The Position of the Modern Woman - Essay Example

The Position of the Modern Woman Feminism is a wide, competing and at times opposing collection of beliefs, theories, political movements and even moral philosophies that are mainly concerned about or motivated by the experiences and living conditions of women (Lerner, 1994). People propagating such theories and beliefs and/or supporting such movements are known as feminists. Though most feminists and feminists’ organizations are women inclined, there are also some men who are sympathisers of the course of these women (Antrobus, 2004). In most cases, feminists tend to concern themselves with the political, social and economic inequality between men and women, some believe that gender based identities and sex such as ‘man’ and ‘woman’ are the products of the society while others question the meaning of these words (Antrobus, 2004; Lerner, 1994). However, the various feminist theories differ, to a large extent, on the sources and types of inequality suffered by women, how to tackle these inequalities and achieve equality or the extent to which gender and sexual identities should be questioned. Obviously, as with every ideology, political movement or philosophy, no single definition or idea would adequately reflect what feminism stand for (Tong, 1989). Nonetheless, despite the various differences within the rank of the feminists’ movements, over the last couple of decades, their analysis and ideas have greatly contributed to society and social theory and thus have greatly improved the lives of women. Several aspects of private life associated with male/female social relationships have experienced changes and many parts of social life have been transformed as a result of the work of feminism. Although, some people argue that there is still along way to go before equality is attained between men and women, everyone agree to the fact that major changes have been experienced towards such equality in the society (Burt and Dorney, 1993). Somehow, men and women through their social actions and interactions have played a role in the changes experienced in the society, feminist theorist and writers have played the most striking roles in the changes in views and attitudes and other societal changes. Feminist theories have always been very useful in that, they tend to address the practical issues faced by women in their daily living and interaction with the society (Sydie, 1987). Feminists’ theory views women in the society and addresses practical issues that are of concern to them, focussing on these from the perspective, experiences, and viewpoint of women. Feminist theorists tend to be women who theorize about their own experiences and interaction, they are concerned with the everyday lives and experiences of women and their social interactions, and often connected to women’s groups, social reform, and broad social and political movements, organizations, and institutions. The concern of feminism appears to be three-fold; the first concern is perhaps, the recognition of women as full fledged social actors in the social world, this is because, though women have always been part of the social world, several theoretical perspectives often did not recognize them as such. The second concern of feminism involves analyzing the difference between biology and the social, the difference usually associated with sex (in biological terms) and gender (in the social world). Most feminist theories seek to explain that the status, role and position of the woman was socially constructed and not natural or unchangeable. The third concern of feminism is the male/female inequality; the oppression and domination of women, and how to overcome it (Tong, 1989; Lerner, 1994). Feminism is usually broadly divided into the Liberal, Socialist, Radical, Marxist, and Patriarchy theories due to the connection these theories have with other social theories and also the strategies and ideas proposed by the theory for tackling the problems faced by women in the society and the ways for pursuing equality. Although, it should be noted that this division is broad and there exist several other perspectives and ideas within them (Tong, 1989). Liberal Feminism: This form of feminism started with the early works of writers like Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau who argue for individual freedom, liberty, and improvements in society based on rationality and human reason. The form of feminism is regarded as liberal because it relates closely to classical liberalism, which places great importance on human reason and believes that human uniqueness lies in the capacity for rationality. Liberal feminism can be said to be concerned with issues regarding attitudes, discrimination and institutions. With respect to attitudes, liberal feminism views women as often too accepting of the traditional expectations/roles of women in the society, therefore reinforcing feminine stereotypes at an early age and maintaining this at older ages. Sexual identities is also viewed by liberal feminists as a major problem across structures and organizations in the society, such attitudes may be institutional discrimination which make it difficult for women to achieve equality. Liberal feminists believe