Feminism has always been a colorful word with a wide variety of meanings, interpretations, and connotations. Unfortunately, these definitions and connotations are sometimes depicted in negative and wrong ways. Feminism is not wearing pants and shunning pink and being mean and poo-pooing child-rearing and hating men. It is not about scoffing at those that choose to stay at home with children or judging other women for their own choices. It is not about relying on stereotypes or assumptions about what the word 'woman' should or should not be. Most importantly, feminism is not a universal, one-size-fits-all term, simply because there are so many women living such differing experiences around the world. Rather, feminism is “the organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests” (Radacic). It is the belief that women should have the right to choose to live whatever lifestyle they desire, and the notion that women and men should be considered equals in every aspect of life. Depending on who a person asks, feminism can mean any number of things. When, where, and even how a woman is raised greatly influences and often times, alters, her view and personal definition of feminism and gender equality.
I interviewed three of the most influential women in my life. Lynne Wesh, my step mother, was born in 1948. She graduated from Gettysburg College in 1970, got married and had two children. She worked as a teacher for many years, leaving only after her first child was born. Lynne later went back to school to become a social worker. She is currently a stay-at-home mom

and grandmother. Corinne Wesh, my sister, was born in 1981. She graduated from University of Pennsylvania in 2004. She has two kids and is currently a stay-at-home mom,...
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...rom the confines of gender and social inequality, there must be an equal freeing of men. The limits that we place on the lives of both women and men must dissolve together in order to achieve equality. The social construct of 'woman' was built in the context of the construct of 'man'. To change one without the other would be impossible. The politics, laws, economics and sociocultural systems that prop up inequality must also be renovated and/or dissolved somehow in order for anyone, man or woman, to be free of deeply ingrained systems of inequality. There can be no shift toward equality without recognition and recalibration of the power structures that enable and perpetuate imbalance. If we can solve all that, then equality is feasible. If not, or if only in a far and distant future, it is absolutely necessary to believe that it will always be worth striving toward.
It's not something we should be striving for. It's a necessity. Equality is like gravity. We need it to stand on this earth as men and women, and the misogyny that is in every culture is not a true part of the human condition. It is life out of balance, and that imbalance is sucking something out of the soul of every man and woman who's confronted with it. We need equality. Kinda now.”(00:06:54-00:07:31). Unfortunately, inequality between the sexes began hundreds of years ago and has grown tremendously through each generation. It seems almost unfathomable that even today, the fight for gender equality, one of the most vital building blocks of feminism, is still alive and
“Feminism”, as defined today, is “1: the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes,” and “2: organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.”2 Many critics claim that feminism has been active longer than the word itself has existed.3 The word, “feminist” was not in true use until the late 1800s and early 1900s, but activism for women’s rights was alive and well a...
Feminism can simply be defined as a range of movements and ideologies in which share a common ground in terms of defining, establishing and achieving equal opportunities to that of males, in regards to economic, cultural and social rights. It is a critique of male supremacy with efforts in changing this to end the social oppression of women. (Hooks, 2000)
“Imagine living in a world where there is no domination, where females and males are not alike or even always equal, but where a vision of mutuality is the ethos shaping our interaction. Imagine living in a world where we can all be who we are, a world of peace and possibility.” (Feminism is for everybody, page 8). This particular quote from the assigned reading really spoke to me. How amazing would it be to live in a world where no one group dominates another, or more importantly no one group discriminates one another. Obviously, just as bell hooks’ said following this quote, the feminist movement cannot do all of this alone. There are so many other things going on in the world that need attention as well, such as racism, class exclusivity, and imperialism. Over the past few years I have become more informed on the feminist movement and the assigned reading only heightened my
I interviewed one of my best friends from high school because we grew up in similar cultures and I wanted to see how her views aligned with mine. She’s also in a nursing program so I thought that would make it interesting.
Marcia Anderson, married to Amos Charles Anderson, was born in 1958, and she also was born and raised in Verona, WI. Her husband is an administrator for the Madison school district. She met her husband in Milwaukee WI. They have been married for twelve years. Andersons dad, Rudy Mahan, whose current job is a truck driver, and who is also currently living in Wisconsin, formerly served in the U.S military. The only difference between Anderson and her father was that he never got to fulfill his dream of flying plane bombers. Her mother was a clerical worker. She worked in many places such as hospitals, and offices. Marcia`s mother also was the first young woman to integrate a catholic high school in Missouri. Anderson’s mother passed away after her graduation of Rutgers Law School. Marcia Anderson was said to be a shy ...
