Feminism benefits not only women but also men. A union in which a man and a woman respect each other and have equal rights will be stronger and more durable. We’ve compiled a list of reasons why feminism strengthens relationships.
1. Your relationship is based on equality. You help each other achieve goals and maximize potential. Together you are stronger than alone.
2. You are not bound by outdated gender stereotypes. A man can stay at home with children while a woman earns a living. If this is a mutual desire — act.
3. The partner does not discuss you with friends and is not justified by the fact that «all men do this.» Your relationship is above that.
4. When you need to clean an apartment or wash things, you do not divide duties by gender, but distribute tasks depending on personal preferences and workload at work.
A nice bonus of sharing duties on an equal footing is an improved sex life. Researchers from the University of Alberta have found that couples in which men take on some of the household chores have more sex and are more satisfied compared to unions in which all the responsibilities fall on the woman.
5. Another reason for high sexual satisfaction in equal couples is that men recognize that a woman’s pleasure is no less important than their own.
6. A man does not judge you for your sexual past. The number of former partners does not matter.
7. The partner understands the importance of family planning. You don’t need to explain or prove it.
8. He is not trying to teach you about life. Interrupting, raising his voice, looking down are not his methods.
9. You both know that a woman’s place is where she decides. If you both want to work, it means that the family will have more income.
קסנומקס. Your partner is convinced that in a world where women are endowed with power, it will be better for everyone. A well-known feminist Prince Henry once said: “When women have power, they continuously improve the lives of everyone around them – families, communities, countries.”
קסנומקס. The partner likes your body, but he admits: only you decide what to do with it. A man does not put pressure on you in the field of sex and procreation.
קסנומקס. You can easily be friends with members of the opposite sex. The partner recognizes your right to communicate with other men and women.
קסנומקס. A woman can propose marriage herself.
קסנומקס. Your wedding can be traditional or unusual — you decide.
קסנומקס. If your man’s friend starts making nasty feminist jokes, your partner will put him in his place.
קסנומקס. A man takes your complaints and worries seriously. He doesn’t downplay them because you’re a woman. From him you will not hear the phrase: «It looks like someone has PMS.»
קסנומקס. You don’t see the relationship as a project to work on, you don’t try to fix each other. Men don’t have to be knights in shining armor, and women don’t have to try to cure men’s problems with love. Everyone takes responsibility for their own affairs. You are in a relationship as two independent people.
קסנומקס. When you get married, you decide whether to take your partner’s last name, keep yours, or choose a double one.
קסנומקס. The partner does not interfere with your work, but on the contrary, is proud of your career achievements. He supports you on the path to the fulfillment of desires, no matter whether it is a career, hobbies, family.
קסנומקס. Phrases like «be a man» or «don’t be a rag» are out of your relationship. Feminism also protects men. Your partner can be as emotional and vulnerable as they want. That doesn’t make him any less courageous.
קסנומקס. A partner appreciates in you not only beauty, but also intelligence.
קסנומקס. If you have children, you and your partner talk to them about sex.
קסנומקס. You choose which of you to take paid parental leave.
קסנומקס. By your own example, you show your children a model of relationships based on equality.
קסנומקס. Even if you decide to get a divorce, it is obvious to you that both parents need to be involved in the children’s lives.
קסנומקס. You yourself set the rules of marriage and determine the attitude towards monogamy.
קסנומקס. Your partner understands why you support the women’s rights movement.
Analyze your relationship: how do they respect the principles of equality? If your partner shares the principles of feminism, you will not have to fight for your rights within the family.
About the author: Brittany Wong is a journalist.