Importance of the Feminist Movement - Essay Example

Issue Analysis Lecturer Issue Analysis What are some of the strengths associated with the Pro side of the issue? What are some of the weaknesses? First of all the Linda Hirshman’s argument points out the idea that some women often opt to take a few backward steps when they decide to leave their mostly well paying jobs so as to raise families without divided attention. According to The Feminist movement, the women should be able to pay attention to policy making, being part of the elite in the society as well as being major decision makers in the society. According to Hirshman, males take charge mostly just to fast rack their agenda by benefiting other men and therefore the only possible way that would make the women get benefits is if they personally roll their sleeves and protect their interests by being very strong figures in the workforce. This argument further seeks to answer the question that surrounds the feeling that women can never be rulers in society yet the Feminist Movement gave them the right to cast their votes, the right to fight out for their beliefs as well as the right to vote (Hirshman, 2006). The society should therefore restrain from spending money in educating women and to assist them acquire degrees if they won’t give the women the chance they so much need to lend the skills they gained in education to make life better in the society with the knowledge they have. Other forms of argument under the same discussion is that women would be able to benefit immensely if they had their own sets of rules to follow in life in such a way that they are empowered to make decisions on their own in regards to what concerns major decision making such as the kinds of courses to study in the university, on how to support their families and homes as well as to avoid being forced into situations whereby they have to stay at home against their wish. Going by the Hirshman’s argument, the Feminist Movement was started having in mind such factors as the lives and purpose of women, drawing distinction between what is good or bad life for the woman and going farther to shatter the ceiling that can limit a woman of which so many women end up being obliged to do so as to explore higher grounds. Women therefore need to take the major steps forward to fight for the good things in their lives that are worth fighting for (Stone, 2008). The argument presented by Hirshman in this aspect however tends to decide the case of the women. The thought has good ideas for women empowerment but tends to criticize in strong literature even the women who opt to put their families first. The argument has it all rolled out that men tend to be unfair to the women yet in most cases it is the women who take the role of staying out of jobs to tend and care for the kids, their houses as well as their entire families. The argument also fails to recognize the housewives who did not attain the much talked about levels of education. They may have to stay at home and wait around for the males to do the provision of household requirements as they may be illegible for many available jobs. The argument should therefore try to embrace such provisions (Hirshman, 2006). 1. What are some of the strengths associated with the Con side of the issue? What are some of the weaknesses? According to the argument brought forward by Pamela Stone, the employers who give out these jobs to the women lack the flexibility that would make it possible for the women to have both options presented side by side. The reality is that women have quite a gap that exists between what has to be done and what they would want to be done. The decision on the way forward also depends on the males in the lives of these women, mostly their spouses. According to Stone, most women stay at home due to certain instances that arise from economic downturns that affect almost all employees. It was therefore more acceptable to stay at home when such cutbacks take place rather that to go ahead and hire a nanny. Stone farther argues that it doesn’t only have to be a new mother who feels the urge to stay at home but the case still applies even to mothers whose children have attained six year of age. They argue that the physical needs of these older children require even more attention as compared to the newly born babies. Women receive various forms of mixed signals especially from the employers as well as from their spouses in such a way that the husbands fail to share responsibility while the employers give the same women hard times by refusing to allow their divided attention in their place of work (Stone, 2008). Stone manages to argue that this form of push and pull from either side that both matter tend to bring confusion to mothers. Many of these mothers therefore quit because they think that that’s the best way to go so as to rely on the husbands who mostly offered choices to the wives while some just took a back seat and failed to take a stand. The women face choices that are not genuine, especially if they have high power husbands who fail miserably to give them the support with housework to enable them stay at the workplace and so they pick the option of leaving the jobs to go home and tend for the house and the children. These women have the feeling that they were given a choice alright, but lacked the required support to enable them make decisions that are well informed. This argument however takes away the decision making right from the hands of the women and places it right in the hands of the spouses or the employers. The women should be strengthened to be able to stand up to any obstacles that can come in their way when it comes to the full right of decision making. The same argument paints most males as unfair in judgment when in the actual sense most males, especially spouses, care immensely for their wives well being (Stone, 2008). 2. Based on the statements presented in this critical issue, which author do you agree with? Provide supporting evidence. I strongly believe that the argument fronted by Hirshman tends to give a strong suggestion that women have the power to decide their own fate especially in the work place. The same argument explains that if women are to balance for better schedules, then keeping a job and family at the same time can easily be achieved without straining. If a family was to gainfully look at the benefits of having double income from both parents as compared to just one source of income then see the benefits of the former and discourage the latter. The women have the choice to choose from and hence a good number would of course choose to stay at home with the children. Another convincing thought in Hirshman’s argument comes from the borrowed idea that comes from the Feminist Movement that gave out three rules that require women to get good employment qualifications that would enable them get jobs, to get the seriousness that work requires and furthermore to avoid situations that would make them have to quit working if they have to raise families (Guest, 2011). This same movement gave provision of women to seek better education, encouraged women to seek high jobs as well as the allowance to choose whether to stay at home or to go on working when they have families (Hirshman, 2006). 3. Explore two other roles that can be acquired during early and middle adulthood, such as through parenthood, romantic relationships, and career. How have these roles changed through the past generations? One major role whereby we see changes is the major role of a caregiver. More men have now opted to stay at home as compared to the situations in the past. They stay at home and allow the women to work to provide financial support especially if the job of the wife is a well paying one. This is a role that has changed with time. Some families allow both parents to work while letting the children in day care. The other role is that of marriage when the right age arrives. The roles have changed as years go by whereby most marriages afford happiness only for short periods. Therefore a period follows whereby they choose the divorce option while those who haven’t gotten married yet would rather stay single than have to face the challenges that come with relationships. Another role that is acquired during early and middle adulthood is the need for marriage or staying married. Many early and middle adults are not staying married when their relationships are no longer generally happy. They are not willing to work on differences and once the compassion has left the relationship for them it is easier to end the relationship than look for what is lost. Some would rather not marry at all, than have the worry of divorce, or being in a relationship that has no love (Stone, 2008). 4. What psychological adjustments are made during early and middle adulthood to adapt to aging and changes in life style? How does this affect development? Some of the psychological adjustments that have occurred are such that roles are changing; the males are embracing the kind of change that is coming along with time. The women are getting empowered to work and to study in their fields of choice and to get jobs in whatever positions as their academic achievements can allow them to. The males can also stay at home and allow the women to take the economic responsibility while they care for the house and the children while the women work, especially if the job the wife does has more income. These adjustments have had positive influence on development as more experienced ladies have the ability to give their technical support where required (Hirshman, 2006). References Hirshman, L. (2006) Got to Work: A Manifesto for women of the World. Viking Adult. Stone, P. (2008) Opting Out? Why Women Really Quit Careers and Head Home. University of California Press Read More