The Strengths and Weaknesses of Several Definitions of Feminism - Essay Example

The Strengths and Weaknesses of Several Definitions of Feminism Unit 1 1.1. Discuss the Strengths and Weaknesses of Several Definitions of Feminism as Described by the Authors of The Readings, and Explain What You Find Persuasive or Unconvincing In the Various Approaches, and Why? Feminism is identified as movements, which defines the rights of women in the human civilization. It can be also regarded as an ideology, which usually refers to the equal right of women in the modern civilization. Moreover, feminism signifies political, cultural and social privileges of the women1. In this regard, Delmar (1986) observed that the tendency of feminism concept has been influencing the civilization and making it mandatory for them to focus on actions and movements for women’s rights. Besides, feminism concept is also referred to equal opportunities for women in a society in terms of education, property and employment among others2. In this regard, Cott (1986) signified that the feminist movements have assisted in providing equal rights as well as justice within modern society and determining differences in terms of expediency. In this context, feminist movements have aided in building a different cultural order based on certain logic and tradition3. Highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of several definitions of feminism as described by the authors, feminism concepts can be recognized to have assisted women to understand their rights in a society better. On the contrary, several definitions of feminism initiated more negative arguments among the male members regarding women rights in a society, which can be considered as a weakness of the feminist movements. In this context, it can be identified that feminist movements have initiated a privilege for the women to maintain gender equality with male members in the modern civilization. Apart from this, feminist ideologies implied that the dominancy of the female members in a society should have gender equality, whereby feminist theories have assisted female members to attain the desired societal and professional identity4. Similarly, the feminist concept has introduced several legal bindings in the society in order to ensure the women’s rights in terms of property, voting and marriage among others. Moreover, feminist ideologies have offered reproductive rights to the women including the right of abortion and contraceptive. Simultaneously, feminist ideologies have ensured protection towards women concerning matters of violence and sexual harassment, benefitting female members of the society quite impressively. The feminist concept has also ignited various changes in the traditional approaches of the society, which has further initiated equal remuneration opportunities for the women. Thus, it can be evidently asserted that feminist ideologies have upraised the position of women by discouraging male-dominated approaches of the sixteenth-century’s civilization5. On the contrary, in order to identify the weaknesses of the feminist concept, it has been recognized that in the present day phenomenon, the feminism theories and definitions have changed to a large extent owing to gender equality as well as provision of equal rights and justices. However, conservatives often argued in contradiction to the notions presented by activists that female members have been misleading their legal rights for certain vested reasons, causing imbalances in the society and thereafter, threatening sustainability of the same. For instances, studies conducted in the modern phenomenon revealed that several women have been involved in the abortion practices taking advantage of different equal rights and legal recognition, which is creating a negative impact on the civilization by increasing mortality rates. The after effect of such trend is quite apparent with reference to the tendency of abortion reduced the population growth rate of the western countries. Similarly, in the modern era, several females have been also been engaged in homosexual relationships, which has been influencing the modern civilization in a negative manner6. Based on feminist ideologies, it has been recognized that the right of abortion and contraceptive is very unconvincing in modern era. In this regard, several women, including adolescent females, have been involved in the unfair practices. As an effect, a negative impact has been observed on the society. Thus, it can be asserted that the right of abortion and contraceptive is an unconvincing approach when considering feminist ideologies and definitions. 1.2. Explain How a Given Interpretation of the ‘‘Western Tradition,’’ or A Given Definition of Feminism, Would Shape the Questions to Be Addressed In A Women’s Studies Course? In the modern era, women’s studies have become one of the most essential factors, which have been assisting females to express their thoughts and skills in a society. Notably, today, female members are provided with the privilege of engaging in studying activities in a society. Western tradition is a concentration of the civilization based on social norms, belief system ethical values and culture of the European and American countries. In this regard, according to the Western tradition, it has been observed that women studies has been one of the most crucial activities for the female members in countries like Canada and the US among others, where most women members are backed by scholarship in order to conduct their studies7. Thus, in order to highlight the trend of Western tradition, it can be asserted that the importance of education is regarded with high consideration for the female members of a society in Canadian and American universities. Besides, technological and scientific architectures are also included in western traditional women studies course8. At various occurrences, women studies course has reflected about historic events, with special emphasis to those ranging from 1790s to 1940s under the influence of feminism. Moreover, traditional Western courses emphasized the male members. In this context, the Western traditional studies concentrated on economic or political backgrounds of a society, which was then recognized as male dominating. During this period, women members were restricted from getting involved in studies. It is with time that the concept of education and its necessity has