Are you really really sure that you have a knowledge regarding 'Feminism'? If not, then we are here for you
Contrary to belief, the misconception persists that pertains to the fact that India that India feels that feminism means hating men completely .Which is not true. It is a proportional value of many theories, ideologies which achieve, give and bring women the same opportunity, freedom rights, status and lifestyle which have been perceived as a birthright accountable as well as a sense of ownership of the male community.
Though it includes all gender like trans and queer but it gave women top priority as we turn the pages of history and present. Women were always the oppressed one and always treated as second class to men and if they achieved the desired freedom and right, every other gender will follow.
How did the word Feminism came to term?
The credit for introducing the world goes to
Mary Wollstonecraft and her work" A Vindication of the Rights of Women".
We can see the word feminist appearing in France in the 1870s, which is also rumour to have been used before it. The word referred to women’s freedom and emancipation .
Then we came to the word feminism, which was coined by Hubertine Auclert in 1882, who was the French feminist and a participant in the campaign for women’s suffrage. It also meant the same. After that term “feminist” was evolved around a congress in Paris. Then there was no looking back, and the term was widespread globally in Great Britain and then America, beginning in the 1890s.
Feminism and Society
We all know the dominance of men and that they built this patriarchal society in every aspect economical, political and cultural where women have little or no say. The people whom we can blame the most are colonizers and mineralizers of Europe. We glimpse of the condition of women through work of Virginia Woolf’s A Room of one’s Own ,The Shakespeare’s Sister or Pride and Prejudice By Jane Austen.
Western patriarchal society, which revolves around men’s rights, freedom and all the perks, replaced all the matrilineal society.
Hence, Feminist experts are all about women how they can be achieve the status, goals, have an equal say in finance and politics, get better education, etc. We all know it will take some time and effort, some firm steps, voices have to be raised to achieve the goals and equal place in society.
As mentioned earlier, feminism includes cisgender, heterosexual women, but also queer, transgender, and gender-expansive people. It also considers the aspects of race, gender, sexuality, class, and others as it exposed them to more harsh conditions. Hence, scholars keep in mind these intersections also while weaving the concept of feminism keeping in mind their life, freedom and rights.
1977 Combahee River Collective Statement is a statement given by black feminists takes about how the person sees the feminism who doesn’t fall into these categories and is white and how different it is for him/here.
Feminism and Sexuality
By Sexuality here we mean mindset, dressing and overall expectation of men and women from the society, for ex- Men are expected to be tough and women more shy , fragile and submissive and not to speak or talk much and raise their opinions. In tables also women are not to be taken much space as it is a way to show authority and power and they are a distraction to men.
Let talk about the hypocritical society where if men are sexually active it seems as quite normal and if women do the same, it is taboo and their characters are questioned and seen as if I dressed them to arouse and asking for it. Feminism does the opposite, and it encourages women to embrace it rather than be ashamed of it.
Feminism in Workforce
The way men and women are treated in work is entirely different in terms of wage, perks, oppression, leaves etc. Someone constantly subjected them to sexism and objection.
Despite so many acts and laws they face so much disadvantages and discrimination though it should be eliminated to bring a safe and friendly working environment
What Feminism Is and What it Isn’t?
Unlike the common opinion feminists are male hating it totally wrong they are just seeking the same right, freedom and status as men which they have been denied so long.
Feminist don’t intend to violate or hurt other gender, culture ,religion or political beliefs, they just wanted an equal and happy and just place to live.
The Different School of thoughts for Feminism
There are several theories and school of thoughts for feminism.The three mains are
Radical Feminism
Liberal / Mainstream Feminism
Socialist or Marxist Feminism
Radical Feminism
Radical Feminist are more strict and oppose the current Patriarchal society and bring a culture change. They want to uproot patriarchal society by making no adjustments and see men as a dividing factor in the development of society and women.
Liberal /Mainstream Feminism
Liberal or mainstream feminist believes in democracy, laws and changing the political condition of the society.They form groups to raise their voice and use resources and tools to bring a change in the condition of women. They trust the democratic system.
Socialist or Marxist Feminism
As the name suggests, these feminist believes in Marxist theory and wanted to achieve capital and financial freedom, education, divorce, property laws, etc.
They believe women should not be legally depend on men through laws and practices and instead an independent individual who has own rights and freedom and achieve a same quality of education and lifestyle as men
Conclusion
When we read and think about feminism it a never ending and very crucial topic which everyone should aware of and adopt because it includes all genders and interaction who are oppressed, vulnerable denied of their basic freedoms and rights and don’t enjoy equal privilege and status as men though they comprise ½ population of the world .
We can only hope that this society changes and makes a safe, equal environment for women and that all the gender includes and intersections that they enjoy as much freedom, education, rights and perks as men because without bringing all gender and intersections to the same level this will not be a fair world and society .
Reference-https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-feminism-3528958