Why microfeminism isn't small stuff after all
I admit, I like to think big. When I first heard micro…huh?…microfeminism, I thought it could only be a joke, a male joke…microfeminism, microfeminists, (female) small stuff. But micro-feminism is bigger than it appears at first glance. And it’s not only effective, but also fun.
What is microfeminism:
We make micro-decisions every day: Coffee or tea, bus yes, walking no, more money, ignore an email, speak up in a meeting, call back a friend, eat out or cook for ourselves, go to bed later than planned.
This is how microfeminism works – it is the feminism of small actions. Every woman can think about her own tactics, whether it is always speaking to women first in meetings, empowering women around her every day, talking about “men’s soccer” from now on because “women’s soccer” also exists, or saying “hi girls” instead of “hi guys. Don’t apologize if there’s nothing to apologize for, and if you meet a man on the street, don’t avoid him – unless he needs help.
Trend microfeminism
Microfeminism is a concept that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s in the second wave of feminism. It is about bringing feminism into everyday life – not in a way that calls for struggle and revolution, but through continuous action.
Consistency is the key – just like in sports. Microfeminism is based on the assumption that these micro-decisions will make a difference – if they are made regularly, by as many people as possible.
Microfeminism is experiencing a renaissance on social media this year. When American host and producer Ashley Chaney shared her favorite form of microfeminism in a TikTok video: “When I’m sending an email, like to a CEO, and you have to copy their assistant’s address for scheduling purposes. If the assistant is female, I always put her address before the CEO’s in the ’email to’ line.” The TikTok video was viewed by 2.8 million people and sparked a viral conversation.
Microfeminism in everyday life
By making patriarchal structures and stereotypes visible in everyday life, we encourage women and promote community empowerment. It is these small steps that lead to the long-term goal of women’s equality and empowerment.
Here are more ways to practice microfeminism in your daily life:
- Set boundaries: Know your boundaries and defend them with confidence.
- Question beauty standards: You don’t have to meet every standard to be valuable.
- Support other women: Microfeminism is a community approach. A compliment or honest conversation can go a long way.
- Learn to say no: “No” is a complete sentence, without justification.
- Use your network: No matter how many people you reach, your voice and actions matter.
It may sound small and sometimes petty, but these small steps help to change consciousness. Yes, I dream of the big revolution, but I know that equality isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. Every step counts. Let’s keep going!
