I was doing research for my class presentation on feminism and I came across this website. You are obviously a man. I say that not as an insult and not in a degrading way, but I say that because any woman knows that she lives in a patriarchal society. I agree that it may, at times, seem as if men are vilified in feminist discussion, but what some woman forget to remind their audience is that individual men are not to blame, patriarchy is to blame. I don't understand how you can say we do not live in a patriarchal society when there has never been a woman president. That is the most obvious rebuttal to your claim: "There is a strong case for saying that there really is no patriarchy."

It is true that some men respect women, but you used the word honor. "Respect" and "honor" are a little different and I think respect is a better fit. However, to say most men do is stretching it. Tell me why it is that I can't walk down the street in jeans and a t-shirt and not be yelled at, hooted at, screamed at, barked at, etc., at least a dozen times. Society says this is okay. Perhaps this example does not seem that important, but it is one of the many occurrences that I am affected by and women are affected by daily. On the street and in subways I have been felt up, groped, and touched many times by uninvited men. One has to only turn on mtv for a few minutes to me bombarded by images of females being sexual objects for guys. Do you see the correlation between that and being barked at or groped in the street? Tell me also why it is that girls often keep rape stories hush hush. Rape is not tolerated by "the law," but to a certain degree it is tolerated in society. It is true that rape is less tolerated than it used to be, but the problem has not gone away. That is why we need feminist groups and people in general to continue talking about such issues.

There are many female issues in the US that need to be made more public and I could write you a long list if you so wish, but in other countries the situation is often worse. If you have ever done any research on FGM (female genital mutilation), that is one very strong and apparent example. I wrote an entire essay on that topic, but I won't throw that much stuff at you. Another example: Women in Turkey were just recently given the right to make decisions about jobs outside of the home. Before that law women could do nothing outside the home unless their husband gave them the okay. I cannot imagine what it would be like to live there. I could go on and on will examples and situations. The whole abortion is yet another example if you want my thoughts on that. The important thing to realize is that these problems do exist and it is important that there are feminist groups out there publicizing these issues.

I in no way believe that women are better than men or vise versa, that is not what feminism means. I would just like to live in a world were I am not disrespected, labeled, or controlled, because I am female. Sadly, I do not see this happening unless there is a balance of female and male energy, a society that is not patriarchal.

By the way, it is a fact that women make 70 cents to a man's dollar.

I do respect that there are and should be different opinions on these topics, I don't agree with yours, but you are allowed to make it like I am allowed to make mine.