Feminism Ideology Related to Social Work - Essay Example

Running head: FEMINISM Feminism Ideology Related to Social Work You’re This research focuses on the many different aspects of feminist ideologies and how these can affect many areas of social work in today’s time. Within this body of work the literature will show that through the decades historians have defined the nature of feminism in a variety of ways. Some feel the various feminine ideologies are cultural attitudes; others believe they are a form of the rising bourgeoisie, many explaining them as opposition to excessive state power and a coherent body of principles based upon the idea of individual freedom. However, the concept of feminism locates middle ground between uninhibited classical feminine liberalism and more extreme feminine ideologies. The form of feminine liberalism is more a fusion of individual rights and active government; it consists of two main parts. Firstly, the social-welfare component prescribes significant social and economic functions to alleviate the effects of capitalism. The philosophys second major component reaffirms classical liberalisms central values. This work goes into greater detail about the different feminine ideologies within the main body of the work. It also goes on to orchestrate how the variations in liberalist attitudes and perceptions have an impact on the type of social work and services that are offered and rendered to people in society. The conclusion of the work illustrates that in a democratic society, social feminine liberalism can, in a sense, add stability while sustaining individual liberty. Likewise, in the areas of individual rights, freedoms and economic equality, the feminine ideologies are vindicated in their quest for reinterpretation. Through welfare, some liberty will be sacrificed, but in this way, equality imposed in the right amount can strike a satisfying balance in social work and in the social life of all people. Feminism Ideology Related to Social Work Introduction It is first very important to understand the fundamental distinction between the two different kinds of liberty and consequently the origins of such that exist within feminine ideology. This is because an assortment of the feminine ideologies, such as liberalism, delves into the more political aspects that affect people in a social atmosphere. These political elements also affect the type of services that people get from social services as well. Throughout history, these political entities have been addressed, dating as far back as the 16th century. In 1690 John Locke wrote the essay, ‘Two Treatises of Government’, where he redefined the relationship between government and the people, proclaiming that the state was founded and erected in order to "preserve the natural rights of its citizens," and that if it failed to do so, the people had the responsibility to rebel in order to improve their conditions (Ashcraft 1987, pg. 14). It could be said then that the development of feminine ideology was born for women due to this belief. History clearly defines that in the pre-industrial days of Europe and America, the poor had a relationship with the upper class that was characterized by deference towards a fraternity which wanted little or nothing do with them. It was especially hard on the female gender during this time. Leaders, such as ones like Thomas Jefferson, the main proponent for the laissez-faire policy in the framing of the United States Constitution, believed that governments worldwide would only prevent the people from living their lives freely, imposing regulations which would deteriorate the liberty on which countries such as England and America were founded (Katz 2003, pg. 1). This idea was coined negative liberty, because the negative or absent role of the government, would ensure the liberty of the people. The reason this is brought up is because in the industrialized era, feminine ideologies such as feminine liberalism was taking higher and higher precedence for women in governmental positions and other seats in social organizations, such as in the concept of welfare which is now coined “social services” in the societal atmosphere. Social liberalism is one feminine ideology that has taken dramatic steps over the years to bring a sense of fairness and balance for women and specifically for families in need, however history shows there have been many draw backs in ensuring that women with children in particular have their needs met through social welfare organizations, something that has not always been simple or easy. What is Feminism Ideology? The history of feminism and of feminist theory has many possible origins. However the most plausible explanation for the origins of feminism and of feminist theory can be connected with the desire for social and political reforms, which was clearly introduced previously in the literature being presented. It is therefore necessary to focus on these social and political reforms, by doing so it becomes possible to highlight the evolution of feminism (as a form of ideology and a type of activism). This evolution has not been without intense criticism, clearly the most important critique of all feminist ideology states that due to the origins of feminism it is not an all encompassing political and social movement. Instead however it is an exclusive conservative white suburban theory which blatantly excludes “minority” groups, such as black women, lesbians, and the lower working class (Tong 1989). Within the context of social work, this brings in all types of adversities as there is consistent and obvious neglect of other groups of people. So, although feminine ideologies might be positive in some social aspects of life, in others they draw more negativity which promotes more hardships in the long run. This of course makes a researcher have to ask; if the primary goal of the feminist movement is and has been to unite women in order to change a woman’s position in society, then surely this goal would fail if “minority” groups are excluded? To answer this question it is of fundamental importance to understand the origins of the feminist movement and hence the rise of feminine ideologies. Defining Feminism The word feminism is stated in the dictionary as the belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes and the movement organized around this belief. Many individuals will understand the word feminism in different ways. There is no true set way to describe feminism for everyone has experienced it in a different way. The one important thing to remember about feminism is