Women Are Sharing Their Preferred Acts Of Microfeminism
Microfeminism focuses on the everyday actions individuals take to promote gender equality. It encompasses advocating for basic human decency, challenging inappropriate jokes, and addressing inclusive language. Microfeminism is about creating a space where women can feel equal and heard.
Reddit user u/EntrepreneurUsed9571 posed the question, "Women, what are your preferred acts of microfeminism?" Here are some of the responses that resonated with people:
1.Holding the door open for men.
"I like to hold the door open for men and insist they go through first regardless of how awkward it becomes."
2.Not moving over when walking.
"I walk on my side of the sidewalk and don't move for men walking in the other direction. Each and every time someone almost bumps into me, or they at least have to dramatically change the trajectory of their walk. I had like 4 instances when they actually bumped into me. Funnily enough, women always see me from a mile away and move away really soon."
3.Calling women, women, and not girls.
"I call myself and other women, women. I don’t say 'girls.'"
4.Being upfront.
"Being upfront when people ask what was wrong if I was off sick for menstrual reasons. Gone are the days of hiding behind fake coughs and colds!"
5.Writing a woman's name first.
"I work at town hall recording deeds that are filed with the county. When ownership of a property changes to a married couple with a man and a woman with equal ownership, I always write the woman's name first in our database. Then, any correspondence they receive from us will address her first instead of her husband."
6.Writing code in pink.
"Whenever I have to write a code for others to use that highlights certain parts of information when you run it, I use Barbie pink as the color."
7.Taking a stance against manspreading.
"In public spaces, I make sure that when I'm sitting next to the manspreading men, I make them close their legs. If they are listening to loud videos, I ask them to silence them. To be fair, I would do the same for a woman, but somehow it's ALWAYS men."
8.Referring to God as a woman.
"Whenever someone refers to God as 'He,' I will always correct it to 'She,' despite being atheist."
9.Not apologizing.
"I don't say I'm sorry when 'excuse me' works better."
10.Women keeping their last name.
"I kept my last name when we got married. And when I meet young engaged couples, I always ask the male, 'Are you changing your name?'"
11.Using the right language to reflect the situtation.
"I don’t ever ever say 'my abuser' or 'I was followed,' and I always correct, 'she was assaulted.' It is always the man who abused me, a man who followed me, a man who assaulted her. It’s not just random violence happening to women — it is men perpetrating systemic violence against women and our language has to reflect that."
12.Referring to animals and bugs as she.
"Any animal, bug, or anything I see, I call it a 'she,' and I do this with my own children and the children I teach at school."
13.Sticking up for women.
"I stick up for younger women when men interrupt them."
14.Asking men if they need help.
"I live in a city where the subway has a LOT of stairs and no elevator. I always ask people with big luggage if they need help, either men or women. I love to see the men's faces when I come to them asking if I can help carry the weight. I feel it's both helpful and a way to subtly assert our strength as women."
15.Switching genders in books.
"When my kids were little, all the animal characters in books that were male became female under my watch. It was really eye-opening how 98% of even kids' book characters are, by default, male. They're only girls/women when doing something stereotypically female, like being a mom. Rolls eyes."
16.Asking men why they are being emotional.
"When a man is getting aggressive I hit them with the, 'I can see how emotional you’re getting. Maybe take a beat so you can approach this logically like me.' It trips them up, and it’s quite sad that’s all it takes."
17.Women giving other women compliments.
"I love giving women compliments. It's just honest and I mention what I notice and that I see the work they put in or love their choice or whatever. It's something else when another woman tells you your outfit/makeup/hair is on point. Those smiles getting wider and wider are just great and so worth it!"
18.Using women/BIPOC people in stock photos.
"I myself use women (and BIPOC people) in my work when I need stock photos and/or documentation."
19.Switching the genders in AI devices.
"All the AI 'helpers' in my house are male. Alexa, robot vacuum, everything is male-gendered, and I try to change them to a male voice when possible as well. I’m sick of every AI home assistant being automatically female; it normalizes the idea that women are at people’s beck and call to answer any need."
20.Not making self-deprecating jokes.
"I try not to make any self-deprecating jokes or remarks that have to do with my weight or looks because that makes it OK for others to continue to overly fixate on, and criticize, women for the same. And if I hear another woman doing it, I'm quick to give them a compliment about something I genuinely like about their look. Nothing untrue or over the top — it's gotta be sincere. I do it for men, too. My brand of feminism is rooted in equality."
21.Asserting space in the gym.
"Not letting men beat me in the race to use gym equipment."
Can you think of micro-feminism acts that you love? Let me know in the comments!
Note: Responses may have been edited for length/clarity.
