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 paper explains that, although Feminism, which is based on equal rights for women and men, respect for women as themselves and support for other rights movements, has come along way and in some aspects even achieved equality among men; the fact remains that no matter what women do, they will never achieve 100% equality with men. The author points out that the Equal Pay law was past in 1963 and yet, more than 40 years later, women are still paid less than men, even when women have similar education, skills and experience. The paper concludes that women must be more supportive of each other and vote for more women in leadership, especially as President of the U.S..
From the Paper "Feminism has failed because the glass ceiling still exists at home. It is useless to continue striving for more when it is clear that women have reached what could potentially be their limit. Even in the 21st century, women are looking for the comfort of men to be able to feel that they can succeed in a world where opportunity has been made. Women are also the leading cause as to why part time jobs have become more of an epidemic. Employers used to be able to find full time employees and run their businesses successfully and now due to the changes, employers tend to discriminate against women if they know they have children or if then know they only want a part time job."
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
The paper examines the articles, "Third wave Feminism: Antiracists, Transnationalists and Young Feminists Speak Out" by Angela Miles, Goli Rezai-Rashti and Lisa Byrn Rundle and the article "Women's Political Citizenship: Different and Equal" by Ruth Liste
Abstract The paper looks at two articles with the goal of finding a workable definition of feminism. The paper examines "Third wave Feminism: Antiracists, Transnationalists and Young Feminists Speak Out" by Miles, Rezai-Rashti and Rundle and "Women's Political Citizenship: Different and Equal" by Lister. The writer concludes with a definition of a feminist.
From the Paper "At first sight, the two articles, "Third wave Feminism: Antiracists, Transnationalists, and Young Feminists Speak Out" by Miles, Rezai-Rashti, and Rundle, and Lister's article "Women's Political Citizenship: Different and Equal," seem to be very different. However, I found that in the course of reading the two articles I was able to make considerable progress towards answering a key question that is of acute importance to me, i.e. "What is feminism?" This might seem like a facile question, but in fact it is not. For it goes to the very heart of why one would choose to be a feminist at all. Unless the term "feminist" has some real meaning in today's world, there would be no point in being a feminist. I am frequently confronted with this question, when friends ask me why I am a feminist."
Abstract The paper gives a history of feminism as brought forth by Jayawardena in her book, showing numerous examples of the movement to grant women equal rights throughout Asian cultures, starting in the late nineteenth century. The paper cites the examples Jayawardena gives to prove her claim that Arab and Asian women have been engaged in the struggle for equality for many years.
From the Paper "In Afghanistan, Islamic, male-dominated forces continue to this day to repress women and keep them virtually without rights. The well-publicized absolute power of the Taliban has recently returned Afghanistan women to an even more invisible role than some were able to achieve, however briefly, during the period Jayawardena covers. She notes, "The failure of the Afghan experiment resulted in some Islamic countries exercising caution on reforms affecting the status of women" (72)."
Abstract The feminism movement may have liberated women, giving them equal opportunities and rights as men, but with these positives there have also been many negative effects. This paper looks at how a breakdown in family values has caused countless problems with our youth and how an increase in contraceptive technology has destroyed the social class balance and made sexual activity in our youth run rampart. It also discusses how an abolishment of gender roles is causing confusion among men and causes more violence against women. It attempts to show how the feminism movement has ultimately put far to much responsibility on females.
From the Paper "One of the more obvious negative effects of feminism has been the almost complete destruction of gender roles. With the movement working to abolish the female stereotype, the male stereotype is being abolished with it. Just as females are no longer expected to act caring, fragile and motherly, males are no longer expected to behave tough, masculine and fatherly. This is resulting in a breakdown between the distinction of male and female roles. This trend has even gone as far as to have the acting out of traditional gender roles as almost taboo. For instance a female high school student who wishes to grow up, get married and stay at home would almost certainly be frowned upon. However, as Fitzgerald (2004) explained "the truth is, men are supposed to be men and women are supposed to be women."
Tags:equality, gender, masculinity, roles, sex, sexism, sexist, war
This paper reviews and discusses the historic oppression of black women as well as the existing gap between white and black women as detailed in Bell Hooks' "Ain't I A Woman? Black Women and Feminism."
Abstract This paper explores author Bell Hooks' theoretical perspective on blacks and feminism. Hooks claims that the major cause of oppression to black women came from many sources including white women interested in their own personal gain at the expense of black women and the black men interested in keeping them as second class citizens. This paper discusses the exploitation of women during the slave trade as one of the pioneering ways in the continuing devaluation of black women. The writer contends that Hooks' novel contains relevant research and subsequent evidence that clearly details why a gap still exists between black and white women. The writer of this paper stresses Hooks' desire for all women to bond together and for the struggle for equality to end.
