Post Feminism in Different Media - Essay Example

Post Feminism and Media Haneen Hassouna PLM 2000 Mrs. Eve Studds M00375512 25.11 POST FEMINISM AND THE EXTENT IT’S BEEN DRIVEN BY ADVERTISING IN DIFFERENT MEDIA. Introduction. Feminism refers to as the movement for political economic and social equality for both sexes. The concept is a product of western thought. The world’s history such that women had fewer choices and privileges compared to men. The feminine gender was confined unfortunately to the domestic sphere while men enjoyed greater freedoms. Post Feminism can be defined as the entrenchment of social, political and economic freedoms for all sexes and the propagation of women privileges without being Anti-men. The media has played a significant role in both the positive and negative presentation of women. The media has also influenced the rights of many. The paper will present the history of feminism and post-feminism and to what extent different media have driven it. The success of Women feminism can thus be linked to the positive contribution of the media. Background. Women before the 19th century suffered rampant abuse and shame that was propagated by culture and government. Women had little access to maternal health care. Women died during childbirth because of lack of proper mechanisms facilitate reproductive health rights. The women also had to deal with insecurity perpetuated by society that was characterized by wars and violence (Richardson & Wearing 2014). Women were raped and had to have male guardians to protect them from the risks in the society. Women’s participation in politics and society was limited and attracted critism. Men were raised to believe that the world rotates around them, and the women who tried to speak up for their rights were victimized and brutalized, physically and emotionally (Walsh 1917). The education of women was not a priority as girls were raised to become good housewives. Women were never allowed to make decisions in the family. The rise of feminist movements can be linked to the abolishment of slavery that set the tone for the respect human rights. The first two decades of the 20th century is significant as the right of women to vote was enshrined in the law. The voting of women in elections thus ensured that women were able to elect political leaders that addressed their issues. Once feminist movements got the right to vote, they shifted their attention to issues of education and maternal healthcare. The 1970s and 1960s saw the rise of feminism as a result of the revolutionary spirit that was vibrant at that time. The movements saw the adoption of equal pay act of 1963 and civil rights act of 1964. The women feminist movements hoped that the laws would address the discriminatory and sexist attitudes towards women at that time. As feminism evolved, the changes led to resulted in the development of affirmative action, race gender preferences and quotas. The right to abortion on demand, daycare leave benefits for parents. The access to birth control and career development also led to many women rising up the ranks of leadership (Richardson & Wearing 2014). The period between 1950- 1999 Lady Presidents, prime ministers, and influential businessmen were able to rise to leadership positions. The girls were taught to become whatever they dreamed of and were protected from discrimination by the laws pit in place. The post-feminism was a term used to describe the viewpoints reacting on the feminism. The first evidence of post-feminism was in 1919 when a journal proposed that social, economic and political freedoms should not be influenced by sex. The Journal advised that it is possible for women to achieve freedoms without being anti-men. (Litosseliti, 2014).The use of term post-feminism appeared in 1980s describing the backlash against second-wave feminism, and now it has become a label for a broad range of theories that are critically examining the previous feminist discourses and challenges. The formsplayed a critical role in the post-feminism as according to Patricia Bradley the movement of feminism was highly packed with the mass media. The media has both plosive and negative portrayals of women. Feminism believes that the media had presented the women in a manner that was only limited to the cleaner, housekeeper, domestic servant and the sex object to serve the men’s sexual needs (Fisanick 2008). However, the media role also promoted the positive image so that the female could be able to show her abilities in other sectors of life. The media has highlighted women stories and fought against female genital mutilation. The challenges faced by girls growing in poor countries such as lack of sanitary towels and access to contraceptives are also stories that have been highlighted by the media. The media in the 21st century is diverse with social networking becoming an important aspect of modern day lives. Women have been able to negotiate for better reproductive healthcare rights, better employment laws, and sanitation facilities. Women are the solutions to the many problems that face societies. In sub-Saharan Africa, access to money by women guarantees the community success (Mikell 1997). The internet has scandalized many women by use of their private picture being leaked online. The social media platforms have also been used to create campaigns to help girls and ladies who might need help. Crowdsourcing and crowd