Berger 1

The F-Word
As Gloria Steinem said, A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full
humanity of women and men. The basis of feminism is the aspiration for womens rights.
Feminism was born at the Seneca Falls Convention (one of the first events promoting suffrage)
and continues to be a pressing issue for all women (Issitt, Feminism: An Overview 1).
Progressively throughout history, women have gained more basic human rights: voting, working,
owning property, and education (Quezzaire and Finley 1-2). Today, the debate remains, why is
feminism still relevant? To elucidate, feminism is necessary to reach gender parity in the
following facets of life: the business industry, the sports industry, and the dress codes imposed on
genders. Because these issues are perpetuated, the feminist movement is neither outdated nor
irrelevant due to socioeconomic gender inequities; therefore, action needs to be taken against
institutions that still stand for unequal treatment based on gender.
In the past few decades, women have made huge strides in the business industry: not only
do they make up half the work force, but women are also the breadwinners in 40% of families.
Despite these achievements, women still earn less than men for doing the same job: female
full-time workers made only 78 cents for every dollar earned by men (Hegewisch and
Hartmann 2). This gender wage gap is demonstrative of the glass ceiling theory; this theory
states that it is almost impossible for women to become CEOs in the business industry, simply
because they are women. Women are seen as incapable, even when their actions exceed any
expectations set for them. The glass ceiling theory prevents women from reaching pay parity and
being recognized as vital components of business: men [manage] greater numbers of people,
[have] more freedom to hire and fire, and [have] more direct control of the companys assets
than women (Empowering Women in Business 1). It is forecasted to take 44 years to close the

Berger 2
gender gap, and in the opinion of business driven women, that is 44 years too long (Hegewisch
and Hartmann 2).
Like gender wage gap in the business industry, the female sports industry also faces
multifarious issues with gender inequality. Title IX became a law in 1972 to protect and
advocate for gender egalitarianism. Although this made funding equal for female and male sports
on paper, Title IX did not change the mindset towards womens sports (Issitt, Title IX, Women
and Sport 2). Despite Title IX, it is obvious that mens sports receive more funding. A Bitch
Magazine article by Pat Griffin noted that the womens ice hockey coach, for the University of
Minnesota Duluth, was denied a contract renewal. Regardless of her impeccable record and
background in the sport, she was not renewed due to lack of funding. The male coach, however,
kept his job even though his team was not as victorious. Furthermore, when girls who wish to be
part of high school sports, have 1.3 million fewer opportunities than men (Issitt, Title IX,
Women and Sport 5). This statistic is not up to par with Title IX; this is only one case where
sport gender inequities are exemplified. Women who are able to play sport are not as respected as
men. In the Toms River North track agreement for girls, it was agreed that the girls would not
run for the school track team wearing only pants or shorts and a sports bra (no removal of the
shirt). However, the boys team has been observed without shirts on, and they continue to receive
no chastisement. This is unequal treatment of the sexes. The basis of this policy is in reprisal to
the infamous shirt removal by Brandi Chastain in celebration of a winning penalty kick. This
talented young soccer player was so overwhelmed with excitement and celebration that she
ripped off her shirt at the 1999 Womens World Cup. This is a common practice of male athletes;
however, Chastains actions were labeled in the media as inappropriate and disrespectful
(Gee 1). Men can take off their shirts, be in the spotlight, and still be well respected. This
preeminent, biased treatment does not accurately depict that females account for approximately

Berger 3
40% of all those participating in sport (Staurowsky et al 386). As a matter of fact, womens
sport media coverage, positive or negative, is on the decline; the overwhelming statistics
illustrate the sports industries inequities (387). These staggering facts exemplify the lack of and
gender equality for female athletes.
Moreover, dress codes imposed on women support a pre-feminist world, a world where
women of all ages, are over-sexualized. Schools will ban clothing items seen as inappropriate
(yoga pants, crop tops, etc.) because they are distracting to the males in the school but do
nothing to protect these young women from sexual harassment (Chin 1). This theory is
completely sexist because it is presuming women to be the distraction to men; thus promoting
men receiving their education without distractions is more important than women feeling safe
and respected. Telling a young woman that her outfit is inappropriate and is causing issues
among the males class is promoting the same mindset related to victim blaming and rape culture
(Lynn 1). Instead of being proud of who they are, women are taught that dressing sexy is
sexual harassment: there is no way that simply existing in ones body can be sexual harassment
(Lynn 1). These dress codes are unfair because men are never portrayed as dressing obscenely,
but women are subject to strict codes (Cho 1). Female body shaming is degrading to all women;
no womans self-respect should be questioned based on her clothing. Unreasonably strict and
unfairly executed dress codes further sustain the idea that if a woman dresses sluttily, she is
asking for it [violence and harassment] (Chin 2). Further perpetuating the sexist dress codes
will keep egalitarianism from reaches its full potential.
Contrasting the pro-feminist points above, some believe feminism is an outdated,
obsolete idea. This is the opinion of those who think feminism has no valid standpoint in the 21st
century due to policies and laws in place today to promote equality. It is argued that gender
equality can never truly be met because biologically, men and women are unequal: Person A can

