Now you ask a group of young women on the college campus, 'How many of you are feminists?' Very few will raise their hands because young women don't want to be associated with it anymore because they know it means male-bashing, it means being a victim, and it means being bitter and angry.

It's no wonder there is a mad scramble for victim status on many campuses today. It confers authority and prestige.

So far there has been little discussion among gender scholars about the need to engage with skeptics. They tend to view skeptics and dissenters as cranks.

Girls are more academically powerful. They make the grades, they run the student activities, they are the valedictorians.

In reality, American girls are among the most outspoken, ambitious, successful girls in the history of the human race.

Even the most independent and spirited young women can become humorless, self-absorbed, and fearful. It's a terrible preparation for life.

The serious work for feminism in the 21st century is across the globe. Instead of retreating into "safe spaces" and focusing on their own imagined oppression, today's feminists should be reaching out to women's groups in the developing world.