Feminism, by definition, is the “belief in and advocacy of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” However, the word brings much uncertainty as our contemporary society has risen enough to contradict its roots. Various forms of media and entertainment have made it clear that feminism ruptures its abhorrence towards men and inherits hypersexualism among women. Even with the slightest criticism of modern feminism, many individuals heavily oppose it due to the automatic belief in misogyny and the fear associated with women living in a subordinate position to men. Toxic feminism causes internalized misogyny among women who support it and among men who grew to resent it. This does not properly distribute equality; it pushes it.

The first wave occurred in 1848 and continued for 72 years, during which women fought for basic rights, such as property and the ability to vote. The second wave, around the 1960s, mainly fought for reproductive rights, equal pay within the workplace, and abortion with regulations. The third wave lasted from the 1990s to the 2000s, focusing on embracing different forms of feminism and emphasizing that there is no specific way of being one. It also expresses diversity and the freedom for women to live as they choose. Finally, the fourth wave, starting in the 2010s, incorporates social media to fight for gender equality and sexual harassment.

Since feminism is now interpreted through the media and the celebrities who take the lead in it, the rise of hypocrisy serves its purpose well.

Many people hold power by exerting complete control. However, is power equally distributed if both sides are encouraged to evolve into dictators? When briefly encompassing patriarchy, many men have a strong urge to be in control. So much so that a wide range of restrictions have been imposed to not being vulnerable or reacting similarly to the vulnerability they see in women. Whether they hear “Don’t scream like a girl’ “Stop crying and man up!” or being heavily shamed for connecting to any feminine attributes, it may alter their perception negatively towards women since they run away from the idea of being like one. In society, acting like one means having less power; therefore, they see women as individuals who are less valuable than they are. It stirs indirect hate, as some can say women are not funny or they cannot do certain things because of their biology.

Some women hate men because they have lived for years without being able to obtain as much dominance. Feminism today has put women in a position where they are all victims of a man's behavior, painting them as villains. For these women, it serves them complete freedom, finding an opportunity to imitate the thought processes that sexist men had over women. They hold resentment and blame a group of people for having to endure their horrible experiences. Toxic feminism fails to look at basic equality but normalizes these women to belittle misandry and stick to a self-centered process where they can rise above men and view them as useless.

It is definitely not feminism if both sides “gamble” for more freedom and power over the other. It continues to perpetuate the cycle of resentment, misogyny, and misandry.

The phrase “my body, my choice” has taken an absurd toll when a woman sexualizing herself is labeled as empowerment, and not exploitation. From 2023 to 2025, it is estimated that approximately 1-4 million creators will engage in OnlyFans in the US alone. There is less of a contrast with the 1950 ads expressing that women should be submissive, solely in the role of arousing and serving men. Today, we see some celebrities selling and promoting their own bathwater for a slew of profits and engaging in sexual acts out of free will. Toxic feminism brings back that idea but twists it to be women having the power to do whatever they want with their bodies, even in the most atrocious way, which is labeled as “freedom.”

Where is the protection that was fought for during the previous waves? I am not saying that women are to blame for lust, but encouraging a younger generation of girls to act this way pushes away the power of dignity and basic respect that women have been fighting for years. Why be in a community that pushes a group of people back into a position where they were once the most vulnerable and expected not to have control over themselves, and label it as reaching a point of complete freedom in today's society? There is an extent to which it does not encourage sexualization over feminism and does not care about the beliefs that were once imposed.

A woman’s beauty is the most heart-warming and precious thing they can have, and feminism has emphasized this for decades. Using these inherited aspects of oneself as a form of exploitation defeats the purpose of women being more than just bodies of gratification solely for reproduction. Women are human beings with empowerment within their minds and hearts. Using one's body for income only perpetuates the cycle of the things that caused misogyny decades ago. Even with distinct biological traits, women feel equally safe, powerful, secure, and independent as men.

In today's culture, many actions performed by women are placed under the aesthetic or appearance of attractiveness for asserting dominance. When we think about how normalized it has become for individuals to label their emotions as “female rage” or being depressed and mentally unstable as aesthetically pleasing, many young women are influenced to engage in that behavior because it looks visually appealing. This behavior leads to a lack of empathy and a failure to see the worth of other individuals. Feminism, once inclusive of diversity, is now restricted by these patterns.

It has become a trend on social media to hurt men and see them as wild animals, especially when many would pick a bear over four billion people in the population. What is normalized is not normal and leads many women to lack an open mind and take out their morals if something seems aesthetic. These behaviors also reveal internalized misogyny because they reinforce the stereotype of women being overly sentimental and too emotional about mere aspects to make rational evaluations.

Although feminism has become a deterrent, especially in the West, I do not think it should be banned. Real feminism lies in the hearts of those who live in countries where it is impermissible to speak, or they get severely injured if they do not cover themselves completely. Real feminism opens the perspective of both men and women, protects them from the problems both genders have that are occurring, and enforces respect for everyone and for themselves. It does not criticize just one gender but uplifts both equally.

Feminism cares for everyone, regardless of the group they belong to. In a century where women are taught to live like normal human beings, they feel accomplished. True women's empowerment is about the intelligence and individuality of women, and it should not be differentiated solely by gender. Traditional roles can cause discomfort for men, but empowerment acknowledges that women are just as deserving of taking any path in life, whether it involves adhering to a traditional lifestyle or living with complete independence. Empowerment teaches how to neutralize the perceptions and desires of both men and women in a regulated and realistic form. To evolve in a world where women and men, but still few, every single woman and every single man are equally human instead of being in a box within their minds.