The Fraud of Feminism

by Ernest Belfort Bax

"The Fraud of Feminism" by E. Belfort Bax is a critical exploration of the feminist movement, written in the early 20th century. This work aims to analyze and refute what the author perceives as the misleading claims and privileges that contemporary feminism advocates. Bax's focus is on discrediting the notion that women are oppressed and argues that they actually enjoy various legal and societal privileges that favor them over men. At the start of the book, the author establishes the premise that modern feminism consists of contradictory demands, including equality in rights and a desire for special protections for women. He outlines the historical context of women's social status and suggests that many assertions made by feminists are merely unchallenged legends or distortions of reality. Bax introduces the two sides of modern feminism—political and sentimental—and posits that the latter's influence has resulted in a gender bias within the legal system that favors women. Through this opening, he sets the stage for a broader critique of arguments supporting feminist ideologies.