The answer to that question likely differs a lot depending on where you’re from. A recent survey by YouGov found some pretty big differences, even within Western Europe. For example, if you’re from Spain, odds are about 50/50 whether you would answer ‘yes’, seeing as 48% of Spaniards confirmed they were feminists. Danish? The odds would be 1 in 4 (24%). Are you German however? The odds would be far lower. Only 15% of Germans see themselves as feminists.
But does that mean that Germans are less supportive of equal rights between men and women? Well, not necessarily. It is important to note that if you want to have a meaningful comparison about equality, you need to understand how people define ‘feminist’.
A second group in the survey was provided the same question, but with an added definition of a feminist: “(…) someone who thinks men and women should have equal rights and status in society, and be treated equally in every way.” This time, 45% of Germans admitted to being a feminist.
Finally, they asked a third group if they agreed with the definition alone, without mentioning the F-word. “Do you think men and women should or should not have equal rights and status in society, and be treated equally in every way?” Finally, 83% of Germans said they agreed (9% more than in Denmark).
An interesting survey to show the harm stereotypes on labels can do in data collection, and how associations can differ between countries.
