful.  It begins to lose hope, wondering if it will ever break free and wake up. What will happen? What this precious creature can't see is that by going through this struggle, it is preparing itself to live, truly live, and take flight.
Finally...
Just when this little chrysalis begins to lose hope, a sliver of light breaks through. At last. A hope.
Something to hold on to! Something to rejoice in! Something to FOLLOW.
This soon-to-be beauty begins to wrestle with the layering of the old creature; slothing off a little at a time... each move revealing hope and a promise for light and beauty.
Suddenly...
A butterfly emerges. A new creation! Fresh to the world. Such a graceful being. More beautiful than ever before..

"For God so loved the world that he gave His only and unique Son, so that everyone who trusts in Him may have eternal life, instead of being utterly destroyed.

For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but rather so that through Him,
the world might be saved."                                                    

-John 3:16-17