Can someone help me define Feminism please?

[SavannahMann]

I could link to hundreds of articles, and I could link to dictionaries, but perhaps the definition of Feminism has changed. When I was growing up, it meant that women were treated equally, given equal access to opportunity as men. Equal pay, and all that sort of thing. The idea that some jackass could dismiss an argument from a woman as just the babbling of a girl was insane IMO.

Instead of that, today’s meaning has apparently evolved. Today, it is the cudgel to bash women and men into supporting political views, or candidates, or else. I mention that because of an article I read a few days ago.

Ivanka's visit to Iowa hair salon sparks backlash | Daily Mail Online

Now, apparently the visit of Ivanka Trump to a famous in the region salon was a betrayal by the Salon to the entire idea of Feminism. I’m not sure how that works. If a woman believes a certain course of action or philosophy is right, then isn’t that the actual definition of Feminism? If you don’t agree, that woman is not a traitor, she is exercising her rights as an individual, and we should embrace it instead of demanding conformity.

But let’s take that definition of Feminism. To be appreciated for your mind, your individual accomplishments. To be seen as more than a pretty face or a set of curves. Ok. How does a Salon fit into that in any way, shape, or form? Isn’t the idea of Feminism about the mind, and not the appearance? Isn’t it supposed to get people to look past the appearance, into the actual qualities within? Doesn’t going and getting yourself prettied up fly in the face of that belief?

It is enforced think. Do this or else. It is the exact opposite of Feminism, or any kind of principal that celebrates the qualities of the individual in favor of physical stereotypes. It says. Take me seriously, and is my hair all right? Hey, my eyes are up here, not there in my bosom which is plainly visible in this T shirt that is two sizes too small.

If Hillary had been elected, women like Stormy Daniels would be denounced as participating in the objectification of women. They would be denounced as creating an unrealistic stereotype for women. Now of course, since it is a Republican they are after, the porn star/Playboy model is a heroine who can give another paper cut to the hated enemy.

This is why I always say it is principles over politics. You either believe something, or you don’t. The women who threatened to leave the Salon, who denounced Ivanka as a traitor to Feminism, are themselves anti-Feminist. Because they don’t embrace the individual, and fight to let women be seen as having an equal opinion, which is just as valid, just as worthy as anyone else.

Either women are equal, or they aren’t. Demanding that each woman subscribe to a certain belief system is not Feminism, it is the exact opposite of Feminism. It is what you accuse the men of doing all the damned time.

So what is the definition of Feminism? Feminism - Wikipedia

When did it mutate to mean adherence to group think?

 

[BluesLegend]

Sure feminism = feminazi Rush cleared this up years ago.

 

[usmbguest5318]

I could link to hundreds of articles, and I could link to dictionaries, but perhaps the definition of Feminism has changed. When I was growing up, it meant that women were treated equally, given equal access to opportunity as men. Equal pay, and all that sort of thing. The idea that some jackass could dismiss an argument from a woman as just the babbling of a girl was insane IMO.

Instead of that, today’s meaning has apparently evolved. Today, it is the cudgel to bash women and men into supporting political views, or candidates, or else. I mention that because of an article I read a few days ago.

Ivanka's visit to Iowa hair salon sparks backlash | Daily Mail Online

Now, apparently the visit of Ivanka Trump to a famous in the region salon was a betrayal by the Salon to the entire idea of Feminism. I’m not sure how that works. If a woman believes a certain course of action or philosophy is right, then isn’t that the actual definition of Feminism? If you don’t agree, that woman is not a traitor, she is exercising her rights as an individual, and we should embrace it instead of demanding conformity.

But let’s take that definition of Feminism. To be appreciated for your mind, your individual accomplishments. To be seen as more than a pretty face or a set of curves. Ok. How does a Salon fit into that in any way, shape, or form? Isn’t the idea of Feminism about the mind, and not the appearance? Isn’t it supposed to get people to look past the appearance, into the actual qualities within? Doesn’t going and getting yourself prettied up fly in the face of that belief?

It is enforced think. Do this or else. It is the exact opposite of Feminism, or any kind of principal that celebrates the qualities of the individual in favor of physical stereotypes. It says. Take me seriously, and is my hair all right? Hey, my eyes are up here, not there in my bosom which is plainly visible in this T shirt that is two sizes too small.

