Feminism is a group of movements and ideologies that have a common goal: the political, economic and social equality of the sexes ("Feminism," 2015). Historians have debated the origin of feminism (Rampton, 2015). Did it begin with the greek poetess Sappho? Or with the french author, Christine de Pizan, who is regarded as the the first woman to take up her pen in defense of her sex (Beauvoir, 1953, p. 105)? Women throughout history have challenged society's attitudes when it comes to the female gender and their contributions overtime have made a great impact for women all around the world today. It was around the eighteenth century when Mary Wollstonecraft, often distinguished as the first feminist philosopher, advocated for the same respect and rights for the female sex. However, it was not until the late nineteenth century, that the feminist movement, or rather a series of movements, emerged.
So how exactly does the feminist theory play into all of
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this? The feminist theory, is an extension of the feminist movement. It debates theoretical and philosophical approaches to understand why we have gender inequality. There are several perspective from which to approach this the feminist theory--it can be liberal, radical, socialist, just to name a few. To get a better idea of the feminism, it's best to look at it from it's indiviual movements. The feminist movement is divided into three, arguably four, different periods (Rampton, 2015). The first-wave of feminism emerged in the late nineteenth century, specifically in 1848. It began in The Seneca Falls Convention, which is considered the first women's rights convention (Dumenil, 2012, p. 56). The goal of the convention was, "to discuss the social, civil, and religious condition and rights of woman." This convention lasted two days, and soon gained attention and was followed by other women's rights conventions (University of Rochester, 2006). Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who is considered a foremother of the feminist movement was present in this convention, along with three hundred men and women. Stanton, along with the other Quaker women who organized the convention drafted a document called "The Declaration of Rights and Sentiments." This document was modeled after the Declaration of Independence, and at the time where traditional gender roles were the what was expected, the Declaration of Rights and Sentiments caused controversy and was deemed scandalous at the time (Oneida Whig, 1848). Society also saw this as a threat to "The Culture of Domesticity." This was was a system of values held in high regard among the upper and middle classes during the nineteenth century in the western countries (Keister & Southgate, 2012, p. 228–230). According to historian Barbara Welter, this system focused on the ideas of femininity, the woman's role within the home and the dynamics of work and family. True Women, who followed these values were supposed to embody four cardinal virtues: piety, purity, domesticity, and submissiveness (Welter, 1966). Women who followed these values were seen as perfect; and because those who actively promoted this value system were white, religious, middle and upper class, those who didn't meet those standards were excluded based on prejudice (Lindley, 1996, p. 56). Whereas the first-wave of feminism focused on legal issues, such as women's right to vote or own property, it was exclusively directed towards the privileged and less on the immigrant, working class women of color, etc. The second wave of feminism gained traction in the 1960's and continued into the early 1990's. Where first-wave feminism focused on political issues ( i.e., women's suffrage and property rights) as obstacles to gender inequality, second-wave feminism tackled other issues as sexuality, gender, reproductive rights, etc. Second-wave feminism also drew attention to issues at home such as domestic violence and marital rape (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2015). This lead to establishing rape crisis centers and women's shelters and also changes to custody and divorce laws. This lead to the movement being viewed as theoretical and radical. Women began to question patriarchy, capitalism, gender roles, their roles in society and in their family. Feminists realized that race, class, and oppression were intertwined. Historians believe that third-wave feminism started earlier than the 1990's; where sexualization of women and pornography were prominent topics (Duggan & Hunter, 2014).
In that time, more and more social constructs were being dissected and societies perceptions of gender, sexuality and heteronormativity were being tested. Whereas the second wave of feminism rejected traditionally feminine things (which were seen as symbols of oppression made by men) such as lipstick and high heels, the third wave feminists readopted those same feminine symbols. The reasoning behind it was that you shouldn't have to choose between being beautiful or smart, you could be both. They A lot of the women in the third wave also refused to identify as "feminists." They found the term to be limited and even exclusionary. Some have even equated the word with misandrists. Third-wave feminism recognizes diversity. It recognizes race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation and gender identity and these differences are celebrated (Rampton,
2015). Feminism has evolved throughout the centuries, and what was once a movement for the privileged women, has turned into a movement for the less privileged. Finding solidarity with other movements, feminism has turned into a movement fighting for equality for all, regardless of gender. These feminists movements have always been met with resistance, for being different and deviating from societal norms; and they will continue to be that way, it's a sign that it's time for change.
