Introduction
Marlene LeGates is the author of a book called “Making Waves: A History of Feminism in Western Society.” The book was written in the year 1996 and was published by the Copp Clark Press. LeGates has written two other books as well. In 1970, she wrote “The Knights and the State in Sixteenth-Century Germany.” In the year 2012, she wrote the book, “In Their Time: A History of Feminism in Western Society.” LeGates has spent her life pursuing her teaching career. However, a majority of her career was spent teaching history and women’s studies at Capilano College, which has currently been converted to a university. She has a BA from Washington University and an MA and Ph.D. from Yale University. After her studies, she began teaching at the California State University, after which she moved to Vancouver to teach UBC, SFU, and then went to Capilano College.
Summary
The book has placed its focus on the history of feminisms in the western culture. Feminism refers to a social movement that has a common goal. Feminism advocates that both men and women should have equal rights in the world. The article talks about the origin of feminism in the western society. The Society of the West, feminism was rampant because the nations that existed in this region were among the first countries in the world to become developed nations (LeGates, 102). The book seeks to explain the importance of the social rights of women and the need by which they should be treated equally to men. At the early time, men were given priority by employment opportunities. Women were considered to be slaves. However, feminism changed this notion over the years until the world begun viewing women in the same capacity as men. Feminism began from the western society and gradually progressed to the rest of the world.
The comprehensive evaluation made in this book is about the contemporary development, feminism in the western society. The western countries under focus include Canada, Europe, America, Great Britain, and Latin America. The author has examined the various conflicts that existed during the early times between different feminisms in the society. Different feminists existed within the different countries. However, the author did good justice by examining the topic beyond the existing feminisms that existed. These feminist cultures lived in the western world. The author is of the opinion that feminism is a positive movement in the world. However, feminism should be distinguished from other forms of protest. Feminism is a protest that only advocates for the equal rights of women. The protests help women to raise their voices and have their opinions heard by the rest of the world.
The book has failed to talk about the comparison of feminism in the western societies with other societies in the east. Also, it does not talk about how feminism has been fuelled through the generations. The work written by LeGates will help future generations to understand the development of feminism (LeGates, 150). Feminism has had a significant impact in the future and has enabled more women within the society to become more powerful. Cultures have now understood how female powers came into existence. Furthermore, modern generations have been able to understand the concepts of feminism, as have been written by the author of this book. The book has contributed various comparisons between the different feminism cultures that existed in the western society. The feminism cultures had a role to play within every community (Freeland, 385). Also, the book explains further about the conflicts that existed within these different communities and the effects they had. The book explains about the trends that were adopted in feminism. The impact that has been made by this book will have a significant effect on the community. A majority of the people did not understand the relationship between men and women in the past. New generations often thought that the current situation has what has always been the case even in the past. The author seeks to promote the knowledge about feminisms across the different existing cultures. Based on the arguments that are displayed in the book, it indicates that she is advocating for feminists and supports it. She promotes equality between all human beings.
Conclusion
This book would be recommended to any reader who seeks to acquire some historical knowledge about feminism. The book talks about feminism in extreme details and explains where it originated from and how it has evolved over the years. The book taught me about the various processes that are involved in feminism groups. I also learned about the benefits and functions of feminism groups and how they have been managed through the years. The book has talked about the interaction of different feminist groups and the conflicts that have arisen over time. This would be vital information for people who are not aware of the functions of feminist groups that have been in existence. Readers of the book would be in a position to understand the resolutions that have been made by the groups and how they were handled.
Works Cited
Freeland, Cynthia A. “Feminism and Ideology in Ancient Philosophy”. Apeiron: A Journal for Ancient Philosophy and Science 33.4 (2000): 365–406. Academic Printing and Publishing. 2000. Print.
LeGates, Marlene. Making Waves: A History of Feminism in Western Society. Copp Clark. 1996. Print.