If Hillary had been elected, women like Stormy Daniels would be denounced as participating in the objectification of women. They would be denounced as creating an unrealistic stereotype for women. Now of course, since it is a Republican they are after, the porn star/Playboy model is a heroine who can give another paper cut to the hated enemy.

This is why I always say it is principles over politics. You either believe something, or you don’t. The women who threatened to leave the Salon, who denounced Ivanka as a traitor to Feminism, are themselves anti-Feminist. Because they don’t embrace the individual, and fight to let women be seen as having an equal opinion, which is just as valid, just as worthy as anyone else.

Either women are equal, or they aren’t. Demanding that each woman subscribe to a certain belief system is not Feminism, it is the exact opposite of Feminism. It is what you accuse the men of doing all the damned time.

So what is the definition of Feminism? Feminism - Wikipedia

When did it mutate to mean adherence to group think?

Can someone help me define Feminism please?

When I was growing up, it meant that women were treated equally, given equal access to opportunity as men. Equal pay, and all that sort of thing. The idea that some jackass could dismiss an argument from a woman as just the babbling of a girl was insane IMO.

Instead of that, today’s meaning has apparently evolved. Today, it is the cudgel to bash women and men into supporting political views, or candidates, or else.

Without remarking on whether the emboldened assertion is so, if it is so, its being so represents a current use of feminism, not a change in the meaning of the term.

 

[Norman]

I could link to hundreds of articles, and I could link to dictionaries, but perhaps the definition of Feminism has changed. When I was growing up, it meant that women were treated equally, given equal access to opportunity as men. Equal pay, and all that sort of thing. The idea that some jackass could dismiss an argument from a woman as just the babbling of a girl was insane IMO.

Instead of that, today’s meaning has apparently evolved. Today, it is the cudgel to bash women and men into supporting political views, or candidates, or else. I mention that because of an article I read a few days ago.

Ivanka's visit to Iowa hair salon sparks backlash | Daily Mail Online

Now, apparently the visit of Ivanka Trump to a famous in the region salon was a betrayal by the Salon to the entire idea of Feminism. I’m not sure how that works. If a woman believes a certain course of action or philosophy is right, then isn’t that the actual definition of Feminism? If you don’t agree, that woman is not a traitor, she is exercising her rights as an individual, and we should embrace it instead of demanding conformity.

But let’s take that definition of Feminism. To be appreciated for your mind, your individual accomplishments. To be seen as more than a pretty face or a set of curves. Ok. How does a Salon fit into that in any way, shape, or form? Isn’t the idea of Feminism about the mind, and not the appearance? Isn’t it supposed to get people to look past the appearance, into the actual qualities within? Doesn’t going and getting yourself prettied up fly in the face of that belief?

It is enforced think. Do this or else. It is the exact opposite of Feminism, or any kind of principal that celebrates the qualities of the individual in favor of physical stereotypes. It says. Take me seriously, and is my hair all right? Hey, my eyes are up here, not there in my bosom which is plainly visible in this T shirt that is two sizes too small.

If Hillary had been elected, women like Stormy Daniels would be denounced as participating in the objectification of women. They would be denounced as creating an unrealistic stereotype for women. Now of course, since it is a Republican they are after, the porn star/Playboy model is a heroine who can give another paper cut to the hated enemy.

This is why I always say it is principles over politics. You either believe something, or you don’t. The women who threatened to leave the Salon, who denounced Ivanka as a traitor to Feminism, are themselves anti-Feminist. Because they don’t embrace the individual, and fight to let women be seen as having an equal opinion, which is just as valid, just as worthy as anyone else.

Either women are equal, or they aren’t. Demanding that each woman subscribe to a certain belief system is not Feminism, it is the exact opposite of Feminism. It is what you accuse the men of doing all the damned time.

So what is the definition of Feminism? Feminism - Wikipedia

When did it mutate to mean adherence to group think?

Yes, feminism means free shit for the feminists.

It's the ultimate ideology of entitlement.

