Abstract This paper examines feminism and how globalization has played a role in shaping feminist thought and practice. The paper further discusses the definition of social capital, which emphasizes not just warm and cuddly feelings, but a wide variety of quite specific benefits that flow from the trust, reciprocity, information, and cooperation associated with social networks. Social capital creates value for the people who are connected and - at least sometimes - for bystanders as well.
From the Paper "Trimble argues "that women's advances in recent decades have stimulated a mostly-misinformed backlash against feminism and those who identify themselves as feminists" (Bateman & Epp 73)."
An analysis of "Others in their Own Land: Second Generation South Asian Canadian Women, Racism and the Persistence of Colonial Discourse" by Angela Aujla, "Why I'm a Feminist" by Lauren Anderson, and the film "Iron Jawed Angels" by Katja Von Garnier.
Abstract The paper examines two articles and a film: Angela Augla's article, "Others in their Own Land: Second Generation South Asian Canadian Women, Racism and the Persistence of Colonial Discourse", Lauren Anderson's article, "Why I'm a Feminist", and the film "Iron Jawed Angels" directed by Katja Von Garnier. The paper focuses on key concepts in these texts and explains how they are significant for contemporaryfeminism. The paper discusses Aujla's concept of "othering", Anderson's talk of solidarity, and the film's portrayal of the many enormous challenges to solidarity among women.
From the Paper "In her article, Aujla focuses on how racist and colonial discourses inherited from the past continue to influence dominant discourses today, and on the way in which South Asian Canadian women are still perceived by the dominant culture. These discourses function to keep South Asian Canadian women marginalized within Canadian society, and ensure that no matter how many generations of their family have lived here, they are still never truly Canadian enough, or white enough, to be part of the dominant culture and dominant discourse. They are thus permanent "others" in their own countries."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts the way in which feminism is considered in the two Ibsen plays "A Doll's House" and "Hedda Gabler" and in Simone de Beauvoir's novel "The Mandarins".
From the Paper "In Henrik Ibsen's plays A Doll's House and Hedda Gabler as well as Simone de Beauvior's novel The Mandarins the issue of feminism becomes central focus of the narratives. The female protagonists in these works all strive to establish identities that are ..."
Abstract This paper paper introduces, summarizes and discusses an article about the stance on abortion taken by pro-life feminists entitled, "Abortion and the Sexual Agenda: A Case for Pro-life Feminism". The paper examines the moral and philosophical questions involved in this hotly debated topic and examines the arguments against abortion put forth by pro-life feminists.
From the Paper "There are few debates that rage as passionately as the argument regarding abortion and women's reproductive rights. Indeed, this topic inevitably gives rise to the discussion of moral and philosophical questions about personhood and fetal rights. The debate becomes even more interesting, however, when approached from opposing feminist perspectives, as both pro-choice and pro-life feminists are committed to bringing about full social equality for women, yet view the abortion issue in entirely different lights. While it may seem that feminism requires a certain support of abortion as part of..."
Tags: abortion, pro-life, pro-choice, feminism, fetal rights, social equality
Abstract This paper examines how feminism relates to the high rate of Black women who have contracted AIDS. It explains that it is evident that despite the cultural, social and economic factors which have contributed to making AIDS more prevalent in this demographic group, the relative absence of feminist attitudes among Black women appears to be one of the most important contributing factors.
From the Paper "An Analysis In examining how feminism relates to the high rate of Black women who have contracted AIDS, it is evident that despite the cultural, social, and economic factors which have contributed to making AIDS more prevalent in this demographic group, the relative absence of feminist attitudes among Black women appears to be one of the most important contributing factors. In Sexuality and the Black Church: A Womanist Perspective, author Kelly Brown Douglas (1999) examines these issues in terms of the impact the silence of the Black church has had regarding sexuality, and explores why sexuality issues have been avoided not only in the Black church but in the Black community as well. She offers a feminist perspective on these issues and encourages Blacks to engage in a theological discourse on human ..."
Abstract In this article, the writer presents the key reasons that racial reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australian groups needs to occur. The writer examines the contemporary situation in the light of historical approaches to policy making by governments.
