Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
What is feminism? By general definition
The importance of gender equality and equity
Feminism in modern perspective
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: What is feminism? By general definition
Merriam-Webster defines feminism as equal opportunities and rights regardless of gender and as organized activity advocating women’s interests and rights (Merriam-Webster, 2015).
Though this simple definition gives a broad understanding of what the word feminism aggregates, what feminism means to each individual is far more multifarious. In this short reflection I will explore what feminism means to me by considering two feminist postings, one that resonates with me and another that challenges my beliefs.
The first post I chose is entitled “12 Personal Rights Women Have in Intimate
Relationships”. It begins by the author delineating how culture trains women, herself included, to believe a woman’s needs are never to be placed first. Moreover, a woman sacrificing her needs
in
…show more content…
Despite having views geared more towards prevention of pregnancy and away from abortion, I have no intentions of letting my personal outlooks stand as a barrier between myself and patients with opposing opinions. I want to form trusting, unbiased, relationships with all patients regardless of contradictory views. I cannot say I would rally with other feminist women in support of abortion, but I do wish to empower all women by assisting them in exploring all of their options. I want to provide women patients with enough information so they feel comfortable with making a decision they can fully support even if I do not.
Though I do not totally agree with everything feminism has come to stand for, I would still identify myself as a feminist. In essence I believe feminism to be equal opportunity to all regardless of gender, a celebration of the power of women, and expectation of a better future. I hope as a provider I am able to use these views as a way to empower the women I will have under my
“I have no idea what a feminist is although I have heard the term before,” said Stewart. I told her not to feel bad because I did not know the meaning of the term until I took the class and gave her bell hooks’ definition. Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression. Although they do not have to be an activist, they should be pro-choice. “With that being said I don’t consider myself a feminist but I am pro-choice. I give advice and let others learn from experience. A person is going to do what they want so I don’t push my opinion off on others.” While others have a clue to what a feminist is but do not fully understand their purpose. “I think a feminist is someone who wants more equal rights for women but take it to the extreme,” said Nia. I explained to her that a feminist does not have to be an extreme activist. Her response was “I still don’t consider myself a feminist because I don’t really care about trying to make a change for women’s rights. I think it’s as good as it is going to get,” said
There are countless examples of women standing up for themselves, protesting injustices, and empowering others. The idea also works the other way and influences behavior of people threatened by the idea of feminism. These people refer to themselves as either anti-feminists or meninists. A prime example of feminism in the real world is the protests at the early release of the Stanford rapist. This man raped an unconscious woman behind a dumpster and was sentenced to six months in jail. He served three of those months and is now on probation for a year. This is a classic example of how the justice system tends to blame the victim while favoring the attacker. Over one hundred women’s rights protestors gathered hours after his release demanding for the judge to be recalled. Because these women were calling for political reform, they would be considered liberal
Lastly, the feminism movement should be embraced. Women have come a long way from not being allowed to vote or not being able to have the same jobs as men. Women have been treated second class to men and even though a lot has changed, there are still some areas where there are shortcomings. This movement is here to help, not only women but humanity (Cavanaugh, 2014).
Feminism and the right to equality has been a long and arduous struggle for women before the Civil Rights Act. The Feminine Mystique sparked a change, questioning society, which continues today as women fight for equal treatment regardless of laws that claim for their protection. Feminists will continue to fight for the day where women will be treated as equals, where there will be no gender bias, and for the day when a woman can state her mind, just as her male counterpart, without being called an uptight
Man hating and unhygienic are the words typically used to describe a modern-day feminist, but the words that should be used are passionate and righteous. Incomprehension of the meaning of feminism leads to a lack of necessary female empowerment. Feminism, by definition, is the belief in social, political, and economic equality of the sexes (Issitt). When women participate in feminism, instead of working against it, they can tackle the everyday issues that try to silence women in society. Women were finally given the right to vote in 1919 and have gained more prominence in society today. Though, they still face many issues and many walls that have to be broken down before they can be given the equal life opportunities that men are granted at birth (Lee). Feminism is still prerequisite in the world today to battle against the iniquity in financial, social, and political aspects so gender equality can be achieved.
Abortion is a voluminous topic today all around the world. Differing viewpoints on abortion are recognized in politics, religion, and throughout the general population. There is a small amount of people who are nonchalant on the subject. Women have abortions for many different reasons and according to certain groups these reasons are either justified or not. Everyone tends to have their own articulated opinion, and many vocalize tenaciously what they believe. Pro-life individuals along with religion are sanguine that abortion is ethically and morally erroneous. Whereas those who are pro-choice say that abortion is inconsequential and the mother’s choice is more important than the fetus. Reasons to not get an abortion include risks involved in receiving an abortion. In some cases death can occur. However, there are other alternatives to abortion. For example, raising the child and adoption.
Feminists shouldn’t bash other because they use different methods of obtaining empowerment and equality, but rather embrace what they have to bring to the table. Instead of scoffing at other’s tactics, feminists should “choose their weapon” and use their own strategy to reach equality and create change.
be a feminist and times you should not. If a women would be a feminist
Feminist theory is the extension of feminism into theoretical, fictional or philosophical dissertation. It helps to explain the main nature of gender inequality. It further explains the social roles of women in the society such as education, communication, philosophy, sociology and so on (Chodrow, Nancy 1991).
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian author who has received numerous awards and distinctions. Her main argument is that everyone should be a feminist not because of our gender, but because it is what is right. Adichie has been featured in Beyonce’s song, “Flawless”, spreading awareness to the idea of feminism. “We Should All Be Feminists” is a book about her experiences in Nigeria, where men are more powerful than women. The intended audience of the passage is each and every person residing in heavily patriarchal societies. Hesr thesis is “we should all be feminists”.
True feminism sought for women to have freedom and rights, such as the right to vote, the right to gain an education, and the right to equal wages. In most aspects, we have been given these rights, but radical feminists are not content. There has been a jump from “We are equal to men,” to “women are superior.” Women have been fighting stereotypes for ages, proclaiming how horrid they are, yet quickly turn around and stereotype men and see no issue with this hypocrisy. The way for women to reach the equality they seek is to bring others up as well as themselves, not to tear them down. When feminists realize and act upon this, they will begin to see the results they have been hoping
Change Feminism to Equalism What is feminism? Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression. In my own words feminism is a woman, who fight for equal rights and equal opportunities as a man, even it’s regarding to work, children’s or political issues. However, today due to feminism movement women get more priority then men in social issues, which make men to think that the word feminism is a bad word itself because of the word “feminism” constantly blamed and degraded men’s by making the belief that all men’s are bed and they can never respect women’s.
In conclusion, a women’s right to choose can justify abortion, but it should be banned because it's immoral and life begins at conception. Women have been given the right to have an abortion under the United States Constitution, but this right is still being protested by the people that fight for the unborn's rights. It is immoral because it is simply defined as murder. Life begins at conception not at birth. Before a child is born it is given all its supplies to survive. Before birth the child’s heart beats, all its necessary organs have been made present, and gastric juices flow in the stomach. This is a child that dreams, feels pain, and thinks. Some women may look at having an abortion to solve personal conflicts, but in all, women that chose abortion are abandoning their strengths of creation, compassion, and ability to be a mother. After evaluating each side, especially that of the pro-choice movement, and debating each side, I feel pro-life is the movement I stick with in most circumstances.
Furthermore, I thought that feminism would be a concept to initiate argument about women’s rights and the injustices that are done to them by others. Although I do support women’s rights, I believed that feminism only
These two articles helped to open my mind to the many opposing views of feminism and how I