 

[impuretrash]

Communism for Girls™

 

[Bush92]

I could link to hundreds of articles, and I could link to dictionaries, but perhaps the definition of Feminism has changed. When I was growing up, it meant that women were treated equally, given equal access to opportunity as men. Equal pay, and all that sort of thing. The idea that some jackass could dismiss an argument from a woman as just the babbling of a girl was insane IMO.

Instead of that, today’s meaning has apparently evolved. Today, it is the cudgel to bash women and men into supporting political views, or candidates, or else. I mention that because of an article I read a few days ago.

Ivanka's visit to Iowa hair salon sparks backlash | Daily Mail Online

Now, apparently the visit of Ivanka Trump to a famous in the region salon was a betrayal by the Salon to the entire idea of Feminism. I’m not sure how that works. If a woman believes a certain course of action or philosophy is right, then isn’t that the actual definition of Feminism? If you don’t agree, that woman is not a traitor, she is exercising her rights as an individual, and we should embrace it instead of demanding conformity.

But let’s take that definition of Feminism. To be appreciated for your mind, your individual accomplishments. To be seen as more than a pretty face or a set of curves. Ok. How does a Salon fit into that in any way, shape, or form? Isn’t the idea of Feminism about the mind, and not the appearance? Isn’t it supposed to get people to look past the appearance, into the actual qualities within? Doesn’t going and getting yourself prettied up fly in the face of that belief?

It is enforced think. Do this or else. It is the exact opposite of Feminism, or any kind of principal that celebrates the qualities of the individual in favor of physical stereotypes. It says. Take me seriously, and is my hair all right? Hey, my eyes are up here, not there in my bosom which is plainly visible in this T shirt that is two sizes too small.

If Hillary had been elected, women like Stormy Daniels would be denounced as participating in the objectification of women. They would be denounced as creating an unrealistic stereotype for women. Now of course, since it is a Republican they are after, the porn star/Playboy model is a heroine who can give another paper cut to the hated enemy.

This is why I always say it is principles over politics. You either believe something, or you don’t. The women who threatened to leave the Salon, who denounced Ivanka as a traitor to Feminism, are themselves anti-Feminist. Because they don’t embrace the individual, and fight to let women be seen as having an equal opinion, which is just as valid, just as worthy as anyone else.

Either women are equal, or they aren’t. Demanding that each woman subscribe to a certain belief system is not Feminism, it is the exact opposite of Feminism. It is what you accuse the men of doing all the damned time.

So what is the definition of Feminism? Feminism - Wikipedia

When did it mutate to mean adherence to group think?

Hatred of all men by lesbian organizations such as NOW.

 

[SavannahMann]

I could link to hundreds of articles, and I could link to dictionaries, but perhaps the definition of Feminism has changed. When I was growing up, it meant that women were treated equally, given equal access to opportunity as men. Equal pay, and all that sort of thing. The idea that some jackass could dismiss an argument from a woman as just the babbling of a girl was insane IMO.

Instead of that, today’s meaning has apparently evolved. Today, it is the cudgel to bash women and men into supporting political views, or candidates, or else. I mention that because of an article I read a few days ago.

Ivanka's visit to Iowa hair salon sparks backlash | Daily Mail Online

Now, apparently the visit of Ivanka Trump to a famous in the region salon was a betrayal by the Salon to the entire idea of Feminism. I’m not sure how that works. If a woman believes a certain course of action or philosophy is right, then isn’t that the actual definition of Feminism? If you don’t agree, that woman is not a traitor, she is exercising her rights as an individual, and we should embrace it instead of demanding conformity.

But let’s take that definition of Feminism. To be appreciated for your mind, your individual accomplishments. To be seen as more than a pretty face or a set of curves. Ok. How does a Salon fit into that in any way, shape, or form? Isn’t the idea of Feminism about the mind, and not the appearance? Isn’t it supposed to get people to look past the appearance, into the actual qualities within? Doesn’t going and getting yourself prettied up fly in the face of that belief?

It is enforced think. Do this or else. It is the exact opposite of Feminism, or any kind of principal that celebrates the qualities of the individual in favor of physical stereotypes. It says. Take me seriously, and is my hair all right? Hey, my eyes are up here, not there in my bosom which is plainly visible in this T shirt that is two sizes too small.