that it has impacted many things in society like Religion, Western society and womens rights to control their own bodies (LeGates 2001). There is no doubt that many of the feminine ideologies and feminist approaches to sociological theory in particular, including radical views have developed out of historical sites of struggle for equality for the female gender. While sociological theory is broadly concerned with structured forms of social inequality; feminist critics of sociology have pointed out that sociological theorists have neglected gender as a central principle of social differentiation (Garder 1996). In order to analyze the origins of feminist theory, one must have a clear understanding of what distinguishes feminist theory from other kinds of theory (as well as the process of theory making). According to Alison Jagger there are four important elements that feminist theories possess: a descriptive element, the explanatory element, a normative element, and a practical element. It is important to understand these different components of feminist theory and feminine ideology, in order to be able to critically evaluate the alleged exclusiveness of feminism (Wolf 1994). It is according to the four elements that feminist theory should be analyzed. Unlike Jagger, who believes that women must have their own gender identity, therefore their own gender ideology; Sally Alexander states that the core of feminism is “always posed in terms of women’s perceptions of themselves and their status in relation to men” (Alexander 1994). It therefore becomes apparent that there will be many discrepancies in feminine ideology because there are too many gaps that exist and not enough support for all groups that are discriminated against and that have been throughout history. However, there are some feminine ideologies that are more acceptable than others. Feminism strives to seek equality for women, yet as an ideology this “conquest” both succeeds on certain levels but as an all encompassing ideology seems to fail. The Waves of Feminine Ideology The first wave of feminine ideology came in the 18th century and during this period feminist activism focused on three issues: the education of women, marriage and property rights, and, later, abolitionism. Feminist theory during this period was centered on the philosophical argument of the Enlightenment age. The theories attention was predominantly focused around the issues of what women were by nature. Therefore philosophical arguments presented the notion that “women were, by nature, different from men” (Yee 1992). The majority of the philosophers claimed that women lacked the capabilities and rationality that men had. Therefore women were unsuited to participate in political, social, and educational life. Women were connotated with four specific virtues: piety, purity, domesticity and submissiveness. Due to philosophical thought and imposed virtues, women were considered to be “unfit” and incapable of owning property, to obtain work outside the institution of the home as well as to obtain an education equal to that of men. It is therefore both the legal and social patriarchy that removed all the rights of women. Predominantly the English common law and the church, was found to have forced women into a position of social and political subordination. The House of Commons referred to women as the “weaker sex” a “group that could not take care of themselves and without the help of men, women would experience their peril” (Yee 1992). After the first wave, a new wave of womens movements emerged during the 1960s. Womens rebellion against the middle-class housewifes role contributed to this second wave of womens movements. It began with womens examination of their personal lives and developed into a program for economic and political change. Womens groups discovered discrimination in the workplace, where women received less pay and fewer promotions than men did. They also uncovered barriers to women seeking political office and to female students striving for high academic achievement. Feminists achieved their goal of political and economic power as a group (Klein 2006). Nevertheless, as time has gone by, we have reached the third wave, the radical one. Feminism, as one concept, has slowly diminished as women have received very diverse definitions for feminism and its goals. Instead of other definitions, feminism is often identified with the radical and extreme definition when mentioned. The word Feminism, known to many as the real F-word, is that of adult rated jargon. This is stated because feminine ideology does not do all that it claims it can do, will do, or even has done. If this is the type of Ideology that is followed for social work then it would leave a very strained relationship, both with clients and with professional affiliates as well. Analyzing the Four Feminine Ideologies: A Personal Reflection Liberal Feminism Liberal feminists are the least radical of all feminist perspectives. The main aim of the liberal feminists is the creation of equal opportunities, particularly in education and work. Probably the most positive thing liberal feminism has for itself is the fact that it has contributed to considerable social change, especially in relation to employment opportunities and conditions, and social policy. Liberal feminists themselves have not produced a clearly developed theory of gender, but they generally rely on role theory. One of the main strengths of liberal feminism is that they aim for gradual change in the political, economic and social systems of Western societies which, it is assumed, will in turn transform gender roles. This is considered a strength because it is a reasonable and realistic accomplishment. Liberal feminism is willing to take the appropriate time it may take to produce gender equality. With this time liberal feminist pursue an aim through the introduction of legislation and by attempting to change attitudes. They encourage and support such measures as anti-discrimination and equal pay legislation in the hope that they will help to end discrimination. Liberal feminists do not seek revolutionary changes in society, but rather reforms that take place within existing social and political structures. If there are any weaknesses to the liberal feminists this may be it. Other feminist may argue that the liberals are not aggressive enough and rely too much on hope. Radical Feminism Radical feminists turn their explanatory focus onto heterosexuality as a social construction. Radical feminists thus often see the social context of heterosexuality, family