‘it’s up to others to attach labels’: are we scared to call ourselves feminists?

David Cameron: reluctant feminist? (Image: Toms Norde, Valsts kanceleja)

UK Prime Minister, David Cameron has recently been interviewed by British publication Red magazine about his children, his family life, and whether or not he considers himself to be a feminist. Cameron happily opened up about his role in family life, about being there at the birth of his four children, even admitting that it would be extremely unlikely for him to become a father for the fifth time. But when it came to the question of labelling himself a feminist, he was reluctant to accept the label, stating that ‘…it’s up to others to attach labels. But I believe that men and women should be treated equally.’

Cameron’s position on equality and his treatment of women has been somewhat divided. Many media outlets have proposed that Cameron has a ‘problem with women’ and that his attitude towards modern women will ultimately be the reason for his ousting from political office. This criticism has been ongoing over several years during his Prime Ministership, including an incident in 2011 when he patronisingly told MP Angela Eagle to ‘calm down dear’ (which he has dismissed as a joke, but also said that it would be something he would never do again). In his recent interview, Cameron stated that he is committed to addressing and ultimately overcoming ‘the historic disadvantage that women have faced’.

So, there is an apparent question about whether we believe in Cameron’s actions, or whether we believe in his words from this interview in regards to his position and ideals towards women. But I’m not really interested in looking into this question in detail as much – I believe that people can make up their own minds based on the facts and their own beliefs to come to a conclusion about Cameron. What I am interested in exploring is why he is so reluctant to label himself a feminist.

This concern isn’t unique to Cameron. Why would anyone be reluctant to label themselves a feminist? Has the social stigma around feminism really become that bad that even the suggestion of living by feminist principles is something someone would want to deny?

I think that perhaps this is due to a lack of understanding about feminism. Certainly in my own personal experience, when feminism is raised as a conversation topic, it is often met with eye-rolling, groans and a general apathy towards even having it as a conversation topic. Some common misconceptions about feminism are that it is dominated by angry lesbians, that it hates all men, or even that it has no relevance in the contemporary world. Given the general negative vibe around feminism in some social circles, this could be the reason why Cameron isn’t so keen to be identified as a feminist.

Perhaps some education on the real causes and ideals of feminism are in order here, so that everybody, not just high profile members of the community, can feel more comfortable about calling themselves feminists.

Feminism is clearly more about advocating equality, human rights and basic freedoms for all than it is about anything else (including the aforementioned list of feminist clichés and misconceptions). In order for this message to be spread and understood more thoroughly, we need people like David Cameron to willingly accept the tag of ‘feminist’, and to broadcast its true meaning to those who are still close-minded about the reality of feminism.

Bearing all of that in mind though, do we really mind if Cameron calls himself a feminist or not? Based on his words (perhaps not the strongest thing to go by, given that he is a politician…) his ideals are in line with feminist principles, which should be the most important thing for the future of one of the most influential countries in the world. Ultimately, it’s his actions and his government’s policies that will ultimately ring most true, rather than labels attached by extraneous others.