Feminism. What does it actually mean? Many categorize feminists as hairy, bra burners that hate men, but are they? Does feminism actually comply with its stereotypes or are there a rotten few that spoil it for the rest? By google definition feminism means "the advocacy of woman 's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men". I personally find this definition to be flawed in the way that it includes the word "men". To convince individuals of the real definition of feminism, they need to know it is not about the women or the men, it is about the equality. People get caught up in the thought that feminism (equality) Bell Hooks has a definition that I think pinpoints the meaning of feminism perfectly, she states in her book Feminism is for EVERYBODY, "Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression" (Hooks viii). This definition is perfect due to
With the strong belief and desire to have equality for all people, feminists shape our society in ways to which they fight for the betterment of humans. “Feminist” is a genderless and raceless noun, meaning anyone can be a feminist if they please. Feminism is performed and executed differently amongst varying communities—such as white, black, or brown communities. There are no written procedures one must do or go through to become a part of feminism. The only requirements for feminism are having the personal want for equality, and the personal preference to be labeled as a feminist. Many times, people think of feminism to be a movement in which women try to become superior to men. Along with this, being called a “feminist” to some is frowned upon and seen as a form of domination. These thoughts tend to be due to the lack of understanding feminism. What many people believe to be the hatred for men and the
Feminism is, “the advocacy of women 's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.” It is not the belief or avocation that females should have more power or influence than men. Instead, feminists promote change and eliminating patriarchy from society, “accepting everyone as an individual human being, not categorizing them as male or female” (News, 2015). They advocate people be seen as individuals rather than associating someone and their abilities with a gender. The term “feminist” often has an extreme connotation placed behind it which causes people to hesitate when considering what they may consider themselves. According to a survey held by the Huffington Post, only 20% of the Americans considered themselves
Feminism is the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes. In simple terms, it is the ideology of women being equal to men and it is often misinterpreted as the belief of women being above them. Feminists believe in diminishing patriarchy which is a system of society and or government in which men are considered more powerful than women. When people are against feminism they are supporting sexism which is why it is important to educate ourselves on the matter and to understand why we need it.
Feminism, in its simplest definition, is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. (Webster) Feminists fight for equality for women to men socially, politically, and economically. At the peak of feminist discourse is equality for men and women in education and in employment. However, feminism also focuses on more than issues regarding the rights of women in relation to men. Issues of gender equality and women’s right to control their sexuality are also at the core of feminist theory. A key argument made by many feminists is how women have very little control over their sexuality, mainly being defined and controlled by men. T...
Women have been treated unequally since the beginning of time. Just recently have things began to change for the better for women and the future of our society. The increase in women’s equality rights will take time, but some day women and men will be treated equally. This cannot happen until each of us is able to look at a person and just see another individual, not a male or a female, white or black, rich or poor… a person as just a person.
... will allow the lesser gender in society the chance to expand and experience growth in many dimensions. This growth and development will allow for equal and various opportunities for those at a disadvantage within society and around the world. For centuries, men and women have had completely different roles in their daily life, but with the advancements made towards gender equality, a shift has been made from a male dominated society to one where both men and women can interact in a manner that prevents a patriarchal society.
Michael Levin, a professor of philosophy and author of the book Feminism and Freedom, faults feminism for trying to impose an inappropriate equality on men and women that conflicts basic biological differences between the sexes (Levin, Taking Sides, 42). Women are not the same as men, neither physically nor psychologically. In the past, men tended to be the stronger more powerful gender, while women have traditionally been viewed as the weaker, more feeble one. The untrue assumption that men and women are the same in their ways of thinking and physical capabilities leads to the failure of the feminist message. Their agenda of eliminating all observable differences between men and women is doomed to fail and will inflict more pain than gain in the process. Recognizing the differences between the sexes and allowing each to do what they are strongest at will in the long run make society stronger, more efficient, and more effective.
Equality is a concept mankind never is able to grasp correctly. Of course humans will always search for different solutions to create fairness, but factors such as human greed, ignorance of mass populations, and even biological aspects stagnates the process of equality. The oldest and most relevant discussion on equality lies with the difference of sex; man versus woman. Initially, men, because of their physical superiority, were given the prospects many women never even dreamt to have. Conversely, as time has progressed, women have fought this unfair treatment with demands of suffrage and similar rights to those of their male equivalents. Greatly enough, this generation has done an exceptional job in the challenge of overcoming sexism and inequality. However, will this search for equality ever end? When can we say we have created an equal race of men and women? The fact of the matter is that it is truly impossible to have equality between the sexes because of predisposed circumstances that are not easily controllable in the slightest bit.