From the Paper "In her research of the exploitation of slaves, Hooks' expertly does not focus on the sexual atrocities committed upon black women. She in fact details the effect brutalizing black women has on the black man, white man, and the white woman. Hooks explores the possibilities of the potential personal gain from dehumanizing black women, some of which include stereotypes/jealousy of the sexuality of a black woman, and "demasculating" the black man (psychological removal of his masculinity) in relation to exploiting 'his' woman. Bell Hooks' research into the hypocrisy of the feminist movement as it relates to white woman is the principal reason why many African American women, myself included, do not want any active participation with the women's movement."
Tags: racism, slavery, women, gender, equality, literature, review, rights
Abstract This paper discusses how radical feminism today is not only harmful in image, but has its principles backwards with its continued passion for gender uniformity in America today. It examines the differences between inequality and discrimination with examples through history of female oppression and feminism. It looks at how certain types of militants are twisting feminism into a reverse discrimination that harms the integrity of the feminist movement itself. Men and women don?t need to be the same.
From the Paper "Looking through these centuries of structural and attitudinal oppression, it's easy to understand the fire with which female suffragists ignited their cause. Slowly, women began speaking. They began thinking. One historical example of the loss of intellectual inhibition was Dolly Madison's letters to her husband, President James Madison. Not only did she use sarcasm to poke at him, she was also quite frank and candid with her thoughts. She even urged President Madison to "remember the ladies" when constructing the new constitution. The culmination of these strides was the Seneca Falls convention of 1848. Female activists including Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Lucretia Mott gathered together to discuss and make plans for the future of feminine equality."
Tags: discrimination, equality, gloria, reverse, rights, steinem, women
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 discusses how the Equal Rights Amendment, which was first introduced to Congress in 1923, still eludes women, despite the simple words that comprise the entirety of the proposed amendment. It looks at how, throughout history, a quagmire of social, political, and economic forces have prevented ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and how we now appear to be closer than ever before to providing full constitutional protection for women.
From the Paper "Abortion rights are still hotly contested, but retribution against equal rights for women appears to be diminishing. In United States v. Virginia in 1996, the Supreme Court held that the all-male admission policy of the Virginia Military Institute violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Federal Constitution. If the Equal Rights Amendment was to come back up for a vote this year, it would certainly stand the best chance of passing in U.S. history and would likely be adopted by a more progressive society than has existed in the past. And, after all, only three more states are needed to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment."
Abstract The paper presents an outline for a paper that will look at the recent history of the feminist movement and explore legislation on affirmative action, domestic violence issues, issues pertaining to workplace harassment and sexual assault and on matters relating to equal pay for equal work. The paper explains that the research will look at the legal and institutional apparatuses which have sprung up in recent decades to protect women and whether those apparatuses are actually working. The paper further explains that the proposed research will conclude by arguing that the quality of citizenship and democracy in Canada is profoundly compromised if half of the population is being treated unequally.
From the Paper "The structure of my argument will proceed from broad to narrow - or at least it will do so as much as possible. Depending upon the sources available to me, I would like to start out by looking at the history of the women's movement in Canada from around 1970 onward, paying special attention to any benchmark achievements or successes that have taken place since that time. Of course, before going into this matter in great depth, I will most likely contextualize the issue by looking at the status of women before that date (although I really do not want to spend a great deal of time upon it). With the historical background out of the way, I will examine the situation as it presently stands. In particular, I will try to use scholarly databases which provide up-to-date information on rape statistics and the number of women to be found in non-traditional occupations or positions (such as senior management). Ultimately, I hope to use specific examples of where women are in ascendance or where they are still lagging behind; I may also discover that the concerns many women have about various issues are unfounded."
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 examines the liberal and radical perspectives of feminism. The author points out the perceived source of the problem and thoughts about differences between women. The paper suggests how change was to be achieved.
From the Paper "Feminism is not a homogeneous ideology or movement. There are many strains of feminism with different political, economic, social and ideological perspectives. The strains of feminism that will be examined in this essay are liberal feminism and radical feminism. The three questions that will be answered are the causes of the problems according to each perspective? How will social change be achieved according to each perspective? And how do these perspectives consider social differences between women? Although both liberal and radical feminism argue that women face many problems they disagree on the source of these problems."
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)."