increased gradually, which has brought a revolution in the Western traditional course studies. The feminism concept has also introduced equality for women in terms of education and citizenship. Feminist movements have likewise been introduced in order to reduce the problem for the women in a society, so that they are able to have equal privileges and opportunities in every sphere9. Contradictorily, traditional women’s studies course has failed to reduce the challenges for women in terms of economies, technologies, politics and culture among others. In this regard, the United States and England have circumstanced the Western trend owing to feminism, which had flourished due to increased trade and business operations amid these nations. Additionally, the Western trend is also modernized due to the advancement in different spheres that included social, political, economic and technological factors among the prime. In the similar context, adoption of feminism concept in Western ideology has influenced the democratic right of the women and attempted to eliminate discrimination of all kind against them in a society10. In most of the countries, it has been recognized that after the feminist movement, people have protested against the feminist ideologies. Moreover, in few countries, women are still considered as subordinated members in a society. On the contrary, several countries have witnessed several indigenous feminist movements that have provided substantial equality. During the early twenty-first century, feminist movements have introduced scholarship facilities in studies in order to suffice the rights and responsibilities for female members in a society11. Unit 2 2.1. Describe Arguments for and against Celibacy for Women, or Men, or Both, In the Context of Intimacy, Equality, and Heterosexual Relationships In the mid-20th century, American and European countries emphasized equality in order to maintain gender equality in a society in terms of intimacy and heterosexual relationship. Celibacy is defining the freedom in terms of a relationship. Celibacy signifies sexual abstinent and being unmarried owing to personal as well as religious reasons. In order to focus the historic argument for celibacy for both man and women, it has been recognized that several arguments have been observed in a society in terms of economy, politics and culture. It has been perceived that sexual urge has been controlled positively through the help of marriage and sexual act. In this regard, it can be asserted that celibacy has emphasized role of the priest12. On the other hand, according to historic arguments propounded against celibacy signifies about the struggle of women’s autonomy for heterosexual relationships, along with heterosexual repressions and opportunities afforded for male-female relationships. In this context, it can be asserted that women had a right to sexual pleasure based on which, the power of male-female relationship has been underpinned. At the same time, women have gained the opportunity of education in a society. Similarly, celibacy has also initiated women members to have better employment opportunities. In this respect, women have been provided with better opportunities to accomplish their personal as well as professional needs. In addition, women are also privileged to be involved with cultural practices. At the same time, women are offered with rights from the court of law regarding violations in relation to property and marriage among others. Additionally, the concept of celibacy has aided female members from sexual harassment, ensuring them adequate respect and justice. Moreover, female members of a society have earned the privilege of choosing life partners according to their own choice13. Simultaneously, male members of a society have been facilitated with the opportunity of improving their economic growth with a widened growth opportunity list. In this regard, it can be asserted that male individuals have availed equal remuneration facilities from their employment. At the same time, male members have also availed protection of law in relation to violence occurrences, which can be apparently identified in terms of cultural aspects, whereby every male member of the society has experienced similar kind of opportunities with respect to social and professional aspects14. Nevertheless, equality has also initiated several problems among both male and female members in terms of celibacy. Right of intimacy and heterosexual relationships has however negatively influenced male sexual behavior. As an effect, several sexual disorders have been observed in a society caused due to heterosexual relations among partners. Similarly, in case of women, similar kind of behavior has been also observed. In case of employment and political environment, increasing access of women has raised challenges in different demographic settings, which has initiated some serious threats in terms of social status and career opportunities among others in the civilization. Besides, equality has enforced several sexual indiscipline behaviors among both male and female members, which has raised abortion and contraceptive activities in a society. In this regard, it can be comprehended that both male and female have enjoyed their sexual rights and equality demands. Thus, it can be asserted that both men and women have changed their enlightened attitudes and practices in the present modern era15. 2.2. Describe the Arguments in the Historical Debates about the Meaning of ‘‘Lesbian’’ and the Development of Lesbian Identities or Consciousness in Various Settings? The term ‘Lesbian’ refers to the homosexual characteristics of a woman, i.e. a women developing sexual relationship with other women in her social life. In this regard, a legal contract enforced between two women having sexual relationship is legally recognized in different Western countries. In this kind of marriage relation, existing between two women, an interpersonal relationship usually develops, where intimate sexual engagements are acknowledged in several ways. In case of a traditional marriage, usually a man and women is engaged in a formal relationship; but in case of lesbians, it is completely different16. In order to describe the historical view about lesbian, it can be apparently affirmed that only few historical debates have been witnessed in terms of lesbianism. The tendency of lesbianism has been observed for the