Feminism or Equality?
Feminism is the belief in social, economic, and political equality of the sexes. Although largely originating in the West, feminism is manifested worldwide and is represented by various institutions committed to activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.
Throughout most of Western history, women were confined to the domestic sphere, while public life was reserved for men. In medieval Europe, women were denied the right to own property, to study, or to participate in public life. At the end of the 19th century in France, they were still compelled to cover their heads in public, and, in parts of Germany, a husband still had the right to sell his wife.
Even as late as the early 20th century, women could neither vote nor hold elective office in Europe and in most of the United States (where several territories and states granted woman’s suffrage long before the federal government did so). Women were prevented from conducting business without a male representative, be it father, brother, husband, legal agent, or even son. Married women could not exercise control over their own children without the permission of their husbands. Moreover, women had little or no access to education and were barred from most professions. In some parts of the world, such restrictions on women continue today.
There are millions of people who both inwardly and outwardly do not support the idea that there should be equal rights and equal opportunities for men and women. There are thousands of people who feel we’ve already arrived at equality for men and women. There are also thousands of people who believe we’re not at all there yet, and support continuing efforts to pave the way for equal rights for men and women. There are thousands who believe in qual rights but find “feminism” a word and a movement that does not align with their personal beliefs or values.
To be ‘feminist’ in any authentic sense of the term is to want for all people, female and male, liberation from sexist role patterns, domination, and oppression. Bell Hooks made this clear with a powerful statement in her 1981 study of sexism, racism, and the feminist and civil rights movements. ‘Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism’.
Almost 40 years on, the world is still reckoning with pervasive and inexcusable gender inequality underpinned by bias and sexism, and research and health care are no exception. Today, the perception of feminism needs to change. One misperception is that third-wave feminists (’80s through today) are not doing enough or that they do not appreciate what has already been accomplished within the movement. Politically we are all in a time of backlash that’s dangerous for minorities in general, and for women. But that doesn’t mean that young feminists aren’t trying to figure out new ways to address these challenges.
One of the main reasons feminism is something young people should be getting involved in is that it empowers people. There is a common misconception that only women can be feminists and that feminism only benefits women. In reality, feminism strives for equality of the sexes, not superiority for women. And one of the main aims of feminism is to take the gender roles that have been around for many years and deconstruct these to allow people to live free and empowered lives, without being tied down to ‘traditional’ restrictions. This will benefit both men and women. It is a movement that everyone can, and should, get involved with.
While feminism unfortunately has not yet achieved true inclusivity or a reckoning with its history of racism, younger women often don’t credit feminism for the opportunities they can take for granted. Some don’t realise, for example, that the wage gap, while persistent, has shrunk considerably, that there wasn’t always such a thing as professional women’s sports, or even that girls weren’t always allowed to wear pants to school. Feminism has not failed women. Society has failed feminism. Blaming feminism is one more way to blame women for society’s failures, and to divide women from one another.
Today, there are different waves of feminism with different ideologies — some more extreme than others. Since before the US presidential campaign last year, feminists came out advocating for women’s rights stronger than ever in support of the first woman to run for president of the United States. It didn’t help that the man who ran against her was considered sexist — someone who degrades women and thinks it’s okay to grope them if he feels like it. Women everywhere came out to rally against him, passionately voicing their dislikes of our sexist society. Yet shockingly, he won the election. This outraged many feminists who became angry and hostile. Their viewpoint became radical and spread like wild fire, leaving trails of bitter words and hostility amongst those who disagreed with them. This made the topic of feminism, one you would want to avoid.
The new version of feminism has become slightly radicalised. Many women today believe in women’s rights and the importance of gender equality in our society, but don’t necessarily agree with the extreme views that blame men for women’s oppression. As stated by Milo Yiannopoulos, a British public speaker who became a YouTube sensation for stirring the pot by speaking out and painting a not-so-great picture on controversial topics like racism and feminism. During his presentations, he builds interesting, yet arguable facts supporting theories that make it difficult to dispute his claims.
The belief in feminism has made many women stronger. It has given us strength to stand up and voice change in an unfair system, and fight to have opportunities equivalent to men at home, school, military and the workplace. We are now facing many challenges amidst uncertainty in our government, so it’s paramount to believe in something for the greater good. It’s okay to have different beliefs on an issue, but if we speak out peacefully, in such a way that it makes sense for others to listen, it’s empowering.
