Since the last journal I wrote was on the topic of "Nice Guys" some are probably wondering how I feel about the rest of it. What I say about gender roles and how I feel about sexuality on social networks never seems to be consistent, so I thought it would be necessary to write a journal about how I honestly feel.

Though I may make the occasional sexist joke every now and again (I am not above that, sorry ladies) I generally consider myself to be pro-feminist.

When men (and even some women) hear the word "feminist" they usually think about a woman who hates men in general and would like to establish some kind of misandric matriarchy. I have done hours of research and know that this is an empty stereotype, but before I get to that I would like to address the "why" behind my opinion.

After seeing what my mother has to deal with every day, I cannot help but feel that there is an institutional patriarchy in our family and in the workplace. To put it mildly, she is afraid to stand up for herself and she is an alcoholic. After seeing this get worse over twenty years I feel that my sympathy to feminist causes is not a choice but an obligation. I may not express it explicitly or consistently, but since I became aware of issues like abortion, contraception and equal pay (around 2006) I have placed women's rights near the top of my political agenda.

I have done hours of research and reading and know that there are varying waves and factions of feminists with varying opinions. I can safely conclude that most of the feminists on Weasyl are in favor of pornographic display. Admittedly I find third-wave, sex-positive feminists to be the most agreeable, but I understand that this is not the only group that likes to display its opinion even within the fandom.

Third-wave feminists have placed more emphasis on a woman's sexual freedom and a man's emotional freedom than their second-wave counterparts.

Earlier I wrote a journal confusing emotional constipation and self-esteem only to find out later that it is better to cry in front of a computer screen than it is to get angsty on Twitter and piss everyone else off (something I learned the hard way after finals week stress and the 19-20 May incident). A lot of emotions not expressed in real life now either go online or are bottled up for the next outburst. I have had this problem for almost my entire life and only since I moved to Lee's Summit and established friendships here have I put serious effort in handling my emotions.

Also, even though most of my Catholic family disagrees, I am solidly pro-choice and pro-contraception and always have been. I do not mention this issue very often, but seeing state-by-state efforts to get rid of the constitutional right is appalling. I do not understand why Republicans would waste so much time going after this fundamental freedom when society has nothing to gain from it. In my opinion, Roe v. Wade did not go far enough, and I believe that abortion rights (including ones that were taken away in state legislatures across the country) need to be protected through federal legislation. I will even go so far as to say that contraception and abortion should be funded by taxpayers just like it is in Canada and that any state that does not comply should be kicked out of the US.

Then there is rape. I have repeatedly drawn a hard line against rape jokes on various social networks and since the 2012 election I have been ashamed to live in the state of Missouri. After seeing an indefensible candidate get about 40% of the vote in the Senate race I cannot help but wonder how sick our society really is and how much I should weep for it. Had such comments been made in Minnesota that candidate would have been forced to resign to avoid contaminating the Republican brand (especially now when the DFL is dominating all branches of that state's government). I also believe that the punishment for rape is not severe enough and that when it happens to anyone they are often too afraid to speak up for themselves because they fear how society will respond to it.

Surprisingly enough the one area where feminists and men under 30 have found a lot of common ground is what makes a bad female character and which women are setting a very bad example for other women. I think they both agree that it would be fun to watch My Little Pony and Kim Possible and burn copies of Twilight and Honey Boo-Boo in a huge bonfire. This low-hanging fruit is the perfect place for feminists to establish a narrative and they are they are not taking advantage of it at all.

On top of that I have noticed recently that there is a huge Internet backlash against feminism (especially from one Amazing Atheist), and this mostly stems from double-standards that are advantageous to women. However, from an economic and societal standpoint these double-standards are trivial in comparison to what women have to deal with.

Is it easier for women to have sex? While as a man my gut reaction is say "yes" the real answer to this is that it is based on a woman's appearance. That morbidly obese girl I saw in high school probably will not be getting any drinks at the bar. Also, even though it is easier for attractive women to find someone to have sex with, they also have to make decisions that men do not have to, like whether or not they should trust the person they are about to fuck or what to do if he is looking for something that she is not. Women are also far more likely to get raped, and this has been concluded even in Minneapolis (the first major city in the US to take statistics for male victims).

On top of that, even if women enjoy the sex they are having, they usually are not seen bragging about it or else they be labeled a slut. Meanwhile when men enjoy having sex they tend to brag about it. A lot. Without consequence. I see this on my Twitter feed every day and to be honest I am annoyed by it too.

It is also true that women usually do not pay for dates and can get free drinks, but as far as the rest of society is concerned they are still making about three quarters for every dollar a man makes in the same position doing the same task (some of whom are single mothers desperately trying to make ends meet).

Knowing this, and despite the occasional sexist joke and whining about not getting laid, I still throw my support behind feminist causes because I do not want anyone else to end up like my mother. Dear God anything but that.