Feminism is not as widely embraced as one might think on a global scale. A recent survey conducted by Ipsos in 31 mostly high and upper-middle income countries revealed that only 39 percent of respondents identified as feminists. On the contrary, an average of 51 percent disagreed with being described as feminists. Only two countries, India and Spain, had a majority of respondents agree that they saw themselves as feminists. Even when only considering the responses of women, the number of countries where a majority identified as feminists only increased to seven.
In Japan, the country with the lowest percentage of respondents identifying as feminists, only 15 percent of both men and women agreed with the statement. The negative connotations associated with feminism in Japan were highlighted by the fact that 61 percent of respondents overall disagreed with the idea. Similarly, South Korea, the second-lowest ranked country, has faced criticism for its lack of women’s rights and a growing group of men described as anti-feminist or incel.
The Economist recently published an article discussing a backlash against feminism in countries like Japan and South Korea, where women are excelling in academics while traditional gender roles are still prevalent in society. Surveys have shown that a significant percentage of young men in these countries believe in reverse discrimination and harbor negative feelings toward feminism.
Economic hardships in developed economies, particularly in East Asia, have exacerbated feelings of unfairness when policies promoting gender equality are implemented. The surplus of men, a result of previous preferences for sons, has also made life more difficult for males in work and personal relationships. Online spaces have become breeding grounds for incel culture, where frustration with these societal changes is vented.