What feminism has to do with gender?
Introduction
Feminism movements developed over time. It depicts two generations that have struggled to bring to light the struggles and challenges that women face in the society that has proved to patriarchal. The old movements were active during the years of 1835 to 1935 while the new wave was realized from the 1960s onwards. In both cases, advocated inclusion of women in decision-making organs in the society. Numerous civil and peace movements with women are noted to contribute to the advocacy of reforms and changes demanded by women. Several amend emends are done in the constitution but fail to reform the gender issue used to deprive women opportunity in the political and decision- making positions within the society. Feminism is a socio-political movement, whose goal is to provide all women full social rights, who are against on grounds of sex, race, orientation, age, ethnicity, social status. In a broad sense, it is the desire for equality of women with men in all spheres of society. In a narrow sense, it is the women's movement, which aims to eliminate discrimination against women. Feminism as a movement emerged in the 18 century; during the first wave of feminism in the 19 century and the first half of the 20 century was a struggle for the achievement of gender equality. Subsequently, during the second wave, the emphasis shifted to combating de facto equality of women with men. Extremist ideas exist as part of feminism particularly active feminism in the late 1960's, (Brennan, 2009).
Research question:
What is it about the label of “feminist” that turns them away?
Thesis:
Why so many women believe in equality but do not consider themselves feminist?
Analysis
Part I: Who Did What, When and Where
Among the activists of the time, Sophie de Condorcet, for the first time it forward equality requirements for women during the War of Independence in the United States (1775 - 1783). First American feminist believe Abigail Smith Adams (1744 - 1818). She entered the history of feminism because of its famous phrase: "We will not obey the law, in making that we were not involved, and the government, which does not represent our interests" (1776). In France, the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789 was the release of the first magazine devoted to women's struggle for equality; women are having a revolutionary clubs whose members are involved in the political struggle. However, the French Constitution of 1791 denied women suffrage (Williams, 2010). In the same year, the National Assembly was presented the Declaration of women's rights and citizen prepared Olympe de Gouges modeled on the Declaration of the Rights of Man in 1789 , which demanded recognition of the full social and political equality of women (Brennan, 2009).
At the same time established the first women's political organization "Women's Society - of Republican revolutionary", but in 1793 the activities of the society has been banned by the Convention, and was soon sent to the guillotine, and the author of the Declaration of Olympe de Gouges. She said the words: "If a woman is worthy to ascend the scaffold, it is worthy to enter and to Parliament." In 1795, France banned women to appear in public and political meetings, and in 1804, the Emperor Napoleon issued a decree declaring that the woman does not have any civil rights and is under the care of a man. In England, Mary Wollstonecraft (1759 - 1797) put the demand for equal rights for women forward in his book “Protecting the rights of women "(1792). This work is one of the few works that have appeared up to the 19 century, which can be among the feminist projects.
Often very personal problems of women are raised to the rank of public interest; such as the failure of one man is easily projected onto all men. Domestic violence is strongly associated with the image of a man, with the exception that as the aggressor may be a woman. Increase in violence against women, which claim feminists says more about the expansion of the concept of "sexual assault", which now fall under the psychological pressure, verbal threats of force, and not only the physical effects. This explains the large gap between the figures provided by women's organizations ("every other woman in America raped or attempted to rape"), and police data on the number of applications (Williams, 2010). Despite the fact that declarative feminism often defines itself as a movement for equality, in fact, equality feminists is profitable only in a few cases. Sexual prejudices are exploited by them wherever they please ("Women are more sensitive") and swept aside when unprofitable ("women are less intelligent than men") (Brennan, 2009).
The principle of double standards demonstrates deal Lorena Bobbitt, cut off sleeping drunken husband penis, but then completely justified. The case was held under the enormous pressure of feminist organizations. Lawyers managed to convince the judges that the woman acted in the heat of passion (temporary insanity), although the arrest she stated that crimes committed because of "sexual dissatisfaction”. Subject to care savored in the media, Bobby invited to the Oprah Winfrey Show, and the case was an extraordinary issue of the "American Justice" (American Justice) under the heading Lorena Bobbitt: Women and Violence (Cook & Wilcox, 2014).
Modern feminism is irrational and anti-male antics of some representatives of the movement. Part of radical feminists opposes the participation of fathers in raising children, some even calling for the destruction of men. Some feminists suggest that the man is a young evolutionary branch, some weak and almost dead-end, and for the women of the central evolutionary, developing part (Brennan, 2009).