From the Paper "Reconciliation between Australia's indigenous and non-indigenous populations is crucial for a number of reasons. The development of the nation and its progress in terms of domestic productivity relies upon reconciliation among its people. It also hinges on the ability to reconcile the past with the future. Australia's position in the international community is also seriously threatened due to the present attitudes which seem to be preventing reconciliation from occurring in any meaningful way. Most importantly though the very survival ... "
Tags: Aboriginal, Reconciliation, Contemporary, Australia
Abstract It will be argued that the assumptions of Western feminist theory and practice - constructed within a Western social and cultural environment - are not directly applicable to the Iranian social and cultural milieu. However, it must be understood that this essay will not assume a "cultural relativist" position with respect to the discussion of the role of women and feminism in contemporary Iran. As will be seen, despite a history of feminist activism in Iran under the Shah, and the contribution of Iranian women to the Islamic Revolution, organized feminism in Iran today has been systematically crushed by the conservative Islamic authorities. It will be argued that contrary to official Iranian propaganda - supported by some Iranian feminists who have been pressured to denounce Western feminism(s), as well as by some Western "relativist" feminists - women have been politically, socially and economically marginalized in Iranian society. However, Iranian women have "improvised" in the face of this oppression; creating new roles for themselves that use the Iranian family unit as the basis for their enterprises. The Iranian family, as will be shown, is key to understanding the role of women in modern Iran.
This paper discusses the feminization of poverty a growing problem in America where increasing numbers of women and children have been forced into poverty, by a combination of social and economic factors.
Abstract This paper discusses the many causes of the feminization of poverty including the breakdown of the two parent family and the inadequacy of women's wages to support a family. The author explores the theories of John Mill and of many contemporary activists for an insight into this problem. The author feels that, to solve the difficult problem of the feminization of poverty, American policy makers must begin to see the feminization of poverty as a social and economic issue and disregard negative stereotypes of individuals in poverty.
From the Paper "Edelman has many criticisms of the Clinton welfare bill. Troublingly, Edelman notes that the new bill allows states to manage their own welfare system. As such, welfare no longer needs to come as cash. For example, it could come in the form of certificates that must be redeemed with a specific contract organization. Further, Edelman notes that federal welfare funds are now capped, freezing funding for six years."
Abstract In this article, the writer presents a discussion of the key assumptions inherent in contemporary feminist theory. The writer studies the applications of such theory in modern society. The historical framework of feminism is discussed in this paper. The writer makes the distinction between sex and gender.
From the Paper "Feminist theory crosses the boundaries of genre to influence sociology, philosophy, theology and everything in between. Historically, the main expressions of feminist activity were seen by the general public as extremist and radical. Today, though feminist principals underpin all areas of modern life in an appropriately measured way. Radical feminism was certainly the main impetus for the birth of the cultural revolution, which we now know as contemporary feminist theory. A historical framework of feminism was established by pioneers of the movement including Simone de ... "
Abstract This paper reviews the literature of three contemporary African American female writers: Cheryl L. West's "Before It Hits Home" about the effects of AIDS on a black family;Suzan-Lori Parks' "The America Play" about a coming of age pregnant black teenager; and Pearl Cleage's "Looks Like Crazy" which also deals with issues of HIV in a black woman's life.
From the Paper "When women started getting organized to pursue mutual goals back in the mid-19th century, little did they realize what an enormous impact they would be having generations later. "On July 13, 1848, five women met for tea in Seneca Falls, New York. The repercussions of that afternoon's conversation are still being felt around the world" (USA: Celebrating 150th Anniversary of Women's Rights Movement 1998:80). In this regard, the Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York, represented the beginning of the battle for equal rights for women in America."
Tags: african, american, playwright, literature, feminism, aids, hiv
Abstract This paper discusses feminism in Native America. It begins by describing various forms of feminism and discussing three waves of feminism. It then links feminism in Native America to the third wave, which includes ecofeminism, postcolonial feminism, generational, youth feminism and embodiment, nature, culture and dualism. The paper goes on to discuss the implications of this form of feminism on the native communities.
