Postfeminism and the Future of Feminism - Essay Example

Postfeminism and the Future of Feminism Introduction No one could contest the fact about the divisiveness on various stands on feminism. For this reason, feminism has been brought to life covering the “wave” metaphor to characterize its development or revolution (Shaw and Lee 13). This brings us to the birth of postfeminism. On this essay, the proponent tries to explain whether postfeminism is a sound or mistake position by first covering the following questions: What is feminism, what is postfeminism, why do feminists reject postfeminism, what is Susan’s Douglas critique of “enlightened sexism” and how does it relate to postfeminism. The essay contains conclusion based on Hell Hooks’ essay, “Feminist Politics: Where we stand.” What is feminism? The definition of feminism may vary, as the view concerning it may be directly associated with the prevailing ideologies within the society. For example, a patriarchal society influenced by the mass media might understand that feminists are anti-male or are the ones seeking the opportunity to let the women be equal to men. Feminism in this context seems to be like a movement against men. According to Hooks, a society founded by Christian culture may continue to believe that women should be under the authority of men, and so they will be ruled over and continue to be submissive (Hooks 2; Shaw and Lee 33). Understanding feminism on this context may be tempting for us to believe that it is about women’s quest to be equal with men. However, Hooks believes that feminism should be defined as a “movement” to stop “sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression” (Shaw and Lee 33). From this definition, Hooks tries to emphasize that the problems lie within the actual sexist actions or thoughts and they are what the feminist movement should need to eliminate. Hooks just wants to correct the popular thought about feminism and its high association with the belief that it is against-the-men movement or women move to be equal with men. However, Hooks simply wants to elaborate the idea that there is much more to generate with understanding feminism if everything about the matter should be substantiated at its core, the actual thought about it, which would show us the associated sexist actions against women. Defining feminism as a movement to end sexist oppression is the beginning of probable exploration and analysis (Adams et al. 240). It is at this point that there is a great chance for somebody to develop a theory out of it if exploration and analysis have to be initiated. In fact, one would be able to gain social, cultural, economic and political perspectives by studying feminism, by which one should understand the quest for social justice as the main motivation of the movement to end sexist oppression (Haslanger, Tuana and O’Connor). What is postfeminism? Postfeminism in contrast, tries to define feminism as hopelessly outmoded in the contemporary society as it contains discourses or ideological beliefs trying to make us believe that equality has been achieved (Ringrose 1; Shaw and Lee 15). Postfeminism therefore still defines feminist perspective, but the differences start from its associated criticism against feminism that is said to be simply no longer in use. For instance, postfeminism places women as the primary benefactors of globalization taking place in the twenty-first century (Ringrose 3). At this point, it may potentially appear that postfeminism is still a form of feminist movement, but it is placing a different context in it as it tries to position women on top in today’s post-modern world, providing the basis that a woman indeed has achieved the equality she deserves to obtain. This is quite interesting and we might be able to appreciate this point further if we try to take a look at the actual role of the women, their status and the level of achievements they might have acquired and the actual similarities or dissimilarities of opportunities they might have experienced before and in today’s society. Postfeminist groups might have substantial proofs concerning their stand, as today there are already existing top women leaders around the world, acquiring even the highest political position in their countries. Some were able to create popularity among themselves, by which only men were able to successfully perform before. Thus, if the point of view of postfeminism directs towards the actual proof of equality, they might have many things to tell to support their point. Why do feminists reject postfeminism? Just like the postfeminism view which tries to reject feminist perspective, feminists have also things to say against Postfeminist point of views. From the standpoint of Hooks alone, there might be a clear disagreement between feminism and postfeminism. The point that Hooks wants to explicate that feminism is something understood within the context of actual sexist thoughts or actions would strongly be in disagreement with postfeminism view about equality. In the first place, Hooks does not want to argue about the actual equality of men and women, but rather on actual sexist actions against women. At this point, Hooks wants to emphasize that the actual sexist actions against a woman may not necessarily be implemented by a man alone, but it could be significantly done by almost everyone, so this substantially broadens our understanding about equality that the Postfeminist groups are trying to claim in the contemporary time. Hooks just wants to emphasize that sexist actions against women are placed in a broader context and they cannot be simply defined in the single context of equality alone. From one of the point of views Haslanger, Tuana and O’Connor present about feminism, one would be able to interpret the fact that the actual concern of women is