Radical feminism course the now pose the primary goal is not only to eliminate inequality between the sexes, but also proof of the superiority and inferiority of femininity men calling for matriarchy, born this way separatism, as well as the war on heterosexuality, polarizes the floors and very repel both men and women (Williams, 2010). As a result, only about 30% of women even in America consider themselves feminists In Russia, the word "feminism" has become almost a dirty (Brennan, 2009). In the 90, in the United States and Britain appeared a whole generation of women-minded critical of the ruling radical feminism, with its postulate of "women victims" and "aggressive" to her man, that marked the arrival of the era of post-feminism (Brennan, 2009).
It should also be noted that American feminism, with its characteristic culture of his separation of the sexes and aggressive radicalism, barely exported to other countries, and it should not be taken as an image of the future. In Europe, the activity of women's organizations takes less violent; it manages to combine the traditional norms of behavior and ideals of equality. Do not have a real impact on the United States are also issues "battle of the sexes" and Political correctness (Cook & Wilcox, 2014). Feminism adverse effect on the birth rate in the countries that have come under his influence; that is why is said, that children are visible manifestation of phallic power, ways to demonstrate that in the era of feminism and political correctness actively repressed, which significantly increased the number of divorces. In addition, advocated "battle of the sexes" there is no place to such a concept as love, which served as a relic of the patriarchal culture.
American philosopher, psychologist and futurist Robert Anton Wilson in his "Androphobia" states that if in some feminist writings to replace the words "man" and "woman" on, respectively, "black" and "white" as a result of these works will be sound like a racist. American journalist Robert Schiffer believes that talking about gender equality, feminists of today, however, are promoting an ideology in the center of which stands a woman. He writes about the etymology and symbolism of modern feminism, arguing that feminists always pay attention to only those issues that relate to women (Williams, 2010). The presentation of the material makes the followers of this ideology see the world only through the lens of women's issues, thereby distorting the perception of the world and producing persistent prejudices. In this point of view, it supports the whole group of people. This group of critics said about the need for and the transition to a new term used to describe neutral with respect to the movement of the floor "egalitarianism" (Cook & Wilcox, 2014). This time could replace the term "feminism" when became almost universal in Western countries the belief that men and women have equal rights and opportunities.
In accordance with Article 74 of the Criminal Executive Code of women enjoy softer detention conditions; they cannot be as a punishment of imprisonment in strict and special regimes. Also sharply drawn attention to the fact that the legislation of many countries, the use of the death penalty is allowed only to men what is included in clear contradiction with the concept of gender equality and is exclusive and non-trivial form of discrimination of men (Snyder-Hall, 2010). Contemporary feminism is characterized by one-sided, partial view of things when you do not notice the obvious facts, uncomfortable feminism and minor events, reaching his hand swell to enormous size (Cook & Wilcox, 2014).
Feminism is nothing more than some totalitarianism. In particular, they say that many young women in the feminist groups combine the two very dangerous things: the zeal with incorrect information (Bardzell, 2011). They are that every fourth one is a victim of rape, and she earns only slightly more than half of the male earnings that they suffer a tremendous loss of self-esteem, and many others. However, in fact, it all - solid myths grotesque exaggeration and now we need to get resolutely rid of this kind of totalitarian female mentality (Brennan, 2009).
Many opponents of feminism opposed to the feminist movement because they considered it the cause of the destruction of the traditional way of life and destruction of familiar social and gender roles traditionally prescribed to men and women, depending on their gender (Snyder-Hall, 2010). In particular, the American lawyer specializing in the protection of the rights of men, said that between men and women, there are a number of natural differences, and that all of society benefits from their recognition. Opponents of feminism also believe that children develop harmoniously if they are brought up in a family with strong traditional gender roles - masculine and feminine, respectively - the father and mother (Cook & Wilcox, 2014). Divorce, single-parent families or families with homosexual partners are seen as more significant threat to the development of the child, rather than living in an intact family with frequent conflicts between the parents, or those where both parents are poor role models. Required commitment to such a model family sometimes criticized as unnecessary and idealized (Cook & Wilcox, 2014).
Voices of critics claim that the social change and legislative reforms have gone too far, and now they have a negative impact on family men with children. For example, American writers argues that the female body is a woman's business that hearings about custody rights of fathers clearly infringed, as a preference for care of children in most cases is given to mothers, rather than fathers (Cook & Wilcox, 2014). In this regard, the organization began to form, the purpose of which was the struggle for the rights of fathers (Williams, 2010).
There is also a group of so-called paleo-conservatives, including George Gilder (George Gilder) and Patrick Buchanan; they believe that feminism has created a society that is fundamentally flawed and it has no future and eventually destroys itself (Brennan, 2009). This group of opponents of feminism argues that in countries where feminism has gone beyond all figures in the birth rate have been steadily declining, and the rate of emigration from such countries the highest. In US, "Liberal" religious groups related to feminism favorably noted decline in the growth of the parish from both converts and those who grew up in this religious environment. Currently in the United States, Islam is rapidly increasing the number of its supporters while this religion refers to feminism with a pronounced aversion.
