What is Feminism?
Dan’s got women on his mind… and he’s got some philosophical help.
The definition of feminism varies depending on the eye of the beholder. For example, in the eye of a feminist it is a way of trying to find equality or even control in a society that has for so long, been controlled by men. Views and opinions vary over the spectrum of gender, socio economic background and age.
One of the major turning points in the growth of feminism was the women’s suffragette movement around World War I. Thanks to this group’s efforts, women can now vote and are more equal in society; before then, it was only men who could vote. As well as getting the vote, women also benefited from both the first and second world war (if that is possible): as the men were off fighting, the women had to take on the role of working where the men would have before. This showed that women COULD do what the men do and work just as well, if not better.
However, when the men came back, women were encouraged to go back to being good mothers and competing with their neighbours to see who has the best kept house. This idea is called the feminine-mystique. Even today this idea exists, just in a more commercialist way; magazines like Cosmopolitan and Vogue will frequently show ways of being the best ‘woman’ possible by purchasing this t-shirt and that bag and this pair shoes or by going on this holiday. Obviously any suggested item to improve social standard is in no way influenced by whoever is paying them to advertise. It is clearly just an unbiased opinion given by the fine journalists at these fine magazines.
Most people would agree that feminism over the last hundred years has been a good thing, even if they only agree with economics in mind; if there had been no feminism then there would be fewer people in work and as a result there would be less spending which would mean Gross Domestic Product would be down considerably. If there had been no feminism then women would still be serving men and society would have progressed very little since the days of gas lamps and corporal punishment. However some now feel that men are being hard done by as there are very few positive representations of the male gender. Role models such as David Beckham are apparently intellectually challenged and people like Robbie Williams seem to convey that men get their penis out every five minutes and use it to scare girls. Although the media is controlled mainly by men, there is a definite feeling that for a man to be conveyed in a positive light will result in insulting women, although most women won’t care as they want equality and can see that for them to be equal, men must be as well. The negative representation of men is not helped by some feminists who see the problem of inequality as too severe. An economist may say that, ‘ok the gap in wages between men and women is unacceptable, but it is decreasing and eventually it will be equal.’
Also many feminists may have shot themselves in the foot as by being so ridiculous and hyperbolising (coined) everything, they have lost all credibility and their arguments and views no longer have any place in society.
As the philosopher David Sharman said:
‘I feel that men and women should of course be treated as equals but there are certain parts of life, i.e. certain occupations, which are better suited to one gender or the other. That’s not to say that the opposite gender to what is traditionally accepted in those area should not attempt role reversal but it is necessary to also point out biological differences when such matters are in concern.’
In conclusion I would say that feminism is a movement that has been instrumental in the fight for equality but has now lost its way and its purpose. In the feminist drive for equal rights, they have also lost out as they still have to do many of the jobs that they did before e.g. cleaning, washing, looking after the kids et cetera. This is itself unfair but at the same time the modern man is becoming more and more feminine so eventually (I believe) some sort of equality will be reached, it’s just a question of when…
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This was actually just another piece of homework that I have decided to share, a simple view/history of feminism!Hence the reason it is simple and doesn’t show any signs of in depth reserach, also forgot the fact that feminism is fundementally flawed in teh fact it strives for equality by treating each gender seperate. It even has a quote from a great philosopher!!! What more do you want?
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Coming next week in RS Magazine, Dave Sharman presents: Twenty Questions on Peter the Great of Russia, Answered!
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I’m not too sure that any woman would appreciate a man (!) defining her view on feminism. Maybe that’s the issue - feminism incorporates many different views and so can’t be defined in that patriarchal way..?