Berger 4
bear a child and nurse him/her. Person B cannot (George and Wagner 1). It is also contended
that feminism is no longer needed because the movement has achieved its objective (George and
Wagner 1). Those who discredit feminism believe women are no longer held back by rules or
attitude; they simply just have yet to be elected. Feminism is not a social movement for
biological equality. The basic definition of feminism is the belief in social, political, and
economic equality between the sexes (Issitt and Flynn 1). This social movement wants women
to be treated with the same respect as men. The notion that feminism is no longer necessary
because women have reached their objective is debunk; in reality, women have yet to close the
gender wage gap and receive the same credit men do for achieving the same feat (Hegewisch and
Hartmann 1). Although women do have the same ability to reach the top that men do, why is it
that they have not? The simple fact that there has yet to be an American female president,
supports feminist ideals.
In summation, feminism remains pertinent to women disrespected by inequities in
business industries, athletic representation, and dress codes. Action needs to be taken to promote
respect towards women and gender equality (Chin 1). The dress code in schools must be
modified to maintain cultured appearances, but equal for both men and women. Additionally,
action should be taken so women do not feel ashamed about their bodies. To clarify, schools need
to reprimand those who sexually harass students, both female and male. The mindset towards the
human body needs to change (Chin 1-3). Thoughts toward businesswomen also need to be
refashioned. Men should recognize women as equals in the industry, not as inept business
leaders. In order to remedy this issue, the problem needs to be recognized. Without awareness
about this injustice, the circumstances will never be rectified (Empowering Women in
Business 2). Furthermore, the sports industry should recognize female athletics; women put in
just as much work as men, yet are not given the credit they deserve. Given these points, the

Berger 5
validation of feminism as a current social movement is imperative to improve society:
Feminism is the radical notion that women are human beings- Cheris Kramarae.

Berger 6
Works Cited
Chin, Elleanor. "Instead of Banning Yoga Pants, Schools Should Crack Down on Harassment."
Bitch Magazine. Bitch Media, 15 Oct. 2014. Web. 21 Apr. 2015.
Cho, Tim. "School Dress Codes Reflect Lack of Gender Equality." Playwickian. Ed. Maddy
Buffardi. The Play Wickian, 21 Oct. 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2015.
"Empowering Women in Business - The Glass Ceiling - Feminist Majority Foundation."
Empowering Women in Business - The Glass Ceiling - Feminist Majority Foundation.
Feminist Majority Foundation, 2014. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.
Gee, Alison. "Why Women's World Cup Champion Brandi Chastain Bared Her Bra - BBC
News." BBC News. BBC, 13 July 2014. Web. 29 Apr. 2015.
George, Patricia, and Geraldine Wagner. "Counterpoint: The Feminist Movement Is No Longer
Needed." Points of View: Feminism (2015): 1-5. Points of Reference Center. Web. 24
Mar. 2015.
Hegewisch, Ariana, and Heidi Hartmann, PH.D. "Pay Equity & Discrimination." IWPR. The
Institute of Women's Policy Research, Sept. 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2015.
Issitt, Micah. "Title IX, Women, and Sports." Points of View: Reference Shelf- Sports Culture
(2014): 1-7. Points of Reference Center. Web. 22 Mar. 2015.
Issitt, Micha L. "Feminism: An Overview." Points of View: Feminism (2015): 1-6. Points of
Reference Center. Web. 16 Mar. 2015.
Lynn, A. Dress Codes, Sexual Harassment, and Victim Blaming, Oh My! Nerdy Feminist, 11
June 2012. Web. 30 Apr. 2015.
Quezzaire, Pilar, and Laura Finley. "Women's Rights: An Overview." Points of View: Womens
Rights (2015): 1-5. Points of Reference Center. Web. 24 Mar. 2015.
Salvaggione, Michael. Toms River North Girls Track Code of Conduct February 2015. Print.
Staurowsky, Ellen J., Nancy Hogshead-Makar, Mary Jo Kane, Emily Wughalter, Athena
Yiamouyiannis, and Phyllis K. Lerner. "Gender Equality in Physical Education and
Athletics." Journal of Sport & Social Issues (1996): 381-89. Web. Mar.-Apr. 2015.