There have been many studies on the relationship between feminist and conformity to masculinity. Being born a male or female in a society is more beyond a mere biological fact. The Social setup usually redefines, revalue and represent the biological sexes. There are various normal associated with being born a woman or a man. According to an American Anthropologist, Gender is defined as a set of arrangements by which the society has transformed biological sexuality into a reflection of human activity. The society expects that individuals meet the transformed sexual needs. According to Nancy Fraser in her theory on status, stated that there is a need for equal participation to public decisions and full citizenship to all citizens. This theory entails recognition of marginalized groups in the society and redistribution of public resources to incorporate such groups. The theory shows the need for the women to rise and fight for their position and rights in the society.
Women are creations that are usually controlled by masculine gaze, which is a concept that gives rise to norms and idealizations that strongly influence the behaviour of women. Women in are our societies lack power to neither challenge nor influence the sexuality view that men have against them. Femininity is an achievement of enacting the received gender norms and practices. Women are restricted in their manner of movements; those who violate the norms are viewed as a “loose women”. For example at a bus station, women cannot sit freely like their male counterpart. They have to sit with their arms close to their body and legs closed together while the men can comfortably sit freely in any manner that they want to.
In the 19th century in Poland, the government did not support the women with the problems they were facing. The government assumed that they already had enough problems to take care of other than listening to the women. Men did not show any respect towards their men. It was distressing that the Polish women could not fight such beliefs and gain their freedom. They chose to continue being submissive to their men and the society.
In the 20th Century, the world has witnessed many changes through movements and campaigns as the women try to match the men. Their movements and campaigns advocates for equal rights in the fields of occupation, leadership and politics. Femininity has propelled women to venture into the fields that had in the past been dominated by the men. A Feminist would like to a relationship where a man is not conformed to social masculine norms. Those social norms include violence against women, playboy, self-reliance and power over women. These have transformed the social and traditional structure that had limited their duties for a long period. These have brought about changes in the economic circumstances and lifestyle surrounding the women. As a result of gaining an opportunity to study and take charge of their lives, women can now be given a chance to express their views.
In the today’s world, many women have come as the main breadwinners to their families. In a research by Pew Research Center, it was found out that 40% of breadwinners in America are women.The research shows that the social and traditional norms on expectations from a woman are slowly breaking down. The effect of the feminist movement and sexual revolution is already witnessed in the World. There are challenges in marriages and motherhood although the many women hold that motherhood still remains their dream. The society is not ready to accept these changes and now view the career women as uninterested in motherhood or marriage.
With a BEM sex Role inventory ratings of 48.83 on masculinity, 65.833 on femininity and 66.667 on androgynous, there is still a need for reviewing social stand on woman and femininity. Men ought to view the feminist movements as a way in which women intend to improve their social status. All the number of women in the leadership positions have increased dramatically compared to 19th century but, this represents a small portion of women. There are still many women who still undergo male chauvinism especially in the Third world countries. Such women lack opportunity to access quality education and economic empowerment. Men have to let go their masculinity norms and grant the women their equal rights in leadership and empowerment. Many men view femininity movements and campaigns as a fight against the social norms and practices.
A BEM rating of 65.833 on femininity supports empowerment of women socially, economically and politically. Women should be included in major decisions that are made in the society. First, this should be done do give them their constitution rights and secondly because such decisions always influence their existence in the society. My BEM rating of 66.667 on androgynous reflects on the efforts for a balance in opportunities between masculinity and femininity. As pointed in the report, for a long time women have fought to be granted equal rights like men. The society has over time reviewed its stands to the roles and occupations of women in the society and its slowly softening to accommodate feminist.
In conclusion, there have been dramatic changes in the way the society perceive women. Although there have been a lot of achievements through feminist campaigns, more still need to be done for the women to enjoy equal rights as the men do.
References
Chrisler, J. (2005). Womanhood is not as easy as it seems :Femininity requires both achievement and restraint. Retrieved from http://media.proquest.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/media/csa/psycarticles-set-c/MEN/14/men_14_2_117.pdf.pdf?hl=&cit%3Aauth=Chrisler%2C+Joan+C.&cit%3Atitle=Womanhood+is+not+as+easy+as+it+seems%3A+Femininity+requires+both+achievement+and+restraint.&cit%3Apub=Ps
Jsonline, n. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/slicing-breadwinner-moms-headlines-b9966333z1-218127371.html
Magazine, T. (2013). Retrieved from http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FemininityTropes