“Feminism”, as defined today, is “1: the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes,” and “2: organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.”2 Many critics claim that feminism has been active longer than the word itself has existed.3 The word, “feminist” was not in true use until the late 1800s and early 1900s, but activism for women’s rights was alive and well a...
...ithout discrimination. Often using the media as a way to quickly generate and spread new theories and ideas, Third Wave feminism is morphing into what is known as ‘Pop feminism.’(Page 82) Increasingly more people are getting involved with the feminist movement, and realizing that people of all ethnicities, social backgrounds, and sexualities should be treated with respect.
Women have always been unjustifiably vilified, and opposition to this criticism has been a rather recent development, gaining strides only in the past few decades. Feminism, a movement that is defined as one to establish and to achieve equal opportunities for women in an eclectic breadth of fields, was only coined in 1837 by Utopian Socialist Charles Fourier (“History and Theory of Feminism”). Additionally, some modern historians consider the start of feminism to begin only in the late 19th century when women fought on legal issues such as the absence of women’s suffrage. Nonetheless, Christine de Pizan’s The Book of the City of Ladies, which was completed in 1405, is a literary work that was written in response to male writers whom de Pizan
At this point, the difference perspective in ideology and political action has divided the women movement into some feminism types; socialist, Marxist, radical, liberal and many others. While liberal feminist focus their struggle for equality on civil, economic, and political rights, and education, the feminist socialist and Marxist believe women 's oppression is “the product of the political, social and economic structure within which individuals live.” (Tong, 1998: pp.94). Although some other people suppose that the feminist Marxist and socialist is quiet different, but both of them believe the source of women oppression are capitalism and patriarchy. The Marxist feminism is rooted in 19th century thinker such as Marx and Engels, whether
What is Feminism? How does feminism affect the world we live in today? Was feminism always present in history, and if so why was it such a struggle for women to gain the respect they rightly deserve? Many authors are able to express their feelings and passions about this subject within their writing. When reading literary works, one can sense the different feminist stages depending on the timeframe that the writing takes place. Two such works are ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’ by, Charlotte Gilman and ‘Everyday Use’ by, Alice Walker; the feminist views within each story are very apparent by the era each author lives in. It is evident that a matter of fifty years can change the stance of an author’s writing; in one story the main character is a confident and strong willed young woman looking to voice her feminist views on the world, while the other story’s main character is a woman trying to hold on to her voice in a man’s world which is driving her insane.
For hundreds of years, women are fighting a war of inequality in the male dominated society. Heather Savigny addressed a very important question in her article, what is Feminism? By definition, “Feminism” is a moment started by women to end inequality in all fields of society. Women in the society started this protest to gain rights that were deprived by the males in the society. A feminist can be a normal person who fights against the discrimination on based on sex, age and gender. The feminist movement is very important in our society, to protect women for sexual harassment and violence. To fight this problem, and to find a possible way to end it, many great writers wrote very influential poems and stories. A very few writers who chose to
Minutes after her performance, celebrities started declaring themselves as feminist and what it meant. Beyoncé doing this led the conversation to a social movement that needed to occur. This leads girls of all ages to get involved in the discussion that is happening over women’s rights as a whole. Women of all ages listen to Beyoncé and for this she reaches an audience that most do not. Third -wave feminism focuses on reaching all groups of people that may other-wise be culturally divided. Lorber (2012: 305) says, “It emerged (third-wave feminism) in the 1990’s and it built on multiracial/multiethnic feminism, standpoint feminism, and postmodern feminism.” Beyoncé being a women of color she reaches a community that is otherwise ostracized for not only their sex, but also because of their color. Third -wave feminism focuses on these women. Lorber (2012:306) states, “…African American third-wave feminist want to be like them—strong, active, political, and confrontational.” After reading this section I knew that third-wave feminism was something that I was a part of because it teaches anyone to be resilient not just
Mary Wollstonecraft, who was born during the age of enlightenment in the 18th century, is one of the most prominent feminists in women’s history. Her book A Vindication of the Rights of Woman led her to become one of the first feminists, advocating for the rights of women. Born in a time where women’s education was neither prominent nor important, Wollstonecraft was raised with very little education. However, events in her life influenced her to begin writing, such as the way her father, Edward John Wollstonecraft treated her mother, “into a state of wearied servitude” (Kries,Steven)1. In 1792, she published Vindication on the Rights of Woman, which is one of the most prominent feminist pieces to date. This book is considered a reply to the male dominated society opinion on women’s roles in society. Wollstonecraft states that the lack or neglect in education is the main cause of female misery. Because of the lack of education, (the conduct and manner of women, in fact, evidently prove that their minds are not in a healthy state….strength and usefulness are sacrificed to beauty) 2. Because education is the basis of achieving fundamental rights equal to that of men as Wollstonecraft’s describes, women in today’s modern day society should endorse the feminist movement in order to achieve the same fundamental rights as men; education of one’s potential and rights is vital in achieving self-respect and reviving ones self-image that would enable women to have a dynamic place in society akin to men.
