Feminism, Equality, and the Balance of Energies
The word feminist is one that stirs strong reactions. For some, it’s a proud declaration of support for women’s rights. For others, it carries uncomfortable weight, suggesting an imbalance that leans too far towards the feminine, leaving the masculine overlooked.
But what does it actually mean to be a feminist? And is the terminology itself helping, or is it sometimes a barrier to true understanding of equality?
What is a Feminist?
At its core, a feminist is simply someone who believes in the equality of women and men — socially, politically, and economically. It’s not limited to women; men and people of all genders can be feminists. The movement arose to address the imbalance where women were historically oppressed under patriarchy.
Yet, the terminology can be misleading. The word feminist seems to centre only the feminine, which can make some people (particularly men) feel excluded, or even fearful that it implies female superiority.
The Movement Versus the Word
Here lies the tension:
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The movement of feminism is about equality.
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The word “feminist” can sound one-sided.
A person might agree wholeheartedly with the cause, but hesitate to use the label. Others embrace the term as solidarity with women, even if the word carries baggage.
The Patriarchy as a System
The patriarchy that feminism challenges isn’t just about power being in the hands of men. It is a system of hierarchy that suppresses both men and women, while privileging an elite few — historically almost always men at the top.
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Most men do not hold positions of great power, yet they are pressured into roles of toughness, emotional suppression, and relentless competition, which takes a toll on their wellbeing.
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Most women face restrictions shaped by expectations of passivity, caregiving, and being valued more for appearance than for ability.
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The system itself thrives on imbalance, rewarding domination and control while devaluing cooperation and care.
For men in particular, this system demands a brittle form of strength — to always appear hard, tough, and unyielding. But this is not true strength; it is fragility disguised. The hardest materials can stand firm, yet when they break, they shatter completely.
Real strength lies in pliability. Like trees, the ones that resist every gust of wind eventually snap, while those that bend remain standing. Even in machines we see this truth: the soft rubber of tyres absorbs impact and protects the car, whereas hard metal wheels would cause catastrophic damage.
Patriarchy, in pushing men towards hardness and denial of vulnerability, sets them up for collapse. True resilience is found in flexibility, emotional honesty, and the ability to adapt — qualities often coded as “feminine,” yet essential for everyone.
A Spiritual Lens
Beyond politics, there is also a spiritual dimension. Every person carries both masculine and feminine energies. Masculine qualities like drive, logic, and structure have long been prioritised, while feminine qualities like intuition, nurture, and receptivity have been undervalued.
From this perspective, feminism could be seen as part of a greater re-balancing of energies in the world. It is not about exalting one over the other, but restoring harmony. Both energies are vital. Just as a bird needs two wings to fly, humanity needs the masculine and feminine in balance to move forward.
Are We All Feminists?
If you believe in equality between men and women, then by definition you are a feminist — whether you choose the label or not. But words matter. Some prefer to call themselves egalitarian, humanist, or equalist. These alternatives may feel more inclusive, but activists sometimes argue they water down the focus on correcting women’s historic disadvantage.
Finding Balance in Difference
To claim “I am a feminist” is to align with the cause of equality, but it also ties you to a word that can feel unbalanced. Perhaps the challenge today is to hold both truths:
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To support the equality that feminism stands for.
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To recognise that the language we use must invite people in, not push them away.
True equality is not about erasing difference or pretending that men and women, masculine and feminine, are the same. It means appreciating and embracing what makes us different, while recognising that those differences do not justify inequality. Every person is unique; no two are the same — and that same truth applies to the sexes. What matters is not whether we are the same, but whether we are equally valued.
In the end, whether we use the word feminist or another term, the deeper calling is the same: to seek a world where masculine and feminine energies, in both society and ourselves, are valued equally and allowed to flourish in harmony.
✨ Balance is not about one side winning, but about both sides dancing together — each bringing its own uniqueness into the whole.
