Feminism

BY:
Erica Gico
Rea May Failagao
Rodolfo Nopera
Mary Joy Mones
Feminism
The studies gender and its relation to power, and the dynamics these two
concepts playout in economics, politics, sexuality, race and nationality, among
others. It is both a sociological perspective and a philosophy that aims to
promote gender equality, social justice and women’s rights. However, the
primary concern that feminism tries to address is the oppression of women in
society and the patriarchal structure of most societies.
Patriarchy
A social organization where in the father or the eldest male heads a society or a
government. In someone context, however patriarchy constructs a social structure where
men are seen as more powerful than women. In labor and economics, for example, the
father goes to his job everyday while the mother is left at home to take care of the
children. In the past, when women did find opportunities to leave the house and gain
employment, the jobs offer to them were limited to being a secretary or nurse. Women’s
role started being considered in the work force, they were still subjected as subordinates
to men.
The popular saying “Women are the best left in the kitchen’’ is not pronouncement of
women’s cooking skills but rather an affirmation of patriarchal ideology or belief that
treats women as productive only in household work.
The three waves of Feminism
1.(19th and early 20th centuries) The legal issues concerning women. Women at
the same time surrendered their properties to their husband, were not allowed to
hold public office, and were not allowed to hold public office, and were not
given the rights to suffrage. During the 1920s that women first voted in
America.
2.(1960s up to the 1990s) born out of the civil right’s movement. This
movement tried to address was of sexual equality and reproductive rights.
Encomposed women of all economics classes, races, and nationalities. With
Marxism incorporated in feminism, women were seen as a social class fighting a
social conflict include with all women in its advocacy and an objectification of
women of the middle class. This advocacy showed that race, gender, and color
wee struggles that were in interrelated in society distinguished sex(biological)
from gender(social construct). This movement saw ‘’feminine’’ objects such as
bras, lipstick, and high heels as form of male oppression and an objectification
of women.
3.(Late 1980s and continues until today) Do not
consider “feminine” objects as the artifacts of male
oppression, but as tools to enrich their Feminity. A
women does not have to pretend like a man or hold
herself from putting on makeup just to be treated as
equals. Continuously advocate for their right to
individuality in whatever form or shape.
Key Concepts in Feminism

Gender Ideology
Is a belief that supports gender inequality. It is a social divide that
establishes perceived roles for men and women, and relegating them to specific
roles. Some gender ideologies include women staying at home while men go to
work ,and women being more delicate, emotional, and nurturing compared to
men who are more aggressive, assertive, and dominant. It also actualized in
how toys are determine for their children.
Gender Inequality
The actualization or realization of gender ideology.There is gender
inequality when the perceived role of women subordination to men
reflects hiring procedures and requirements.
Important
Theorists
Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797)
Was an English writer, philosopher, and women’s advocate. Wollstonecraft
advocated that the human rights written by John Locke also be accorded to
women. Although Locke human rights did not discriminate sexes, their
application during that time was relegated only to men. Wollstonecraft thus
argued that women should also have the right to life, property, pursuit of
happiness, and suffrage. Her views were in direct criticism of the French
revolution, which espoused human rights but seemed to have selectively
applied such rights to the male gender only.
In her treatise, Vindication of the Rights of Women(1792), Wollstonecraft
further elaborated on these concepts, advocated for women’s education,
and promoted women’s right to pursue her own profession.
She added that such confinement turned women into ‘’Gentle Domestic
Brutes’’ as their frustration led then into becoming tyrants over their
children and house helpers. Wollstonecraft’s ideas were so revolutionary
that they, in many ways, paved for the rise of feminism
Nancy Cott
Nancy Cott (born 1945) is an American historian and professor. Cott
traced the historical roots of the feminist movement in America and identified
its paradoxes, struggles, and period of decline.
One paradox pointed out by Cott was the rise of two feminist ideologies-
Human feminism and female feminism. Human feminism argues for equal
treatment of women and disapproves discrimination base on sex. Female
feminism on the other hand ,argues solidarity among women and
acknowledges that there are differences in human capacities that are base on
sex.
Adrienne Rich(1929-2012)
Was an American poet, essayist, and feminist. She used poetry to bring to
light the oppression of women and lesbians in society. Her poems explored
them such as a women’s roles in society, racism, and war. Her collection of
poetry, Diving into the Wreck(1973),garnered wide praise and accolades. In
her essay “Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence”(1980),Rich
defined hoe heterosexuality becomes an alienating and oppressing conceot
that only lends to establishment of male dominance over women. Rich defined
being a lesbian as more than a sexual preference, but a cumulative experience
of women and their history.
Judith Butler
(Born 1956)is an American philosopher and gender theorist, whose key idea
in her theory of gender performativity. Gender performativity is a theory on the
creation of gender similar to how theatrical actors create roles identifiable to
audiences. Gender is performative in a sense that gender roles and norms have
already been established in society throughout history. Humans are so
accustomed to these traditions that we associate certain acts to a particular
gender. Because of this ,girls are raised as if configured to like the color pink
and boys ,the color blue, as this colors represent feminity and masculinity.
Thus gender ideologies cover human acts and existence to the point that
automatic associations are created when ,for example ,a man is seen as gay or
effeminate when seen wearing pink.
Patricia Hill Collins
Patricia Hill Collins (born1948) is an American sociologist. He work studies
feminism in the perspective of a black woman. Collins argues that different
oppressions happen within the context of race, gender and class and that there
are overlapping instances of oppression. The history of black women in
America highlights the intersectionality of the oppressive force of society.
Collins claims that knowing the point of view of as black woman’s struggle
and feminism can provide a window for other similarly oppressed groups or
individuals.
Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand (1905-1982) was an American novelist, philosopher and
playwrights. Calling her Philosophy objectivism, Rand aimed to use reason
in order to achieve personal happiness. Her theories and argument were not
limited within the confines of the feminist agenda, but encompassed all of
human existence. She did not identify differences between genders because
she talked about universalities such as human rights. Objectivism in
particular, is living for one’s own sake without sacrificing himself or herself
for another, or others sacrificing for him or her.
Criticism and Limitations
During the first wave of feminism, anti-feminism was already
present, which apposed a granting of women’s rights to vote, hold public
office and attain higher education. Anti feminism also argued that
traditional values, beliefs and established religious norms be upheld, and
that divorce is “taboo”. Feminists claim that history has provided the
roles by which society has come about and that should be the way it is.
Women are to be relegated to their homes while their husbands go to
earn for the family.
Essential Learning
As the capacity of humans to reason and make sense of their world got
complex, we were able to look closely at issues that are often seen as non-
issues merely because they have been practiced traditionally. The issue of
gender equality is one of these neglected issues that have finally been
addressed by scholar and activists alike. Today, women and other sectors of
society who are prey to the dissociating and selective systems instituted by
powerful classes are still fighting for their rights, which allows for the rebirth
of a new form of feminist movement.