If Hillary had been elected, women like Stormy Daniels would be denounced as participating in the objectification of women. They would be denounced as creating an unrealistic stereotype for women. Now of course, since it is a Republican they are after, the porn star/Playboy model is a heroine who can give another paper cut to the hated enemy.

This is why I always say it is principles over politics. You either believe something, or you don’t. The women who threatened to leave the Salon, who denounced Ivanka as a traitor to Feminism, are themselves anti-Feminist. Because they don’t embrace the individual, and fight to let women be seen as having an equal opinion, which is just as valid, just as worthy as anyone else.

Either women are equal, or they aren’t. Demanding that each woman subscribe to a certain belief system is not Feminism, it is the exact opposite of Feminism. It is what you accuse the men of doing all the damned time.

So what is the definition of Feminism? Feminism - Wikipedia

When did it mutate to mean adherence to group think?

Can someone help me define Feminism please?

When I was growing up, it meant that women were treated equally, given equal access to opportunity as men. Equal pay, and all that sort of thing. The idea that some jackass could dismiss an argument from a woman as just the babbling of a girl was insane IMO.

Instead of that, today’s meaning has apparently evolved. Today, it is the cudgel to bash women and men into supporting political views, or candidates, or else.

Without remarking on whether the emboldened assertion is so, if it is so, its being so represents a current use of feminism, not a change in the meaning of the term.

If a word is being misused, or abused, it does not mean what the user thinks it does, and should not achieve widespread usage. It would be as if we decided Christianity meant that you totally did not believe in Christ. Or we defined elections to mean you had one choice on the ballot, and you were punished if you did not choose that one name.

We have too many words that mean things that they don’t mean in popular vernacular. The one constant in those words, is that the movement, or ideals behind them, are dead. I’d hate for Feminism to follow that.

 

[usmbguest5318]

I could link to hundreds of articles, and I could link to dictionaries, but perhaps the definition of Feminism has changed. When I was growing up, it meant that women were treated equally, given equal access to opportunity as men. Equal pay, and all that sort of thing. The idea that some jackass could dismiss an argument from a woman as just the babbling of a girl was insane IMO.

Instead of that, today’s meaning has apparently evolved. Today, it is the cudgel to bash women and men into supporting political views, or candidates, or else. I mention that because of an article I read a few days ago.

Ivanka's visit to Iowa hair salon sparks backlash | Daily Mail Online

Now, apparently the visit of Ivanka Trump to a famous in the region salon was a betrayal by the Salon to the entire idea of Feminism. I’m not sure how that works. If a woman believes a certain course of action or philosophy is right, then isn’t that the actual definition of Feminism? If you don’t agree, that woman is not a traitor, she is exercising her rights as an individual, and we should embrace it instead of demanding conformity.

But let’s take that definition of Feminism. To be appreciated for your mind, your individual accomplishments. To be seen as more than a pretty face or a set of curves. Ok. How does a Salon fit into that in any way, shape, or form? Isn’t the idea of Feminism about the mind, and not the appearance? Isn’t it supposed to get people to look past the appearance, into the actual qualities within? Doesn’t going and getting yourself prettied up fly in the face of that belief?

It is enforced think. Do this or else. It is the exact opposite of Feminism, or any kind of principal that celebrates the qualities of the individual in favor of physical stereotypes. It says. Take me seriously, and is my hair all right? Hey, my eyes are up here, not there in my bosom which is plainly visible in this T shirt that is two sizes too small.

If Hillary had been elected, women like Stormy Daniels would be denounced as participating in the objectification of women. They would be denounced as creating an unrealistic stereotype for women. Now of course, since it is a Republican they are after, the porn star/Playboy model is a heroine who can give another paper cut to the hated enemy.

This is why I always say it is principles over politics. You either believe something, or you don’t. The women who threatened to leave the Salon, who denounced Ivanka as a traitor to Feminism, are themselves anti-Feminist. Because they don’t embrace the individual, and fight to let women be seen as having an equal opinion, which is just as valid, just as worthy as anyone else.

