Introduction
Nowadays, the rise of women empowerment has provided a huge lift towards the promotion of gender equality and independence. For the past several decades, men are always considered as more dominant human beings. They hold political power, provide the basic necessities for the family, and are able to handle certain issues at work with ease and confidence. They are even much stronger and tougher than women in terms of their physical attributes. Nonetheless, the mark of their liberation and equal human rights has provided each and every woman a glimpse on how to act and be equally related with men. This women’s rights movement paved the way for the present society to view each and every individual a chance to do anything, regardless of what your gender is being portrayed.
The Origin of Women’s Liberation Movement
The birth of the second feminist movement during 1960s to 1980s is due to the failed attempt of feminism on the early 1920s. During those years, women’s power weakened and many women are forced to become slaves of men. Many women were tortured and even became sex slaves of those powerful men. Most women at that time felt that there is nothing that they can do against discrimination and slavery. These particular historical events provided darkness and obscurity with regards to women’s role in the society.
However, based from his article, Freeman (n.d.) mentioned that the women’s very nature of struggling for their rights and independence did not die for the next years. Every woman at that time never gave up of establishing a feminist movement that would gratify women’s rights and privileges in the society. Seemingly, the first notable event that urged every women to establish a second feminist movement was during the foundation of the Commission of Status of Women led by President Kennedy of the United States in 1961. This institution created several documents and reports claiming the inferiority of women in the current social status. These documents triggered the formation of other commissions and advisory councils that would serve women’s rights and injustices in the society. At this time frame, many women seek for independence and equality. The establishment of the National Organization of Women (NOW) in 1966 created more coalitions and alliances supporting women’s liberation and human rights. The formation of Professional Women’s Caucus (PWC), Federally Employed Women (FEW), and Women’s Equity Action League (WEAL) from 1960s to early 1970s provided the interests for women rights, job opportunities, as well as their complaints against abuse. Seemingly, the rise of women’s power and influence in many societies are already evident during which women also enjoy the same rights as that of men do.
Women’s supremacy and influence also flourished in most cities in the United States. For instance, the New York Radical Women (NYRW) is a small group of women with leadership experience that seek for equal rights for both men and women of the society (Hanisch, 2001). The NYRW is considered as one of the earliest independent women’s liberation alliance that was formed in the United States. Several notable events were also related to the growth of NYRW, including their participation in women’s peace march in Washington as an act against the occurrence of Vietnam War as well as their involvement in Jeanette Rankin Brigade Action in 1968. Based from the group’s ideology, those women who have the strength and power to speak out their insights and feelings regarding the injustices of the society as well as their goal of creating women’s liberation party, are women who have their hearts intended for the goodness of the country (Hanisch, 2001). Hence, every women are called for not only to serve the men of the society, but rather to serve the country as well. These particular events were very popular in such a way that women’s rights and gender equality were now being distinguished by the society.
Women’s Liberation Movement: Its Goals and Objectives
One obvious goal of women’s liberation party is to protect the women’s rights and promote equality and justice in the society. Between the periods of 1960s to 1980s, several coalitions all over the world were formed in order to protect women’s rights against oppression and prejudices. The second wave of women’s liberation movement also created women leaders who were active participants of social justice and human welfare campaigns. It was also during the 1960s that they initiated programs for better housing, consumer rights, union representations, and the formation of women health care for their benefits (Baxandall & Gordon, 2012).
Figure 1. Women’s Liberation Movement promoting gender equality for everyone.
The creation of women’s liberation movement also strengthened the women’s workforce in the society. According to Baxandall & Gordon (2012), the establishment of National Organization for Women (NOW) is centered on equal rights for men and women as well as providing them with job opportunities. They are also concentrated on women issues, particularly on gender issues in labor and employment as well as on political affairs and services for the society. Several women also entered in the world of politics and hold relevant positions in the government, much the same way that men enjoyed for hundreds of years already. The right to suffrage was also given to all women and encourage everyone to be involved and participate in political matters. Overall, the society slowly recognizes the immense capabilities and skills of women not only to do things that men ought to do, but also to engage in serious responsibilities for the society such as politics and employment. At this time frame, the beginning of equality and justice slowly enters upon the context of human rights and more women became more realistic about the goals and objectives of the feminist movement.
Conflicts on Women’s Liberation Movement
The second women’s liberation movement from 1960s to 1980s is considered as one of the largest social movement in the history of the United States. It was a very successful movement that established a strong foundation for women’s rights and sexual equality in the workplace. However, the success of every alliance for women empowerment will never be as prominent if there is no conflict that occurred towards the foundation of women’s rights.
Not every nation during this period enjoy women’s rights and justice. Since majority of the coalitions are situated in the United States, not every nation is being influenced by their goals and objectives. At times, there are still cases of poverty, equality, violence, and alienation in different places in the world. According to Motta, Fominaya, Eschle, & Cox (2011), demands have been raised with regards to women’s role in their struggle for neoliberalism in the United States. The range of neoliberalism exceeds from free market competition in such a way as how can they can handle this kind of governance. It is already a fact that women at this era are new to political governance. Hence, as the U.S. economy continued to grow and develop, so as the responsibilities of the leaders of the state. The question now lies on the capability of women to handle these kinds of responsibilities. Likewise, there is a need for remodeling and reconstruction of feminist theories and principles that shall provide better critical analysis of the past, present, and future endeavors of the nation. It is indeed an important aspect to understand the principles involved in the nation’s public service and governance.