first time, during late fourteenth century17. Within the next couple of century, the tendency of lesbianism has increased in the Western and European countries. In this context, legal obligation has been enforced in order to discourage lesbianism trends among women. During this phase, a large proportion of the population has been involved in protests against the government, in order to ensure adequate human rights to their better livelihood. As an effect, it has been observed that during the mid-19th century, England and American courts of law has approved same sex marriage according to the choice of individuals. In this regard, most of the protestants have argued against the equal rights for gay and lesbian people in a society18. Modern lesbian civil rights movement commenced in the year 1969. In this regard, it has been revealed that lesbianism has become one of the privileged rights of women according to the feminist movement. In the year 1971, the development of lesbian identities or consciousness has increased and extended massively among the women. Moreover, during that period, a law was passed regarding woman’s rights, which defined that women can express her own sexuality and her own lifestyle according to her choice. Irrespective of the fact, during the year 1977, American legislation enforced a new law that adult females can choose their own life-style, whereas adolescent females were restricted with respect to private sexual behavior between consenting partners19. In subsequence, by the year 1990, lesbians became more visible in a society. During this phase, gays and lesbians have gradually gained voice to express their feelings with greater freedom and openness. Again, during the 21st century, was identified that same sex marriage was legalized. As an effect, lesbianism wedding has become a new trend in the modern era. Thus, it can be affirmed that controversies over sexuality have been a rational resolution in the human civilization20. 2.3. Describe the Debates within and About the Birth Control/ Reproductive Health/ Reproductive Choice Movement, and Explain which Label (If Any) Seems Most Appropriate? Reproductive rights are the legal rights and freedom of both the male and the female members in relation to reproduction and reproductive health. In this regard, it can be more specially asserted that reproductive rights are availed for the all couples and individuals to take decisions about childbirth with more responsibility. Moreover, these reproductive rights also provide the standard of sexual and reproductive health for human being to a certain extent21. During the 21st century, increasing legal controversies have been involved over the reproductive rights in the US. In this regard, federal legislation has enforced several norms over the reproductive rights. In order to identify those norms, it has been recognized that ‘Restrictions on Public Funding of Abortion’, ‘Partial-Birth Abortion Ban’, ‘Gestational Age & Viability’ and ‘Maternal Age & Minors’ among others are enacted. The Supreme Court has emphasized reproductive norms in order to reduce the use of abortion and contraceptive tendency amid young male and female members in the society. Moreover, it can be asserted that by emphasizing reproductive rights, the Supreme Court has tried to prevent pregnancy of female adolescents. In addition, with the assistance of reproductive rights the Supreme Court has attempted to manage maternal age of the male and female members in a society22. Correspondingly, the ‘Restrictions on Public Funding of Abortion’ is identified as an appropriate legal right in relation to reproductive roles, by restricting the use of federal funds in case of abortion. In this regard, the US legislation claimed according to the norms of ‘Supreme Court that further guaranteed women's constitutional right’ for protecting women in their sexual life. Correspondingly, the right has defined medical access regarding abortion and contraceptive factors. According to the Supreme Court legislation, funding on abortion services has been considered as a highly violent crime in a society. Notably, the amendment on ‘Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’ (ACA), the Supreme Court has also passed an appropriation bill in order to forbid the expenditure of federal funds in case of public abortion services. In addition, the Supreme Court legislation has permitted abortion services only in cases of rape incidents and in the case of life endangerment. At the same time, the Supreme Court legislation has allowed abortion and contraceptive usage, in order to save a mother’s life rather than the unborn child23. This reproductive restriction of the federal constitution has assisted modern society to prevent sexual indiscipline to a substantial extent. At the same time, the ‘Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’ (ACA) has also ensured prevention of the federal funds in unproductive events. Additionally, the Supreme Court legislation has prevented the abortion and contraceptive tendency of the people by implementing these reproductive restrictions. Thus, it can be evidently asserted that ‘Restrictions on Public Funding of Abortion’ is the most appropriate approach implemented by the Supreme Court federal legislation to provide reproductive rights24. In this respect, the formulation and implementation of the different measures have assisted in maintaining birth control and reproductive health in a society. The debates relating to birth control or reproductive health implies that different medications and pills are used to control birth and other associated issues. Inadequate measures relating to birth control is also identified to develop venereal diseases and unplanned pregnancy issues as well, which are identified to pose threat to health as well as life of women. In this regard, movements were initiated with the aim of building moral purity amid women25. References Nancy F. Cott. Feminist Theory and Feminist Movements: The Past Before Us. (New York: Pantheon, 1986), 49-62. Rosalind Delmar. What is Feminism? In what is Feminism? (New York: Pantheon, 1986), 8-33. Sheila Jeffreys. “Free from All Uninvited Touch of Man: Women’s Campaigns around Sexuality, 1880–1914.” Women’s Studies International Forum 5.6 (1982): 629-645. Karen Offen. “Defining Feminism: A Comparative Historical Approach,” Journal of Women in Culture and Society 14.1 (1998): 119-157. Read More