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5 mic-drops from Obama’s unprecedented new essay on feminism.

"It's important that their dad is a feminist, because now that's what they expect of all men."

Obama has fully embraced the F-word, and he's not afraid to show it.

The F-word being feminism, of course.

Photo by Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images.


In a new essay published in Glamour, the president dove into our collective successes — and the hurdles that remain — when it comes to gender equality.

And honestly? It just might be the most feminist article a sitting president has ever written.

The whole piece nails why need to be changing our laws — and our attitudes — to promote a more equal future. But a few lines really stood out as deserving of an "Oh, hell yeah!"

1. Obama is not here for the double standard that congratulates a man for being a sexual person while shaming women for the same thing.

"We need to keep changing the attitude that raises our girls to be demure and our boys to be assertive, that criticizes our daughters for speaking out and our sons for shedding a tear. We need to keep changing the attitude that punishes women for their sexuality and rewards men for theirs."

Obama and famed feminist activist and author Gloria Steinem. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images.

2.  The president gets that there's only so much he can do to boost equality as a policymaker — we have to change our hearts and minds.

"While I’ll keep working on good policies — from equal pay for equal work to protecting reproductive rights — there are some changes that have nothing to do with passing new laws. In fact, the most important change may be the toughest of all—and that’s changing ourselves."

Photo by Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images.

3. Obama predicts all of the men in Sasha and Malia's lives will wear the "feminist" badge proudly. And he expects nothing less.

"Michelle and I have raised our daughters to speak up when they see a double standard or feel unfairly judged based on their gender or race—or when they notice that happening to someone else. It’s important for them to see role models out in the world who climb to the highest levels of whatever field they choose. And yes, it’s important that their dad is a feminist, because now that’s what they expect of all men."

Photo by Aude Guerrucci-Pool/Getty Images.

4. The president made sure to note that women have been just as influential in shaping this great country as men — even if they haven't been recognized for it.

"I want all of our daughters and sons to see that this, too, is their inheritance. I want them to know that it’s never been just about the Benjamins; it’s about the Tubmans too."

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images.

5. And finally, he made it very clear: Feminism doesn't just benefit half of our society — everyone wins when equality is the norm.

"I want [our sons and daughters] to help do their part to ensure that America is a place where every single child can make of her life what she will. That’s what twenty-first century feminism is about: the idea that when everybody is equal, we are all more free."

Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images.

As Obama understands, feminism shouldn't be a politically charged term — it should be an idea that every president fights for.

That's one legacy that will live long past his eight years in the White House.

Head on over to Glamour to read all of Obama's essay.

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