The Feminist Complex

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Imagine a feminist. For most people, this mental image is characterized by many unkind connotations; feminists are alleged bra-burners, man-haters and lesbians. They are associated with unshaven legs and anti-family values, and they are likened to Nazis and other extremist political groups. According to a 2005 poll by CBS News, 70% of women do not consider themselves a feminist (Fisanick, 2008). That is not surprising when one takes into account the overwhelming abundance of stigma that accompanies such a declaration. Is this really a justified picture to paint when considering that feminism is, in essence, the desire for equality between men and women in any areas where one gender is disadvantaged by the other?
Women in modern society are still subjected to a myriad of injustices simply for being born with the female genitalia. Many turn a blind eye to such things, citing that women today have it far better than women of the past, hence making feminism an obsolete notion. However, feminism is still incredibly relevant, whether society would like to acknowledge that fact or not. Stemming from centuries of internalized sexism, women are subjected to violence, unfair treatment in the workforce, and a biased view in the media. These are only the most obvious forms of gendered bigotry as they exist today and demonstrate the relevance of feminism in contemporary society.
Perhaps the greatest struggle women face is internalized misogyny. In simpler terms, this is the concept that women are lesser beings than men, often resulting in the stereotypes people throw around casually on a daily basis (ex: women belong in the kitchen, women are bad drivers). This has been perpetuated through centuries of bias against women. Now, ...

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...://www.workharassment.net/index.php/sexual-harassment-in-the-workplace.html
Shapiro, R. (2013, March 20). Poppy Harlow, CNN reporter, 'outraged' over Steubenville rape coverage criticism: Report. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/20/poppy-harlow-cnn-steubenville-rape-coverage-criticism_n_2914853.html
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2013). Usual weekly earnings of wage and salary workers . Retrieved from website: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/wkyeng.pdf
Vivian, J. (1991). Influence of the mass media. In The media of mass communication Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Yen, H. (2013, December 15). Young women still see pay inequality. The Bay City Times, p. A13.
Zurko, N. (2013, November 25). Gender inequality in film. Retrieved from http://www.nyfa.edu/film-school-blog/gender-inequality-in-film/

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