life, as central to womens oppression in modern societies. If men oppress women, then surely heterosexuality constitutes sleeping with the enemy; the slogan which emerged in the 1070s-feminism is the theory, lesbianism is the practice-captures the essence of this perspective. The radical feminism perspective is filled with weaknesses. The largest weakness among the radical feminists comes from the separatist feminist, who argues that women should organize independently of men. This argument usually leads to the view that only lesbians can be true feminists, since only they can be fully independent of men, which in turn downgrades all other feminists. For the radical feminist the subordination of women is seen primarily in terms of relations of dominance between men and women as distinct social groups. Because men as a group are seen as being opposed to womens liberation by definition, many radical feminists reject any cooperation with them in their struggle to achieve the social change they seek. Looking at all men as a group and then deciding to turn against them is a serious weakness for any feminism. This would only suit the lesbian feminist, and would hold no relevance for heterosexual feminist. Another weakness in the radical feminist perspective is the way they group. Radical feminists use patriarchy as the most important concept for explaining gender inequality. They use this term to provide a detailed explanation of how power operates within sexual relationships. They argue that politics was not just an activity confined to political parties and parliaments, but one, which exist in all relationships. The radical feminists go on to argue that rape and other forms of sexual violence are ever-present possibilities and ways in which all men intimidate all women. Marxist and Socialist Feminism Marxist and socialist feminists regard capitalism rather than patriarchy as being the principal source of womens oppression, and capitalists as the main beneficiaries. Marxist/socialist feminists and radical feminists have many similarities when it comes to what they see as a problem, however, their solutions are not exactly the same. For example, like radicals they see womens unpaid work as housewives and mothers as one of the main ways in which they are exploited. However, although individual men benefit from this arrangement, it is especially capitalists who gain from womens work, since new generations of workers are reproduced at not cost to them. Marxist feminists also place much greater stress on the exploitation of women in paid employment. The disadvantaged position of women is held to be a consequence of the emergence of private property and subsequently their lack of ownership of the means of production, which in turn deprives them of power. The biggest strength of the Marxist/socialist feminism is their ability and willingness to cooperate with the opposite sex, rather than turn completely against them. For example, although they agree with radical feminists that women as a group are exploited, particularly since the advent of capitalism, they pay more attention to the differences between women belonging to ruling-class and working class families. In this respect women have interests in common with the whole working class, and Marxist and socialist feminists often see greater scope for cooperation between women and working class men than do radical feminists. One major weakness to the solutions provided by Marxist and socialist is that it may explain why capitalist exploit workers but not why men exploit women. Conclusion It is very important to point out that feminine ideology has made some strong differences in society for women. In fact, discussing social work, there would not be female social workers if an effort had not been made to bring equality to women in the past. For this sake, feminine ideology is something to be applauded and even accepted to a certain degree. However, as this research has shown, many of the philosophies that are enthralled with feminine ideology are very critically of the male gender and also do not speak for all classes of women which to a certain degree has alienated this type of theorization. If social workers were to utilize this ideology to its fullest then many people would still feel discriminated against, especially lower classes of people and many minorities as well. However, the Marxist and Socialist approach in feminine ideology has many positive attributes tied in with it. For example, it does not degrade the opposite gender in any way despite the fact of the negative history that has existed between the genders through the centuries. In fact, this type of attitude is good for social work if someone wanted to draw in a small amount of feminine ideology because it shows a willingness to work with both genders equally, not alienate one from the other or criticize like the liberal feminist attitude does or go too far out like the radical ideology happens to do. In many ways this would be more acceptable and close to home to use in some instances within the field of social work. The main point is and in finalizing is the fact that again there was a time when there was a strong need for this type of mental attitude and theorization concerning societal issues. Although there still exists adversities for women, and minorities, and even those with disabilities, it isn’t the right philosophy to take in the profession of social work. At least it isn’t 100% matter of factly because times have definitely changed and society has found ways to attempt to bring a sense of fairness and equality to all people despite race, gender, religious background, mixed ethnicity, personal customs, or any other personal circumstances that would previously have placed obstacles in many people’s paths. Although feminine ideology is not dead it is simply a theorization that is not put to use wholeheartedly any longer. References Alexander, S. (1994). Becoming a Woman. (London: Virgo Press Publishing). Ashcraft, Richard. (1987). Locke’s Two Treaties of Government. (New York: Allen & Unwin Publishing). Garder, J. (1996). Sophie’s World. (London: Phoenix Publishing House). Katz, Claudio. (2003). The Spirit of Liberalism. (Cambridge: Harvard University Press). Klein, Viola. (2006). “The Feminine Character: The History of an Ideology,” The International Journal of Psychoanalysis 27 (2006): 165-166. LeGates, Marlene. (2001). In Their Time. (New York: Rutledge Publishing House). Tong, R. (1989). Feminist Thought. (London: Westview Press). Wolf, N. (1994). Fire with Fire. (London: Vintage Press). Read More