The Dangers of Feminism: What About Our Boys?

By Dr. Damian A. Hinton, Sr., MDiv, MTh, DMin

Part 1: The Rise of Feminism and the Ideology of Sameness

Over the years, I’ve had the sobering opportunity to witness the slow feminization of not only society but of the Church itself. This shift is not merely about increased emotional awareness or cultural sensitivity—those in and of themselves are not necessarily harmful. The real issue emerges when we observe the strategic mistake often made: the attempt to mold boys into hypersensitive, gender-neutral beings, rather than embracing and nurturing their distinct masculine identity.

Yes, we are all human. We all share the same biological framework—hearts, lungs, skin, blood. But that shared humanity does not erase the God-given distinctions between male and female. There are emotional, psychological, and spiritual differences between men and women, boys and girls. Those differences are not flaws to be corrected; they are gifts to be stewarded.

Feminism, in its earliest form, began as a movement to address genuine grievances—civil inequality, lack of representation, and limited vocational or educational opportunities. These were real and, in many cases, worth confronting. However, it is disingenuous to suggest that all women throughout history were universally barred from learning or participating in society. Historical evidence shows that women often held significant roles in religious, familial, and even political contexts. In the Bible alone, women like Deborah, Huldah, and Priscilla exercised leadership, wisdom, and spiritual authority within their respective spheres.

We also find examples of women in the secular world who influenced history despite prevailing cultural limitations—such as Hypatia of Alexandria, a philosopher and mathematician in late antiquity; Hildegard of Bingen, a medieval polymath and theologian; and later, women like Sojourner Truth, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Florence Nightingale, whose contributions reshaped religious, social, and scientific discourse in their eras. Their existence doesn’t diminish the challenges women faced, but it does complicate the simplistic narrative of total female exclusion.

Beyond these, history reveals a rich tapestry of powerful and intelligent women leaders who shaped nations and cultures: Cleopatra and Hatshepsut of Egypt, Boudica of Britannia, Catherine the Great of Russia, Elizabeth I of England, Queen Victoria, Empress Theodora of Byzantium, Zenobia of Palmyra, Wu Zetian of China, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Nefertiti, Artemisia, Isabella I of Castile, Sobekneferu, Empress Dowager Cixi, Indira Gandhi, Maria Theresa of Austria, Margaret Thatcher, and many others. Even in warrior traditions, African female leaders such as Queen Nzinga, Yaa Asantewaa, and the Dahomey Amazons stand as enduring testaments to strength and strategy. These examples further prove that history—contrary to feminist revision—was never void of female agency or brilliance.

The real shift occurred in the 20th century with the emergence of second-wave feminism. This phase moved beyond equal rights and adopted a new mission: to redefine gender itself. Influenced by Marxist ideology, critical theory, and radical individualism, this wave sought not just equity, but ideological sameness.

Ideological sameness is the belief that equality between men and women requires the elimination of gender distinctions—not just in opportunity, but in roles, identity, and behavior. It rejects the biblical and biological differences between the sexes in favor of a constructed neutrality. Masculine traits such as leadership, assertiveness, and physicality are often labeled toxic, while femininity is either universalized or weaponized against manhood.

In doing so, feminism lost its original footing. Rather than celebrating womanhood and dignifying female contribution, it began diminishing the role of men. It became less about uplifting both sexes and more about restructuring society around a politicized ideal—an ideal that refuses to honor God's design.

We must begin this conversation by asking: What has been the cost of replacing complementarity with sameness? And more specifically, what has this shift done to our boys?

In Part 2, we will explore the cultural, educational, and psychological fallout of this ideological imbalance—and why boys and young men are suffering in silence.