There are a lot of worthy causes in the world, and it’s impossible to focus on more than a handful at a time. Sometimes I wonder why I find the cause of feminism to be so compelling. Here’s a few reasons (of many that I could mention):

• Because murder by domestic partners is a leading cause of death among pregnant women.
• Because 1 in every 4 college women have been victims of rape or attempted rape.
• Because 1 in 10 college women suffer from an eating disorder.
• Because in dual-income marriages, women still do 3-4 times more housework than the men.

• Because male leaders are responsible in my Church for hearing intimate confessions from women and making daily decisions that profoundly affect the social and spiritual lives of women.
• Because my wife does not have the authority in my Church to perform healing ordinances, to bless or baptize her children, or to be in a general spiritual leadership position over me.
• Because de facto polygamy still exists in my Church when it comes to temple divorce and second marriages in the temple. It may not be acceptable on earth, but it sure is in heaven.
• Because my daughter will not have the opportunity that my son will have to go through a number of priesthood ordination rites throughout his teen years that will validate his importance in Church society and prepare him for leadership roles.

Having a daughter is a big reason. I love both of my children, and I want my daughter to have all of the opportunities my son will have. I’d also like my son to feel like he can continue to be the gentle, peaceful, and nurturing soul that he is, without being accused of being unmanly by society.

I’m realizing that I could go on and on about this subject. I should start an ongoing series: “Why I am a Feminist.” There’s a lot of ground to cover, and with the scarcity of feminist men out there, maybe I can provide a bit of a fresh perspective.