Either women are equal, or they aren’t. Demanding that each woman subscribe to a certain belief system is not Feminism, it is the exact opposite of Feminism. It is what you accuse the men of doing all the damned time.

So what is the definition of Feminism? Feminism - Wikipedia

When did it mutate to mean adherence to group think?

From the Daily Mail article:

The First Daughter went in for a styling session at Salon Spa W, located in the East Village of Des Moines, with the Republican politician on Monday. Spa owner China Wong wrote in the picture post on social media: 'supporting women in politics.'

I found Ms. Wong's full statement in a different publication. What she said was:

"Our Monday kicked off with styling Ivanka Trump for her visit to Iowa! We supporting women in politics." (Source)

Ms. Wong did not depict her salon as something akin to "We styling women-in-politics' hair" or "We serving women in politics." She could have expressed her pride at her salon's having been patronized two statewide and nationally famous woman, but she didn't. She placed the focus of her sentence on support rather than on service, namely the service her salon provides.

Why Wong didn't simply say "styling" instead of "supporting" -- or better yet, simply not post the second sentence, which is what I'd have done -- is beyond me, especially given how politically polarized the country is now. Had she stopped at "Iowa," nobody would have a thing to say. Trump and Reynolds showed up at the salon and got their hair done. Nobody reasonable, and certainly no feminist, thinks the salon was going to or should turn them away.

Clearly, some -- judging by the likes, at least a few hundred -- readers of that statement inferred that Ms. Wong expressly supports the two women pictured, Ms. Trump and the IA governor. It's clear to readers that Ms. Wong knows the women in her photo are politicians, one elected and one appointed. "Support" used with regard to a politician tacitly indicates approval of the political stances that politician advances; thus it's not surprising that readers of Ms. Wong's statement inferred that she politically concurs with Governor Reynolds' views/policies and Donald Trump's views/policies.

Ms. Wong's/Salon W's Facebook page is part of the salon's marketing tactics. Marketing is several things, and one of them is messaging. Apt messaging requires that one choose one's words so as to convey neither more nor less than what one means (aka, choosing words so as to minimize or eliminate ambiguity), which requires one to choose and assemble words and sentences that do not conjure in one's audience's mind inferences one doesn't want them to. One cannot stop audience members from making inferences, but one can express oneself in a way that doesn't hint at an undesired inference.
​

Ivanka's visit to Iowa hair salon sparks backlash | Daily Mail Online

Now, apparently the visit of Ivanka Trump to a famous in the region salon was a betrayal by the Salon to the entire idea of Feminism. I’m not sure how that works.

Ivanka's visiting the salon is not what the salon's customers objected to. As described above, what irks them is that the salon/Ms. Wong supports Reynolds and Trump, politically.

I’m not sure how that works. If a woman believes a certain course of action or philosophy is right, then isn’t that the actual definition of Feminism?

Op-er, were you to (1) master English grammar and linguistics, and (2) accept the definition of feminism for what it is is rather attempting to make it mean something it does not and/or make it mean what you think/want it to mean, you might not have the problems you do with some of the events and remarks that obtain your notice, one of them being your befuddlement over feminism and its manifestations and goals.

You looked up the definition of "feminism" on Wikipedia. The definition and goals of feminism could not be more succinct and clear: "Feminism is a range of political movements, ideologies, and social movements that share a common goal: to define, establish, and achieve political, economic, personal, and social equality of sexes." Unless one thinks women should not receive parity in the noted dimensions, there's nothing to object to about what feminism is.

If a woman believes a certain course of action or philosophy is right, then isn’t that the actual definition of Feminism?

No, it is not. No "Theresa, Tess or Tabitha" has been given the imprimatur to define what feminism is. What feminism is is a constant; one buys into all, some or none of it. "Theresa, Tess and Tabitha" can, at their respective discretion, cotton to as much/many or as little/few of its objectives as each sees fit. Ditto for "Tom, Dick and Harry." Alternatively, individuals can ascribe to none of feminism's objectives and be not a feminist.

If a woman believes a certain course of action or philosophy is right, then isn’t that the actual definition of Feminism? If you don’t agree, that woman is not a traitor, she is exercising her rights as an individual, and we should embrace it instead of demanding conformity.

