The wave of feminism was founded on the assumption that women suffer certain injustices since they are of the female gender. Feminists pressure on the importance of gender divisions within the society while at the same time illustrating how these divisions work to the disadvantage of women. Social inequalities stem from gender divisions and laws that oppress women. Presently social inequalities that can be identified include male dominance, unequal treatment of women, assumptions about women, emotional work and economic dependence (Bryant, par 1 and 2). Although united with the common goal of concern for women welfare and sexual justice, there is a wide range of feminist views.
Difference feminism founded by Carol Gilligan emphasizes that the genuine differences between men and women should not be considered as equal despite the existing equal moral status of the sexes as persons (Stone, 192). On the issue of women in the military, difference feminists advocate that women should be given duties that suit them as women. Some duties require intense strength that can only be performed by men. Radical feminism as the name suggests call for the radical reordering of the society by opposing the standard male supremacy as hypothesized by patriarchy leading to division of gender roles and oppression of women. Women in the military can therefore be given positions of high ranks because they can also be a symbol of authority. Equity feminism was proposed by Christina Hoff and is concerned with equal treatment and rights. These feminists have the support of critics following the belief that people support equal rights and treatment for everyone. Women in the military should not receive lean punishments just because they are women. Women should also get adequate respect from the public just like their male counterparts. Classical feminism is concerned with ensuring freedom for all citizens based on their status as self owners. Their role is to abolish laws that limit women’s liberty as well as those that grant them special privileges. In the law enforcement sector, women can also join the military with the chance to have a family. After all, it is an individual’s choice to pursue professions they desire.
Work cited
Bryant, Lee. History Learning Site: Feminism.2013. Retrieved from http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/feminism.htm on 28/09/2013.
Stone, Alison. An Introduction to Feminist Philosophy. Cambridge: Polity, 2007. Print.