Part 2: What Are The Various Ideas About Feminism? Where Are These Ideas Produced And Executed?
Therigatha is ne of the first texts contains statements about the equality of women and men in the context of religious achievements, the part of the Buddhist canon. Start of European feminism is traditionally dated to the end of the 18th century and beginning of 19th century, when the notion that a woman takes the oppressed position in society, in the center of which stands a man, was getting more widespread. The intellectuals of the West prepared the emergence of feminism as a theory; however, Locke, Rousseau, and Mill gave the liberal philosophy and the theory of human rights. In addition, Sigmund Freud, Wilhelm Reich, Margaret Mead, Herbert Marcuse and Theodor Adorno gave the other socialist theories on the consideration of sexuality and human sexual behavior in the social and political context. However, the feminist thought was greatly influenced by the ideology of the youth protest, such as, the struggle of blacks for civil rights, the utopia of the counterculture, the idea of the sexual revolution. Feminist literature originated in the United States and then in the UK and France. It was originally journalistic and political; however, soon the "female" problems become the subject of academic research across a range of fields of knowledge, anthropology, ethnology, sociology, psychology, philosophy, and political science (Brennan, 2009).
Feminists and scientists were isolated in the history of women's movement in three "waves". "First Wave" refers mainly to the suffragist movement 19-th and the beginning of 20th century, in which the key issue was the right to vote for women. Under the "second wave" refers to the ideas and actions related to the women's liberation movement, which began to develop in the 1960s and advocate for legal and social equality for women and men. "Third Wave" is a continuation of the "second wave" and in response to its failure. The emergence of the "third wave" refers to the 1990s (Suzack, 2010). Feminism includes a plurality of directions and trends, causing a mixed reaction in the community. Feminist thought now is not formed into a coherent, unified theory. Interpretation of the term depends on the economic, theoretical, political, social and other contexts. Negative assessment of the most shocking violation of women rights causes extreme western women's organizations.
Part 3: What Is Your Personal Take On Feminism? Are You For It, Against It? Why?
I personally believe that, in modern civilized society, women do not have a place to feel natural and relaxed; in fact, they are forced to work along with the family and household responsibility; however, the result is that they are exhausted and irritated. They are engage in international and domestic problems; they do not entertain any illusions, and take matters into their hands. The modern woman has different autonomy and independence; when the fair sex inspires them, they are strong and capable to cope with everything. They just need to be independent from men. Men are afraid of healthy women, because women may perform well without men, and men do not like feminism because they humiliate women’s self-esteem. Men do not tend to understand that women's entrepreneurial spirit came not because woman wanted; in fact, it is but because she had no other choice. Women want equality, but cannot realize their ideas about themselves in the world due to lack of strength, and the men do not know what is and where it should aspire. Therefore, women and a men will always need each other; however, a little weakness and subconscious desire to change the world and encourage women to change men. In men, this little whim causes a feeling of fear, because they are satisfied with the current state of affairs.
A woman's place at home with the children, and in general, is necessary for every way to please her husband, who is the personification of power and strength. On the other hand, world is full of those who believe that women and men are equal partners in life and every underscore the weakness of women is almost the most terrible insult. Nevertheless, the fact remains fact for many feminists, and despite their radical views on gender equality, they eventually marry. In addition, to live with her husband it is sometimes very difficult for a woman because such a woman look at the family and relationships, and a representative of the stronger sex.
I believe, it is very difficult to staunch feminist's break or sow panic in them from life's setbacks. Besides extensive enough group of men who want a wife one wife or partner. Feminists often achieve great career success and are paid a very good salary; however, no doubt, that many men somehow believe that their wives cannot get more than them, but in difficult times just such a spouse can save the family from falling living standards.
Feminists are not afraid to take their own responsibility; if there was no man and a woman were to make an important decision, the "ordinary woman" will search for her husband to ask for advice, but a feminist does everything herself, and will not disturb anyone. However, there are significant disadvantages, such as many men do not believe feminists, and recognize them as only the rich, famous and successful. In this case, when such a feminist marries the average person, he is not to be envied because, in the best case, the wife will try to be faithful. If a man fails to take the initiative in their hands immediately, the feminist wife will not take him seriously and it can adversely affect the marital relationship. If the wife is a feminist, her husband hardly wait for her to be normal female; for example, he may not wait to have a delicious dinner or something else and this way a feminist cannot be happily married, because not every representative of the stronger sex agree to be henpecked largely and give way its second half. Therefore, in order to get along with her husband, women had to be to soften and in her earlier radical positions and views on the relationship between husband and wife.
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