I need feminism,

Because all girls have heard, "Let him be,

Boys mature slower than you," but never

"Look to her for inspiration, she matures faster."

I need feminism,

Because the first thing he said when I mentioned equality

Was, "Does that mean boys can hit girls, too?"

(As if they don't anyway.)

I need feminism,

Because not enough people know what that word means.

It doesn't mean that women deserve better -

It means that they deserve the same.

I need feminism,

Because patriarchy is so deeply entrenched in society

That a call for anything else

Is seen as misandry.

I need feminism,

Because people think that only women can be feminists.

Apparently, they believe that your anatomy

Affects whether or not you believe in equality.

I need feminism,

Because when I say that I'm a feminist,

Their eyes go wide as they ask the same question,

"But why do you hate men?"