funding have thus enabled women to access business capital and start successful enterprises. The advent of the revenge pornography has affected many women who have suffered untold suffering. The media also has enabled many girls in communities that limit women freedoms a chance to see other success stories and fight for a better future (Freeman 2001). The rise of women to leadership roles is a big success to women empowerment. Women have therefore benefitted socially, politically and economically as a result of media. The media has thus propagated good and bad ideas that have significantly affected women. Before the 1950s, women’s roles were limited to getting married at her early age of 20 and starting family life. Being turned into a woman maintaining & keeping house up, taking care the kids of her man and providing the services to her man. The late 20th century allowed women a chance to build a better future for themselves and their families. It is said that empowering women lead to empowering communities. The growth of robust economies after the rise of women participation in the economy is thus evidence of this. Before Females were legally subjected to her husband via “head of the family” and there was no right a women had in terms of property or other legal rights of her husband’s property. 38 % of women were limited to the jobs of teaching, nursing or secretary only. In 1960, the percentage of female doctors was 6%, lawyers 3% and the engineers were less than 1%.(Litosseliti, 2014).This has radically shifted as today more women have gone back to school and are changing their families with their significant contribution to the economy. The role of women in the economy is so critical, and the evidence of their importance is there for all to see. It is, therefore, important for feminist movements to facilitate the growth of even better gender relations for the success of societies. Post Feminism Postfeminism is known as a reaction to the contradictions that were perceived and absences of the second-wave feminism. It, however, represents the success of feminism in the Achievement of its goal. The term was used historically to pose a contrast with prevailing feminism. Postfeminism is a theory describing a range of viewpoints as reactions to the feminism (Freeman 2001). In the early 1980s, the media labeled the young women as post-feminists. After a couple of decades, the term has been still used to refer young women who benefit from women’s movement by expanding the privilege to employment, education. The term also covers setting new rules in arranging a family. Pamela Anderson said that, however, the struggle achieved the goals but politically it could not be pushed as much as required. She also asserted that it is a highly debated topic because it implies that feminism is dead, and equality is a myth (Baron, 2009).The notion by Pamela Anderson can be looked at from the recent developments in the Middle East where women are subjected to torture rape and abuse. The women suffer more from conflict and are used as sex objects by the fighters. The world has advanced in terms of women rights, but these advances are being watered down by religion, wars and illness voices. Women must thus rise to the occasion and ensure that the success they have fought for is never in vain (Baron, 2009). The lack of urgency among women with the rise of sexual and physical abuse is appalling. According to Angela McRobbie post-feminism, challenges the developments that feminism has acquired, and the goals of equality are for everyone including women. The term gives an impression that though the feminism has achieved the goals now the feminists can now turn their focus on something else entirely. It can be seen in the so-called feminism media products like Bridget Jones’s Diary, Sex and the City, and Ally McBeal. While female characters like Jone and Carrie Bradshaw were claiming that they enjoyed their liberty and sexuality but still they were always searching for a man who could make everything worthwhile. Women are the key decision makers in the family. The media has capitalized on this and promoted a consumer based culture by using women as their target for success. The culture of consumerism has made women feel inadequate. The role of women in society has been transformed into selfish gain by the multinationals that propose a consumer based mentality. The women feminism has a role in ensuring that capitalism does not water down the success that women have experienced (Gill 2007). The recent use of the term post-feminism was made in an article of Susan Bolotin “Voices of Post-Feminism Generation” based on a large number of women interviews having beliefs in the feminism, was published in the magaine New York Times (Gill, 2007).Pos feminism thus presents a focus on the achievements of feminism. The Women movements of the early and mid 20th century resulted into freedoms that are now being enjoyed by women. However, women still are taught to that having it all without a man is still useless. Many men have not been empowered enough to deal with the modern woman. The women thus are facing challenges in ensuring that the enjoy freedoms as desired. What Extent It’s been Driven by Advertising in Different Media In the discussion earlier that the role of media is crucial to this success of feminism, the media play a big role in the shaping of how women are perceived in the