Essay on Feminism and Modern Feminist Theory - 1068 Words

Feminism is a body of social theory and political movement primarily based on and motivated by the experiences of women. While generally providing a critique of social relations, many proponents of feminism also focus on analyzing gender inequality and the promotion of womens rights, interests, and issues. Feminist theory aims to understand the nature of gender inequality and focuses on gender politics, power relations and sexuality. Feminist political activism campaigns on issues such as reproductive rights, domestic violence, maternity leave, equal pay, sexual harassment, discrimination and sexual violence. Themes explored in feminism include discrimination, stereotyping, objectification, sexual objectification, oppression and†¦show more content†¦Some find that the prioritization of oppression and the universalization of the idea of Woman, which was part of traditional Radical feminist thinking, too generic, and that women in other countries would never experience the same experience of being woman than women in Western countries did. Some radical feminists advocate separatism—a complete separation of male and female in society and culture—while others question not only the relationship between men and women, but the very meaning of man and woman as well. Some argue that gender roles, gender identity, and sexuality are themselves social constructs. For these feminists, feminism is a primary means to human liberation. Liberal feminism is a form of feminism that argues that equality for women can be achieved through legal means and social reform, and that men as a group need not be challenged. Liberal feminism is a somewhat conservative form of feminism by today’s standards, although it is rooted classically in liberalism. Liberal feminism leans towards an equality of sameness with men (not a difference feminism). Liberal feminism conceives of politics in individualistic terms and looks to reform present liberal practices in society, rather than advocating for a wholesale revolutionary change. Feminist writers associated with this tradition are amongst others Mary Wollstonecraft, John Stuart Mill and second wave feminist BettyShow MoreRelatedFeminism And Its Impact On Women1223 Words   |  5 Pages Feminism by definition is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. So feminism has a dictionary definition, but when it comes to feminists and feminism there are so many different personal definitions that people and groups hold. Feminism has been around for quite a while. There is evidence of women fighting for their equality for the past twenty-four centuries. If you’re looking for an actual date you might be out of luck. What can be said from The Oxford EnglishRead MoreFeminism Is Defined As The Theory Of Political, Economic,1011 Words   |  5 PagesFeminism is defined as the theory of political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. (Definition of Feminism) and also as the organized activity on behalf of women s rights and interests. (Definition of Feminism). If one would look in-depth into Feminism they would see that there are three waves of Feminism. Now not all types or waves of feminism is wrong, but third wave, or the most re cent, should not be supported, because they often tell myths that are just not true or usually use aRead MoreFeminist Theory And International Human Rights786 Words   |  4 Pagesinteraction of feminist theories and international human rights discourses as detailed in UN documents. The UN has advanced women’s rights by introducing a new human rights discourse, and by offering a place for interaction among women from different parts of the world. Women have used these opportunities from the UN to push several different feminist theoretical frameworks. The author examines the interaction of these various feminist. theories. She is drawing attention to the gap between theory and praxisRead MoreModern Day Feminism : The Fight For Equal Rights1589 Words   |  7 PagesModern-day Feminism The definition of feminism states â€Å"the belief that men and woman should have equal rights and opportunities† (â€Å"feminism†). Modern feminism is no longer about equality and is in fact counterproductive to the cause. The fight for equal rights has been transformed into a fight for privilege, waged against causes insignificant in the big picture of gender equality; causes like manspreading, cat calls, air conditioning, and representation in video games. We are waging a war in aRead MoreWomen s First Wave Of Feminism Essay1555 Words   |  7 PagesThe 1960’s first wave of feminism in literature brought about the importance of understanding and studying Women’s History, and the reasons behind origins of the Feminist theory and the feminist movement and gender binaries. Newfound research pertaining to female History helps us to better understand modern social constructs and how they were established. Starting with the late eighteenth century, which m arks the transition from pre-industrialization to the emergence of economic development in EuropeRead More Feminism Essay1662 Words   |  7 Pagesfirst feminist wave’, aimed to challenge the idea of women being the inferior sex and demanded equal rights. This ‘so called’ first wave ended with the ‘Royal Assent to the Representation of the People Parliament Act’ being passed in 1918, which granted women the ability to vote and recognised females as equal citizens (Fraisse, 1993). Following work will assay the position of women in today’s society and barriers that prevent gender equality. The focus will be on the conflict between feminist idealsRead MoreFeminism : The, Or Man Hating912 Words   |  4 Pagesthat you would probably receive from many people if you were to ask them about feminism. This is far from the true meaning of feminism. Feminism is about so much more than hating men, or even just mending the oppressions within a gender bin ary. My definition of feminist theory is looking at and analyzing a variety of different oppressions and maltreatments, particularly those within gender; furthermore, feminist theory focuses on how these oppressions come to be and how they influence society, withRead MoreFeminism : A Heavy Stigma Surrounding The Word `` Feminism `` Essay1275 Words   |  6 Pagesthe word â€Å"feminism†, saying it out loud evokes emotional responses from many people. During my conversations, I received many casual responses to feminism, or rather the traditional, â€Å"I believe in equality† response. I also received some negative responses from people that did not approve with modern day feminism, or believed that we had already achieved equality. And finally, I received some very strong — yet positive — responses to feminism, however, these people explained that feminism itself isRead MoreFeminism And The Postmodern Feminist Theory1596 Words   |  7 PagesThe evoluti on of feminist theory from a modern to a postmodern viewpoint stands to correct the injustices of historically liberal feminism. For some time, grand narratives have governed the ideas of self and gender from a single experience of â€Å"man†. Traditionally, modern feminism aimed to eradicate the hegemonic theory of inferiority by women to the male gender. Postmodern feminism aspires to eliminate categories of gender altogether, for the social construct of gender is considered to disregardRead MoreThe Definition Of Modern Day Feminism1116 Words   |  5 PagesDefinition of Modern Day Feminism â€Å"Feminist: a person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.† This is what Beyonce, one of the most famous and influential Women of Color in the past decade, claims in her 2014 VMA performance, with a large, shining backdrop of the word ‘feminist’ behind her. This quickly became one of the most direct and most widely-known displays of her feminist beliefs, and Beyonce is far from the only celebrity who has shown the modern world that