Women have long exercised or sought to exercise their rights as individuals. Feminism came about and remains because women were not (and still are not) accorded the same rights and privileges that men are. To wit:

• How long did it take for women to become enfranchised? AFAIK, American women desired suffrage at least as long ago as 1848. It took men some 60+ years to accord it to them.
• How long have women demanded equal pay for equal work? I don't know how long, but I know they still don't broadly receive it.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  At the C-level, yes, women, on average, earn more than men. The thing is that, proportionally, so few women who are at the "near-C-level" make it to the C-level. In the Fortune 500, there are about 20 women CEOs.
  
  Given that part of who rises to a given position is in part a numbers game -- in a population of 20 eligible persons, of which one or two are woman, it's not highly likely that a woman will be chosen; but if 10 are women, there's a 50-50 chance of a woman's being selected -- so some portion of the metrics noted above is a reflection of that. Reasonable people understand that and will look at the underlying population to arrive at a reasonable share of presence women might reasonably be expected to have in any given job, firm or industry.
• How long did it take for the prospect of a woman holding high elected office to be viewed as anything other than anathematic?
  • One can reasonably argue that prior to Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential bid, the notion of a woman being POTUS was preposterous, or as they say, "the country wasn't ready for a woman to be president."
  • Clara Cressingham, Carrie C. Holly, and Frances Klock were the first women elected (1894) to state legislatures. They were CO Representatives. Martha Hughes Cannon was the first woman elected as state senator. Utahns elected her in 1896.
  • Until 1900, the Democratic and GOP party conventions were men-only proceedings.
  • For as long as there has been the U.S., women have comprised half the population, yet only recently have women comprised about 20% of the U.S. Congress.
• Even now there remain gender independent jobs and activities that society doesn't value as highly as the exact same role/activity performed by men. For instance, women's sports teams aren't as well received, proportionately across the whole population, as are mens. Are women players any less competitive? No, and because they're not, the adrenaline producing tension of their games is no different. Of course, women generally cannot "jump as high" or "hit as hard," but they're not playing against men, they're playing against each other; thus the competitiveness with which they play isn't affected by the absolute difference in performance.

But let’s take that definition of Feminism. To be appreciated for your mind, your individual accomplishments. To be seen as more than a pretty face or a set of curves. Ok.

That's your definition of "feminism," not the definition of "feminism."

Isn’t the idea of Feminism about the mind, and not the appearance?...When did it mutate to mean adherence to group think?

No. "Feminism's" definition identifies quite clearly what it's about. It's about:

"Feminism is a range of political movements, ideologies, and social movements that share a common goal: to define, establish, and achieve political, economic, personal, and social equality of sexes."​

Feminism, like any sociopolitical movement, is "about" the goal not the movement that aims to achieve the goal. It's no wonder you think what you seem to about feminism; you've put your focus on the movement, not the movement's goal.

Isn’t it supposed to get people to look past the appearance, into the actual qualities within? Doesn’t going and getting yourself prettied up fly in the face of that belief?

No. Feminism bids to establish an environment in the U.S. whereby women's "pretty face" is disregarded in situations where having a "pretty face" isn't germane to the task a woman seeks to perform and that requires someone else to accord to her the authorization to perform it. Women don't object to anyone's being pretty or being pretty while they work (hell, they may even whistle while they work...Sorry, I couldn't resit...); they object to their owning vaginas being used as a basis for discounting the (potential) merit of their work.

For instance, the tacit assertion that accompanies, for instance, paying someone, anyone, less than one pays their peers performing the same work, is this:

• "Your performance potential isn't as good as theirs, but it's good enough that I'm willing to accept the compromise and employ you; however, my way of managing the diminished performance potential is to pay you less than I pay him/her."

For jobs where intrinsic sex-specific traits materially boost a man's ability to outperform a woman, the above assertion is reasonable. The reverse is so too for jobs that are better suited to women because of their intrinsic sex-specific traits. The problem is that there are many jobs for which that simply isn't so, yet women performing those jobs get paid less than men. One of feminism's goals is to establish both a legal and cultural framework whereby the above described inequity is unacceptable.

It is enforced think. Do this or else.

