New research from YouGov suggests that while the word “feminist” continues to divide public opinion in Britain, the belief in gender equality remains overwhelmingly strong. The survey, conducted among 6,601 adults, found that only 35% of Britons identify as feminists when asked directly. However, when the concept of feminism is framed as the belief that men and women should have equal rights and status in society, support for the idea surges to 83%.
The findings highlight a persistent contradiction in public attitudes. Despite the clear majority agreeing with feminist principles, the label itself remains a stumbling block for many. Even when feminism is defined explicitly as the belief in equality, only 65% are willing to call themselves feminists. The gap suggests that the term still carries negative associations, discouraging some from using it even when they support its core ideas.
The data also reveals a sharp gender and generational divide. Younger men are more likely to identify as feminists than older men, but the trend reverses when looking at the broader question of equality. Among men aged 18-29, only 37% say they are feminists, a figure that drops to 22% among those over 60. However, when simply asked whether men and women should be equal, support rises across all male age groups, reaching 88% among those aged 50 and over.
Women, unsurprisingly, are more likely to align with feminist beliefs, but even among them, the reluctance to adopt the label is evident. While 66% of women aged 18-29 are comfortable calling themselves feminists when given a definition, this still falls short of the 83% who say men and women should be equal. The figures suggest that despite decades of feminist activism, negative perceptions of the word remain ingrained in public consciousness.
This issue is not new. Similar surveys from previous years have found little movement in the way the public relates to feminism. The results mirror long-standing discussions about how feminism is framed in the media, with opponents often characterising it as extreme or unnecessary. The persistence of this perception, despite overwhelming agreement with its core principles, raises questions about how feminist activism is received and communicated.
The political breakdown of the survey adds another layer of complexity. Support for feminism varies significantly across party lines, with 50% of Labour voters identifying as feminists compared to just 18% of those who support Reform UK. But again, when the conversation shifts to equality itself, the numbers change, showing broad support across the political spectrum.
The reluctance to use the word “feminist” is not unique to Britain. Similar patterns have been observed in other countries, with younger generations often distancing themselves from the label despite advocating for policies rooted in feminist principles. Social media has further complicated the issue, with high-profile figures using feminism as both a rallying cry and a point of contention.
For campaigners, the challenge remains how to bridge the gap between belief and identity. While the principles of feminism continue to gain acceptance, the word itself still meets resistance. The question is whether activists should push harder to reclaim the term or focus on the substance of the movement rather than the label.
What is clear is that the majority of Britons agree on one thing: men and women should be equal. Whether they choose to call that feminism or not is another matter entirely.