society. The media should give the role of women in the society more prominence. The women are usually portrayed as sexual objects to be used for the pleasure of men. The rise of digital presentation platforms and the internet has led to the increase of pornography that presents women in degrading manner. The awareness of the civilized world accepted and recognized the positive contribution of females. The progressive role of women in the society and through print, electronic and social media should also be given prominence to enable more people appreciate women in their lives. Through the media, feminism was promoted all around the world, and females could be able to seek the equal opportunities, rights, and in discrimination on gender basis. The presentation of women in the media is thus an important issue (Dicker & Piepmeier 2003). Many videos feature women dancing with very little clothing. The videos thus present women as sexual objects for men. The post-feminist presentation of women thus is shown as weak (Dicker & Piepmeier 2003). Despite these many other forms of digital communication still have given women as professionals. The rise of conversations about women has also been propagated by the media. Women journalists have been able to highlight the challenges faced by women as the story is dear to them. Women have also been influenced by the success stories of other women in other areas. The women have thus gained a lot from the media portrayals. The Constitution of United States provided the in discrimination on gender basis and prohibited to pass any law violating or not protecting the women’s right. Amendment V and XIV of the US Constitution are the best protectors of discrimination in the US. The world is growing rapidly and females have better awareness and understanding towards their rights and all kinds of media (especially social networking) are helping the society to become the female positivism and progression (Gill, 2007). The advent of social media has also led to many women comparing themselves to others; the comparison has lead many women to believe that in order to be a successful one requires having a man in their lives. Social media has allowed women of different cultures to share their stories. The sharing of their stories has enabled many women connect with the challenges faced by other women in life. Women Feminism thus will forever be changed by media as the standards set by others and good practices are shared more rapidly. The high uptake of social media has enabled stories become global and solutions are benchmarked to solve emerging challenges(Dicker & Piepmeier 2003). The rise of better communication platform is thus a plus for feminism. Education and its access have also been improved by the use of internet platforms. More women can access information when they need to, and this has led to increased literacy levels. The education can thus be used to empower women and their communities. Education is thus a great tool to change the lives of women. Conclusion There have been significant gains by women in expanding access to equal opportunity. Women feminist movements and the rise of civil rights have thus played an important role in ensuring that women rights are respected. The accesses to essential health services and guaranteed protection from abuse are fundamental aspects of modern life. The post-feminism effects on the society were almost pleasant, and females were granted the rights and recognized as the progressive part of the community. Today a Woman born is destined to live her life fully and enjoy the reproductive rights. A woman can join leadership and get educated in various discipline of choice. The role of females was expanded from housekeeping to administrator and even heading the country and state. Women have proved that they are better than men in various aspects of life. (Dicker & Piepmeier 2003). They bring forth new life and nurture the generations of better citizens and establish leadership skills in them. The part that media assumes in making women reach this level of success is noteworthy. The media has propagated the wave of feminism leading to a more robust society. Women empowerment has made the world a better place. When women feel part of the global community, their nurturing instincts will make the world a more homely place. The world will experience less conflict and promote shared best practices. The List of References Baron, B. (2009). Postfeminism. USA: Edinburgh University Press. Dicker, R. C., & Piepmeier, A. (2003). Catching a wave: reclaiming feminism for the 21st century. Boston, Northeastern University Press. Fisanick, C. (2008). Feminism. Detroit, Greenhaven Press. Freeman, B. M. (2001). The satellite sex: the media and womens issues in English Canada, 1966-1971. Waterloo, Ont, Wilfrid Laurier University Press. Gill, R. (2007). Gender and the Media. USA: Polity. Litosseliti, L. (2014). Gender and Language Theory and Practice. USA: Routledge. Mikell, G. (1997). African feminism: the politics of survival in sub-Saharan Africa. Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Press. Richardson, N., & Wearing, S. (2014). Gender in the media. Valdivia, A. N. (1995). Feminism, multiculturalism, and the media: global diversities. Thousand Oaks, Calif, Sage Publications. Walsh, C. M. (1917). Feminism. New York, Sturgis & Walton Co.http://www.archive.org/details/feminism00walsrich. Read More