Survey Results from "Are You A Feminist?"

On Monday I published survey questions to my readers to get a better idea about what people care about on the site and how they feel about feminism. Approximately 100 people responded on Survey Monkey after which the survey was closed. Here are the unedited responses, which I will be analyzing in a later post:

I self-identify as a feminist.

Yes - 73% 

No -11% 

Maybe - 11% 

Not sure - 5% 

When it comes to the "waves" of the feminist movement, I feel most closely associated with -

First wave - 3% 

Second wave - 8% 

Third wave -16% 

Fourth wave - 6% 

Post-feminism- 1% 

Womanism - 5% 

Humanism -17% 

Not sure -45% 

I equate the women's rights movement with the feminist movement.

Yes - 65% 

No - 16% 

Maybe - 14% 

Not sure -5% 

My top concern in the feminist movement is:

Equal pay - 34% 

Racial equality - 14% 

LGBT equality -13% 

Reproductive health - 29% 

Confronting body image stereotypes -18% 

Domestic violence - 24% 

Sex worker industry - 7% 

Family/parenting rights -13% 

Birth rights -7% 

Global feminism -18% 

Women in elected office -14% 

Gender parity in technology, science, environmental careers -16% 

Women in the media -12% 

Other -20% 

This is what feminism means to me -

"I want to believe that we can build a future that doesn't make me hope that I never have to raise a daughter."

"I believe that women of all shapes and/or sizes should be able to do anything they want. In my opinion, if a man can do it, so can a woman."

"Women should be able to have abortions if they want them, women should receive equal pay for equal work, and gays should be able to marry. I think gay bias is actually just a kind of sexism. And if viagra is covered on insurance, birth control should be."

"Rawr!"

"Feminism is the support and respect for the femenine qualities expressed by the female of our species."

"Feminism means equal access for all, regardless of gender orientation. Equal pay, equal access to credit, jobs, housing, protection from domestic violence, legal protection, family planning, women's healthcare to include abortion and birth control."

"As a man, I realize that patriarchy hurts men, and feminism is a powerful tool to break down the barriers that hold men and women down."

"Not being so vulnerable to male dominance by getting a job that pays fairly. Being able to get equal pay for equal work and that males participate in raising children equally. Woman get equal respect in a relationship and recognition."

"Working to achieve a world where women aren't held back, harassed, paid less or subjected to violence due to their gender."

"Feminism means being treated equally."

"Feminism is a movement that organizes women into cadres of angry women so that teh collective power of their bitching can be brought to bear on whatever the hell is in the way of getting what they want."

"A woman's position and role in America should be equal to that of a man. Women should be hired without regard to sex. paid the same as their male counterparts and promoted because of the skills they bring to the job. Women must be able to have control over their own bodies, even when a spouse disagrees with her continuing pregnancy decision. Third trimester abortions, while rare should be available when needed. The Bush law allowing pharmacists and physicians the option to not treat women who seek birth control services should be eliminated. The US should vociferously oppose countries who engage in and allow sex trade. School should teach gender equality beginning in elementary school."

"Equal opportunities and justice."

"Protecting the rights of women as an outcropping of interest in the value of ALL human beings regradless of gender."

"It means that women are as good or better than men."

"Angry, ugly, overweight women who want to blame men for their lack of ability to be happy and feel good about themselves."

"Equal rights for all women."

"Feminism means strength, power, steps taken toward equality, and a concern for (and work for) other groups/issues."

"Women have the same equitable rights as men."

"To be strong, loving and powerful with explanation or excuse; to intentionally confront traditional 'female' stereotypes that demean and interfere with equality."

"The simple fact of equal rights and opportunities for all."

"I believe that feminism is an integral part of the overall human rights movement. Feminism, for me, points out the oppressive power structures that exist in many aspects of our everyday lives and works tirelessly to eradicate them. The "Personal is Political" slogan means a lot to me."