Furthermore, not all individuals support the liberation movement of women. There were several activist communities involving trade unions and globalization that considered such movement as a marginalized action towards promoting the nation’s struggle (Motta, Fominaya, Eschle, & Cox, 2011). They believed that gender issue has nothing to do with the nation’s struggle for progress. Instead, everything struggles for social change, whether you promote women’s movement, or by means of patriarchal terms. Hence, their principle regarding the nation’s growth and development is not rooted mainly on one’s gender and sexual preference, but rather their capabilities as effective leaders of the state.
The mark of feminism in the United Sates has also been defined by two major events in their 1973 history: the legalization of abortion in all the 50 states of America, and STOP ERA’s objective of eliminating the Equal Rights Amendment (Paglia, 2010). A lot of issues have been raised regarding the government’s decision to legalize abortion in many cities in the United States, most of the concerns are to those who belonged in a conservative race. Seemingly, abortion violates the women’s reproductive rights, and in no way it can be approved by all the people. This event distorted and weakened the powers of feminism in the United States.
The Future of the Women’s Liberation Movement
The growth of the second feminist movement has provided a lot of change for the women of today’s generation. According to Gianoulis (2004), women of today seek for freedom and independence. They wanted to enjoy life as much as they wanted, without any distractions about their rights and obligations. They demand for respect and individual identity for everyone. They also started constructing themselves with the concepts of politics, education, entertainment, and industrial opportunities in the workplace. All they wanted is their free will to choose what is best for them, without affecting other’s opinion nor comments about their lives. As such, government democracy has flourished the idea of freedom and independence for everyone.
Seemingly, Evans (2015) was worried about the future of the liberation movement with regards to those of the non-white and lower classes of women. She noted that the movement connotes a form of anti-sex, anti-motherhood, and lack policies for labor and gender discrimination. Accordingly, the mainstream of the liberation movement was focused on the whites and the middle classes. While many white women enjoy their rights freely and independently, there are lots of black women who are still suffering from gender discrimination. Many black Americans are still being oppressed by the whites. Much of the delight of everyone who wishes for equality and justice for both men and women of the society, nothing good is being mandated to those of the lower class of the society. They are still being discriminated and greatly suffer from violence. This is not what the movement wishes for in our future. What the liberation wants is to create a unifying body that would cater the interests of all, not just for women, but for any gender being recognized by the society.
The overall success of the Women’s Liberation movement does not rely only on its goals and objectives. Everyone is part of its success. But, as I have evaluated the present condition of the society, success seemed to be impossible to achieve as of the moment. If there is totally no oppression, injustices, and gender and racial discrimination, then the movement is nothing but a paradigm for social change. In my opinion, discrimination will continue to flourish until such time comes that there is respect and honor for everyone. Injustices will continue to flourish until such time that there are no more individuals who are thirsty for power and fame. Seemingly, oppression will continue to flourish until such time that we value life and human existence.
Conclusion
Being able to understand the true purpose behind the women’s liberation movement, I can say that the world is really unfair. Yes, the main objective of this liberation is to promote equality and justice, but more than that, there are still numerous cases of inequality and oppression in different parts of the world. There are still several incidents of gender discrimination in the labor workplace and several issues against women empowerment and violation of human rights. There are still women who do not enjoy their freedom and independence. Am I satisfied with how this women’s liberation movement end? Definitely yes. I believed that this movement is a success because of how women enjoy their rights. But, am I satisfied with the present condition of the society? Definitely no. There are several reasons that I wanted to point out why I am dissatisfied with the current status of my society.
First, the present society is full of corruption and hunger for power and governance. Many political leaders run for a government position for their own selfish interests. Furthermore, I am very disappointed with how the present society views the rights of women. It is a fact that men, in general, are stronger and tougher than women. However, such idea should not provide any limitations as to how women should act and respond within their capabilities. Many women are forced to accomplish lighter tasks and responsibilities because the society still believed that they do not have the capability to do such things. More than these important aspects on gender discrimination on labor force, the society is still not into human rights equality and justice. As what I have mentioned earlier, these kinds of injustices and discrimination will continue except for one thing: major social transformation and political change. I believed that we can still do something about this issue. Hence, everyone is invited to make an influence for the society’s change and transformation for a better world without any oppression and injustice.
References
Baxandall, R. & L. Gordon. (2002). Chapter 24: Second-Wave Feminism. 414-430. A Companion to American Women’s History.
Evans, S. M. (2015). Women’s Liberation: Seeing the Revolution Clearly. 138-149. Feminist Studies, 41(1).
Freeman, J. (n.d.). The Women’s Liberation Movement: It’s Origins, Structures, and Ideals. Retrieved 11 April 2016. <http://library.duke.edu/digitalcollections/wlmpc_wlmms01013/>
Gianoulis, T. (2004). Women’s Liberation Movement. Retrieved 11 April 2016. <http://www.glbtqarchive.com/ssh/womens_liberation_movement_S.pdf>
Hanisch, C. (2001). Struggles over Leadership in the Women’s Liberation Movement. 1-12. Leadership & Social Movements.
Motta, S., Fominaya, C. F., Eschle, C., & L. Cox. (2011). Feminism, Wwomen’s Movements and Women in Movement. 1-32. Interface, 3(2).
Paglia, C. (2010). Feminism Past and Present: Ideology, Action, and Reform. Retrieved 11 April 2016. <http://www.bu.edu/arion/files/2010/03/Feminism-Paglia1.pdf>