that institutional changes have to be made if women are to achieve equality. Such institutional changes involve building a day care system, making contraception and abortion easily available, providing support mechanisms for women who are victims of violence etc (Tong, 1989; Sydie, 1987) In sum, the liberal feminist model can be said to be concerned with equality for men and women, especially in the public life. It does not challenge the prevailing social and economic system, rather it highlight the need for changes in attitudes, behaviour, laws and institutions, so that women’s participation can be a complete one. However, the basic economic, political and legal structures are not directly challenged by this form of feminism (Tong, 1989). Marxist Feminism: This form of feminism appears to be a derivation of the Marxian model of the society. The Marxian tradition provides an analysis of the family, private property, and the oppression of women. This was first established by the work of Friedrich Engels in 1884 which dealt in-depth with these issues. Engels believes that the establishment of private property in land, tools and livestock created the possibility for men to exercise control over the means of production. In the view of many Marxist, this has made oppression on the basis of sex a result of the establishment of private property. Unlike the liberal feminists, Marxist feminists challenges the present institution, it believes that equality cannot be achieved within the present capitalist institution, thus it requires the abolition of private property. Marxist feminism, with its emphasis on inequalities, takes a more serious look at the family and the inferior position occupied by women in this institution, than other form of feminism. In most cases, Marxists have emphasized economic bases and solutions for women’s oppression. Marxist feminists believe that class and gender inequalities tend to reinforce each other and create a double oppression for women (Tong, 1989) To fully comprehend how the different feminist approaches have affected the position women in the modern society and thus how they explain the present condition of women, it is important to take a look at what obtains in the society before these theories gained prominence. Sydie (1987) reports that women in late nineteenth century England were not recognized as individuals in either the legal or the liberal theoretical sense. Men still held formal power over the rest of the family, and women were mostly excluded from the public life. In Canada, women did not have the right to vote in federal elections until 1918, although the franchise was extended to women two years earlier in the Prairie Provinces. Quebec women did not receive the vote in provincial elections until 1940. Property ownership also rested with men through most of the nineteenth century, with changes that allowed property purchasers to become owner, regardless of sex, coming between 1872 and 1940. It was not until 1897 in English Canada and 1931 in Quebec, that a wife employed outside the home was allowed to retain her wages. Burt and Dorney (1993) also note that in Canada it was not until the 1969 amendments to the Criminal Code that sales of contraceptives became legal, or that abortions became legal (Sydie, 1987; Burt and Dorney, 1993) As preached by liberal feminist, there are now equal rights for men and women in most developed countries of the world, though the same cannot be said of several developing countries. Abortion and the use of contraceptives have become legal and several day care systems have come into being. The equality in property rights and institutions sought by Marxist feminists is apparent in several countries where women now hold both public and private leadership positions. Although, several feminists believe that there are still a lot to be done to attain complete equality for men and women, they all agree that a lot have been achieved in this regard. References Antrobus, Peggy (2004). The global women's movement - Origins, issues and strategies, London: Zed Books Burt, S., L. Code and L. Dorney (1993). Changing Patterns: Women in Canada, second edition. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart. Lerner, Gerda (1994). The Creation of Feminist Consciousness: From the Middle Ages to Eighteen-Seventy. Oxford University Press. Sydie, Rosalind (1987). Natural Women, Cultured Men: A Feminist Perspective on Sociological Theory. Toronto: Methuen. Tong, Rosemarie (1989). Feminist Thought: A Comprehensive Introduction. Boulder: Westview Press. Bibliography Antrobus, Peggy (2004). The global women's movement - Origins, issues and strategies, London: Zed Books Burt, S., L. Code and L. Dorney (1993). Changing Patterns: Women in Canada, second edition. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart. Lerner, Gerda (1994). The Creation of Feminist Consciousness: From the Middle Ages to Eighteen-Seventy. Oxford University Press. Ritzer, George (1992). Sociological Theory, third edition. New York: McGraw-Hill. Sydie, Rosalind (1987). Natural Women, Cultured Men: A Feminist Perspective on Sociological Theory. Toronto: Methuen. Tong, Rosemarie (1989). Feminist Thought: A Comprehensive Introduction. Boulder: Westview Press. Read More