To the extent the threat is "appear to believe that women must, where one's sex doesn't militate for greater or lesser performance, be given the same recognition, considerations and commendations as men, lest you incur the scorn of feminists, and act as though that is what you believe" you're right. I don't think feminists give a damn whether one does indeed believe it; they only care whether one acts like one does.

 

[usmbguest5318]

I could link to hundreds of articles, and I could link to dictionaries, but perhaps the definition of Feminism has changed. When I was growing up, it meant that women were treated equally, given equal access to opportunity as men. Equal pay, and all that sort of thing. The idea that some jackass could dismiss an argument from a woman as just the babbling of a girl was insane IMO.

Instead of that, today’s meaning has apparently evolved. Today, it is the cudgel to bash women and men into supporting political views, or candidates, or else. I mention that because of an article I read a few days ago.

Ivanka's visit to Iowa hair salon sparks backlash | Daily Mail Online

Now, apparently the visit of Ivanka Trump to a famous in the region salon was a betrayal by the Salon to the entire idea of Feminism. I’m not sure how that works. If a woman believes a certain course of action or philosophy is right, then isn’t that the actual definition of Feminism? If you don’t agree, that woman is not a traitor, she is exercising her rights as an individual, and we should embrace it instead of demanding conformity.

But let’s take that definition of Feminism. To be appreciated for your mind, your individual accomplishments. To be seen as more than a pretty face or a set of curves. Ok. How does a Salon fit into that in any way, shape, or form? Isn’t the idea of Feminism about the mind, and not the appearance? Isn’t it supposed to get people to look past the appearance, into the actual qualities within? Doesn’t going and getting yourself prettied up fly in the face of that belief?

It is enforced think. Do this or else. It is the exact opposite of Feminism, or any kind of principal that celebrates the qualities of the individual in favor of physical stereotypes. It says. Take me seriously, and is my hair all right? Hey, my eyes are up here, not there in my bosom which is plainly visible in this T shirt that is two sizes too small.

If Hillary had been elected, women like Stormy Daniels would be denounced as participating in the objectification of women. They would be denounced as creating an unrealistic stereotype for women. Now of course, since it is a Republican they are after, the porn star/Playboy model is a heroine who can give another paper cut to the hated enemy.

This is why I always say it is principles over politics. You either believe something, or you don’t. The women who threatened to leave the Salon, who denounced Ivanka as a traitor to Feminism, are themselves anti-Feminist. Because they don’t embrace the individual, and fight to let women be seen as having an equal opinion, which is just as valid, just as worthy as anyone else.

Either women are equal, or they aren’t. Demanding that each woman subscribe to a certain belief system is not Feminism, it is the exact opposite of Feminism. It is what you accuse the men of doing all the damned time.

So what is the definition of Feminism? Feminism - Wikipedia

When did it mutate to mean adherence to group think?

Can someone help me define Feminism please?

When I was growing up, it meant that women were treated equally, given equal access to opportunity as men. Equal pay, and all that sort of thing. The idea that some jackass could dismiss an argument from a woman as just the babbling of a girl was insane IMO.

Instead of that, today’s meaning has apparently evolved. Today, it is the cudgel to bash women and men into supporting political views, or candidates, or else.

Without remarking on whether the emboldened assertion is so, if it is so, its being so represents a current use of feminism, not a change in the meaning of the term.

If a word is being misused, or abused, it does not mean what the user thinks it does, and should not achieve widespread usage. It would be as if we decided Christianity meant that you totally did not believe in Christ. Or we defined elections to mean you had one choice on the ballot, and you were punished if you did not choose that one name.

We have too many words that mean things that they don’t mean in popular vernacular. The one constant in those words, is that the movement, or ideals behind them, are dead. I’d hate for Feminism to follow that.

We have too many words that mean things that they don’t mean in popular vernacular.

Well, that has to do with the people using the word(s), not the definition of the word(s). To wit, "one" is an impersonal pronoun and "you" is a personal pronoun. The "popular vernacular" routinely forbears the misuse of "you" in place of "one." "You" and "one" are markedly simpler words/concepts to comprehend than is feminism, so that communicators who do so using colloquialisms rather than standard vernacular are sure to create misunderstandings among some measure of their audience(s).