social justice. If social justice is part of what the Postfeminist groups are claiming to have achieved, then feminism may indeed be obsolete. However, for as long as the feminist counterparts continue to hear about social injustice against women, feminism remains a strong movement to stand and fight against sexist oppressions. Rapes and abortions are increasing in number, which are violence against women at some point as mandated by the constitution (Goodman). Sexist attacks are continuing just as in the recent case of Sandra Fluke (Goodman). In addition, there are other important issues associated with women’s status of equality at present and some are still confined within the prevailing problems linked with poverty, violence, pornography, health problems and more (Shaw and Lee 15). This is another point why feminists may possibly reject the idea about postfeminism. This point depicts further the associated number of women who may actually are still experiencing inequality, from various circumstances, economies, cultures and geographical considerations. Susan Douglas critique of enlightened sexism Susan Douglas starts sharing her point by introducing the female power seen in the media that at some point she believes to be associated with women’s fantasies from the past. However, she tries to point out that there is truth behind all of those media representations about female power that only women could potentially acquire, paving a way for them to be equal with men. For example, Douglas addresses the issue about “sexual display” and “rampant consumerism” as claimed to be based on the media as women’s potential sources of power and control (Shaw and Lee 481). However, she admits there is truth behind all of these. Enlightened sexism of Douglas reveals the idea how feminism brings forward the desired power women might be fantasizing from the past and now seems to be within their reach and even some of them might have substantially acquired like Oprah and Douglas believes on a number of points, women power was obtained because of the influential power of the media. Douglas’ critique of enlightened sexism is therefore related to postfeminism as it tries to elaborate the potential freedom women now have through the media, which could also guarantee their ability to be equal with men (Shaw and Lee 482). Conclusion If postfeminist groups try to expound the point that women already achieved equality with men, then they might have unconsciously agreed among themselves they are still feminists at some point. After all, understanding the context of equality may still involve the point of dealing, for instance, with some actual sexist oppression as stated by Hooks. Sexist oppressions on the other hand are broader in their actual sense. Based on the stand of Shaw and Lee, there is no such thing as postfeminism for as long as violations against women continue to exist. For instance, the sexual pleasures offered by women on the internet as pornographic content may be a substantial source of power and control in postfeminism, but feminism believes this is a form of violation against women. Continuing sexual molestation or pornography is a form of exploiting women, as it makes them objects of sexual pleasures. Even young girls are not exemptions of the actual sexual exploitations. Girls, even how young they are have become primary objects of actual trade and profit making, and it is a new modern form of exploitation, which feminist groups strongly believe to be a form of sexist oppression against women. From the standpoint of Hooks, in various activities not only for sexual pleasures, the media have now created women as primary commodities. For this reason, the media might have disillusioned postfeminists about having such power, but in fact, this is just a modern form of continuing sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression. I believe women have certain power over men and vice versa, but the kind of freedom the media might impose on them as pointed out by the postfeminists might compel them to lose their opportunity to be equal with men, as they are becoming subjects and commodities, which I believe should be points against them. It is not yet time to let go of feminism for as long as women do not yet receive the kind of respect everyone must give them. For me, women exposed as sexual objects on the media, for instance, is still a manifestation of disrespect for them and enslavement. Men and women should respect each other and not regard each other as mere commodities to be taken advantage of for profit and any other forms of selfish gratification. Sources Adams, Maurianne, Warren J. Blumenfeld, Rosie Castañeda, Heather W. Hackman, Madeline L. Peters, and Ximena Zuñiga. Readings for Diversity and Social Justice: An Anthology on Racism, Sexism, Anti-Semitism, Heterosexism, Classism, and Ableism. New York: Routledge, 2000. Print. Goodman, Amy. Missouri GOP Delegate Dressed as Lincoln: Brutal Rapes vs. "Rape of Girl or Lady Who’s Inebriated". Democracynow.org, 30 August 2012. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. Goodman, Amy. Sandra Fluke Takes Fight for Women’s Health to DNC After Being Insulted for Contraception Advocacy. Democracynow.org, 6 Sept. 2012. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. Haslanger, Sally, Nancy Tuana, and Peg O’Connor. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Standford: Standford University, 2012. Print. Hooks, Bell. Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics. London: Pluto Press, 2000. Print. Ringrose, Jessica. Postfeminist Education?: Girls and the Sexual Politics of Schooling. New York: Routledge, 2012. Print. Shaw, Susan, and Janet Lee. Women’s Voices, Feminist Visions: Classic and Contemporary Readings. 5th ed. Columbus: McGraw-Hill Companies Incorporated, 2011. Print. Read More