‘How To Raise A Feminist Son’ is Trending on Twitter

And the responses prove exactly why we need feminism.

‘How To Raise A Feminist Son’ was trending on Twitter on Friday, June 02, 2017 in response to a New York Times article written by Claire Cain Miller which shared very helpful and encouraging tips on how to raise a feminist son. Some of these guidelines included: allowing him to cry, encouraging friendships with girls, teaching ‘no’ means ‘no,’ and teaching him how to take care of himself and others.

Unfortunately, it seems that many trolling tweeters did not actually read the article, yet felt the need to express their judgement, hate, and misunderstanding. One account tweeted, “How to raise a feminist son. Step 1: Don’t,” while a female tweeted, “Please raise your boys to be real men in a world where society urges you to raise a feminist son!!” Of course, some support was shown by feminists, including Alyssa Milano, however the top tweets for this trend were all anti-feminist.

It’s very humbling to be reminded of the lack of education on feminism, which, defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” What are people still so afraid of? Although discouraging, these responses to this article single-handedly prove that we do, in fact, need more accessible and open education on Women’s Rights.

In times of hate, it’s important that feminists and their allies come together in peace and with patient, inclusive words for teaching. Remember, when they go low, we go high!

Read the New York Times article here.

Twitter: @clairecm