Even after the “first wave of feminism” movement in the early twentieth century, women demanded a change in their roles in American society. Suffragists fought for the passage of The 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote in 1920, but later generations still sought for more. These women, who were the decedents of the original suffragists, would go on to create the “second wave of feminism” throughout the 1960’s and 70’s. This wave would go on to not only gain more equality for women, but shifted gender roles dramatically, in areas including the government, the workforce, and popular culture.
The struggles, as well as achievements, of the female gender have long been documented in history books. From the fight of suffrage in the early years of America to the most recent attempt in obtaining the coveted seat of President of the United States, feminism has prevailed in providing a platform for women to come together in such endeavors. Females have used marches, protests, volunteering in political campaigns, petitioning, gaining political positions, and all other means afforded to them in voicing their views. One of the earliest forms of conveying an opposing view to society that is still apparent today is by means of Literature. Before the outspoken feminist, the idea of a woman speaking out of turn or contradicting society’s view
Feminism is a perspective that views gender as one of the most important bases of the structure and organization of the social world. Feminists argue that in most known societies this structure has granted women lower status and value, more limited access to valuable resources, and less autonomy and opportunity to make choices over their lives than it has granted men. (Sapiro 441)
Mary Wollstonecraft: the Mother of Modern Feminism Mary Wollstonecraft was a self-educated, radical philosopher who wrote about liberation, and empowering women. She had a powerful voice in her views on the rights of women to get good education and career opportunities. She pioneered the debate for women’s rights, inspiring many of the 19th and the 20th century’s writers and philosophers to fight for women’s rights, as well. She did not only criticize men for not giving women their rights, she also put blame on women for being voiceless and subservient. Her life and, the surrounding events of her time, accompanied by the strong will of her, had surely affected the way she chose to live her life, and to form her own philosophies.
Throughout history, women have remained subordinate to men. Subjected to the patriarchal system that favored male perspectives, women struggled against having considerably less freedom, rights, and having the burdens society placed on them that had so ingrained the culture. This is the standpoint the feminists took, and for almost 160 years they have been challenging the “unjust distribution of power in all human relations” starting with the struggle for equality between men and women, and linking that to “struggles for social, racial, political, environmental, and economic justice”(Besel 530 and 531). Feminism, as a complex movement with many different branches, has and will continue to be incredibly influential in changing lives. Feminist political ideology focuses on understanding and changing political philosophies for the betterment of women.
The final decade of the 20th century yielded many changes as a result of the third-wave feminist movement. In 1993, the United Nations enacted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women which called religious and cultural customs an excuse for gender-based violence (Goldscheid, 2008). In the early ‘90s, the Surgeon General referred to domestic violence as a threat to the health of Americans and in a similar move, the American Medical Association created a campaign targeted at ending domestic violence (Eisler, 1992). Taking its first formal stance on the issue, the outcry of the people lead the United States to pass the Violence Against Women Act in 1994.
Throughout the 19th century, feminism played a huge role in society and women’s everyday lifestyle. Women had been living in a very restrictive society, and soon became tired of being told how they could and couldn’t live their lives. Soon, they all realized that they didn’t have to take it anymore, and as a whole, they had enough power to make a change. That is when feminism started to change women’s roles in society. Before, women had little to no rights, while men, on the other hand, had all the rights.