Hi,

I am 21 years old and my girlfriend feels very strongly about the feminist movement... and I am also a supporter, but obviously not as much as she. When we talk about the subject, we often don't agree on all of the details involved.

Being passionate about the subject, she will get upset and I try to explain to her that although we both support equal rights, we may still disagree on some of the issues...

When I try telling her that I am a supporter too, she tells me I am not, because I don't know what it's like to be a women and be scared of certain things. Is there some way for me to help her understand my situation, or is my thinking just incorrect?

I would appreciate however you can help because the situation is beginning to jeopardize our relationship.

Thanks so much.

Drew

Drew --

I think that it is certainly valid that you two would experience feminism differently and that's not just because of your gender.

I know that I have a different orientation to feminism than female friends/colleagues of mine -- so it's not about your gender, but about what issues you prioritize and how you orient yourself to them.

I think that it's important for you to be clear about how your life has been impacted by feminism -- or what feminism means to you. It's important that you define it for yourself and that will bring clarity to what you are talking about.

I hope that helps. Good luck,

- Amy