"Feminism means taking my power, and using it to change the world."

"Equal access to rights, food, education, jobs, pay, privilege etc. It also means being proud to be a woman, or a man who honors the differences, challenges, benefits of womanhood."

"The refusal to participate in my own oppression, based on my biological sex and/or gender identity."

"1) Achieving a world in which individuals are judged by the content of their character, not their gender identity; 2) Achieving a world in which issues that don't affect men are considered as significant as those that do."

"Feminism means that women are people. They are people who deserve to be treated fairly and equally to men. No avenues should be restricted based on sex."

"It means I can be smart if I want to. It means if I am stupid other women will work to educated me in a non-judgemental and loving way. It means that no dream is out of my grasp, my daughters grasp and their daughters grasp. It means that my sons see women as people... human...a whole person...not titts and ass or eye candy."

"Feminism means that society honors, values and treats women equally on all levels."

"Equal pay for equal work."

"Feminism is the simple proposition that women are people too entitled to the same rights and privileges as men, free of constraint based on sex, gender presentation, or sexual orientation."

"Feminism is about freedom - freedom from the strictures and structures of gender, race, and sexuality, freedom to be just who we are and be valued as we are."

"To be seen as a person, not as a woman."

"To me feminism is coming to recognize how women as a sex have come to be 'oppressed' and then learning to become empowered through that knowledge. Empowerment = inner strength and happiness, standing up for what you believe in, positive body image, etc."

"CHOICE. Specifically to choose who to love, whether or not to parent and how, and how to make a living."

"Equality and justice for all."

"I strongly identify with the Suffragettes of the 1890s and continue with the issues of today."

"Feminism means being the essence of woman separate from men. It doesn't mean you fight to be equal with men, because then that is a woman just trying to be like a man, which is the completely opposite of what feminists should want. A Woman must realize who she really is and how she can exist as herself without the influence of men and the patriarchal society."

"I equate feminism with human rights; by fighting for women's rights to privacy and equality, I see feminism as advocating for a recognition of what it is to be human. That if rights are, in fact, universal, they apply equally to us all--across all boundaries."

"Understanding that one can analyze oppression from through the lens of gender."

"My feminism encompasses social, cultural, philosophical and personal elements. For me, it isn't about equality, it's about individuality. It promotes strength, pride and independence. Feminism is a path to freedom."

"Feminism is the desire to work towards the growth of the notion that a woman's ability and intelligence may be judged by the same merits as a man's."

"Being equal to men in every way."

"Feminism is trying to reach a point of allowing each person to reach full citizenship, regardless of what gender that person identifies as."

"Eliminating systemic application of paradigms which prohibit any and all women, because of their gender, from being able to achieve their goals."

"Wanting the world to be more fair for my daughters, sons, nieces, nephews, and all who will come after me."

"The movement to increase women's rights, safety, and status in society - in the US and around the world."

"Equality, representation and consciousness of the movement."

"The freedom to choose everything."

"All humans should be treated equally but we must acknowledge that women are overwhelmingly treated as second class citizens around the world and this needs to be changed."

"That I am not defined by gender to determine how feminine I should be, what career I should choose, or what I should do as a mother."

"Standing up for women everywhere - making sure women have the same access to rights and opportunities and that their lives and health aren't at risk for being women. Pride in being female, and spreading that pride! Finally, making sure women's unique contributions are respected."

"Women having the same political, social, economic equality to men."

"My past, present, and future are not defined solely by my gender, yet neither is my gender pushed aside for the sake of ease and comfort of the minds of others."

"I don't know why some people shy away from this word -- it means equality. Out of the kitchen, into life."

"All genders are equal, period."

"Treating all humans, whether they have a vagina or not, equally by means of equity, integrity, and love."

"Equality, the choice to be feminine/girly if you want to, a devotion to the things you care about be it family or profession."

"Unnecessary. Be proud of being a woman w/o being a bitch about it."