From the Paper "Regardless of its origins in Native communities, sexism operates with full force today and requires strategies that directly address it. Smith believes that before Native peoples fight for the future of their nations, they must decide who is included in the nation. Gender justice is often articulated as being a separate issue from issues of survival for indigenous peoples, and such an understanding presupposes that "we could actually decolonize without addressing sexism, which ignores the fact that it has been precisely through gender violence that we have lost our lands in the first place," argues Smith."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that feminism today tends to be focused on intellectualizing the position of women in society. The writer points out that while still working in a concrete fashion in order to secure gender equality, feminism has also penetrated areas of intellectual endeavor such as theory of literature and philosophy. The writer discusses that despite the very prominent position of feminism in a wide variety of intellectual and social areas, some hold that the paradigm is no longer relevant, particularly in advanced locations such as the United States, and particularly in Europe. On the other hand, it is the position of some theorists that feminism today is more relevant than ever, exactly because of appearances to the contrary. The writer maintains that despite the voices of dissent, it is clear that feminism still has a variety of roles to play in the EU today. Feminism is also relevant in terms of the international effort towards equal and human rights for all. As such, the writer notes that EU countries can concentrate their collective efforts towards the developing world in ensuring the empowerment of women. The writer concludes that feminism in any environment, including the EU, will not be obsolete for centuries to come.
From the Paper "One of the reasons for the apparent irrelevance of feminism in modern Europe is the fact that equal rights have become a reality in almost every area of Western social life. Women are recognized as capable of filling any position they choose, and are provided by law with the right to receive equal pay for such work. In society, the modern Western woman is no longer expected to revolve her purpose in life around marriage, children, and homemaking, while on the other hand nothing prevents her from choosing to do so. Because all these rights have been secured for women, some theorists believe that feminism is no longer necessary, and indeed, no longer has a purpose in modern Europe.
"In Ireland, this nearly halted the feminist movement shortly after its inception, when the right to vote was successfully attained. According to Tomas A. O'Riordan, the right to vote was at the center of first-stage feminism to such an extent that it had become the movement's reason for existence."
Abstract This essay examines the implications of globalization for feminism, including the "paradigm shift" that some scholars perceive feminism is undergoing in response to globalization. It also considers the kinds of issues to which feminist analysis is being challenged to pay attention. The writer notes that globalization has imposed new pressures on feminism, and feminism has responded by generating new types of feminism and new paradigms. The writer concludes with the hope that it is possible to construct a transnational feminism that is at the same time not hegemonic, one that respectfully incorporates and listens to the various discourses, yet somehow manages to build enough common ground to enable global feminists to work cohesively together.
From the Paper "In like vein, Seyla Benhabib proposes building solidaristic communities in which we can acknowledge each other's diverse and multiple identities, while at the same time we can listen respectfully to each other, acknowledging the many strands that comprise our identities. In this way, there is hope of building up a respectful form of global feminist solidarity that can work to counter the most destructive forces of globalization. For example, there could be a site for a global community of feminists that oppose the depredations of the planet currently being unleashed by transnational corporations.
"Clearly, this new way of looking at feminism may be seen as a substantial paradigm shift."
Abstract This paper explains that feminism is a much lesser studied theory than liberalism or realism in the field of international relations; nonetheless, it deserves attention because women have had an impact on the foundation of international relations. The author points out that feminism, along with other gender theories, are based on three assumptions: 1) Women should be fully incorporated into the field of international relations to ensure an equal voice for everyone, 2) there should be a distinct and noticeable re-focusing of international relations and 3) it assumes that post-positivist methodology should be used in order to deconstruct gender issues at the international level. This paper explains that radical feminism is opposed to integrating existing feminism into any frameworks because it is trying to create a distinctly feminine analysis, which isn't subservient to a male agenda the way other theories have been in the past: They criticize both liberal and critical theories of feminism.
From the Paper "The next category of feminism that we are going to take a look at is Marxist or critical feminist theory. This theory largely suggests that the problem in the world is capitalism, which has resulted in making women work as a labor of love, for no economic reward, in a sense rendering them invisible. This theory searches for the answer to why women and men have appeared in international relations, instead of a focus on how, like so many other subcategories of feminism. To look at it from a different perspective, critical theory asks us questions like: "What ideas about the appropriate relationship between women and men, feminine and masculine, inform the practices of particular actors and institutions? And what material conditions and social forces contribute to the reproduction of those practices? Finally, are attempts to alter those understandings and practices facilitated or hindered by prevailing material conditions?""
Tags: equality, norms, patriarchical, rights, theory
