Megan Thompson
Ms. Butters
AP Language
13 November 2014
The Definition of Modern Day Feminism
“Feminist: a person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.” This is what Beyonce, one of the most famous and influential Women of Color in the past decade, claims in her 2014 VMA performance, with a large, shining backdrop of the word ‘feminist’ behind her. This quickly became one of the most direct and most widely-known displays of her feminist beliefs, and Beyonce is far from the only celebrity who has shown the modern world that identifying with the word ‘feminist’ is no longer something to be ashamed of. The feminist movement has been evolving since the late 1800s,[1] (Rompton) and throughout these 100+ years society’s view on feminism has also evolved, for better or for worse. Where did this come from? Negative connotations and misconceptions towards the word are not at all hidden in today’s society, many unquestionably calling feminists “Man-haters”, or even “Fem-nazis.” So, what is feminism? Why does it have so many misconceptions? And most importantly, why is it so significant to our society to have feminism properly defined? You should answer these questions in your thesis statement.
“Feminism is the radical notion that women are human beings.” ― Cheris Kramarae. Feminism, as defined by merriam-webster’s collegiate dictionary,[2] is “the theory of political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” A ‘Feminist’ is someone who
To quote Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, an influential modern feminist, in her song ‘Flawless’ she defines a feminist as “a person who believes in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes”
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “Feminism is the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” Today there are millions of feminists, compared to the 1900's, where feminism was very seldom. During the early 1900’s, slavery and the domestication of women (no matter what race they were), was very common. Beginning in
Feminism, according to Merriam-Webster (2016) is defined as "the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men." Though this is the definition of the term,
Feminism is the radical notion that women are human beings. It’s a quote that has been attributed to dozens of women throughout history, but no matter who whispered those wise words, they still hold a significant impact in the modern social body. Much like with the civil rights movement for African Americans, women have won their suffrage and have been granted equal rights; however, also much like the African American people, oppression is still very real for women in the modern social body. The growing disparity between the wages of males and females is frightening, the presence of a rape culture is devastating, and the failures to recognize the right of a woman to choose are cataclysmic. So, if the feminist
Feminism is the advocacy of the rights of women based on the theory of equality of the sexes (Oxford English Dictionary). It is built on the principle that women have innate worth, inalienable rights, and valuable ideas and talents to contribute to society. Feminists fight for equality in every dimension of society, for both equal rights with men and equal respect.
word in a positive way, and think of it as a woman standing up for her gender’s rights. Other people can think of it in a negative way, as a woman who is too high strung and opinionated. The word feminist is actually a female who has opinions on the way her sex is treated. Modern feminism will be discussed, along with using some examples such as Susan B. Anthony.
Feminism is a collection of movements that share a common goal; to define, establish and defend equal, economic, cultural and social rights for women. Feminist activist campaign for women's rights like contract law, voting and property, while at the same time promoting bodily integrity and autonomy and reproductive rights for women. Feminist work to protect women and girls for domestic violence, sexual harassment and sexual assault. Feminist also advocate for equal rights in the workplace in conjunction with maternity leave and equal pay.
The definition of feminism is very elusive. Maybe because of its ever-changing historical meaning, it’s not for certain whether there is any coherence to the term feminism or if there is a definition that will live up to the movement’s variety of adherents and ideas. In the book “No Turning Back,” author Estelle Freedman gives an accurate four-part definition of the very active movement: “Feminism is a belief that women and men are inherently part of equal worth. Because most societies privilege men as a group, social movements are necessary to achieve equality between women and men, with the understanding that gender always intersects with other social hierarchies” (Freedman 7).
For the record, feminism by definition is: ‘the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.’ It is the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes. (Watson 1)
Feminism can be defined as “the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.” It is something that is debated all throughout society today. However, the problem of whether or not women should be equal to men has been around for much longer than any of us.
Feminist: ugly, man-hating, whiny women who can’t get a man. According to Experience Project blog, that is the uneducated stereotypical definition of a feminist. This definition holds so much misleading information within itself that it is truly baffling. The misconceptions of feminism that exist in the real and virtual world today cause the bumps in the feminist movement. I remember seeing 2014 as a year of social justice and equality for the genders. If someone is looking for a very inspirational definition of a feminist they can always listen to Beyonce’s song “***Flawless”. She made use of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s interpretation: a person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes. Personally I don’t think
Feminism is a body of social theory and political movement primarily based on and motivated by the experiences of women. While generally providing a critique of social relations, many proponents of feminism also focus on analyzing gender inequality and the promotion of women's rights, interests, and issues.
Feminism, the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men (Webster’s Thesaurus Dictionary). Feminist seek to find impartiality between the genders, in not only the work force, but many different aspects of their lives. Feminist are spectated to be individuals who believe in female domination, and that is not precise. Feminist believe that women and men should be treated equal to each other, neither sex defines who they are or makes them superior to the other.
Feminists were once thought to be “hairy, ugly, man-hating, angry women” (Costello, 2014), but as times changed, the idea of who these feminists really are have changed. The connotation of feminism has changed because it was originally considered a dirty word, and something you did not want to be. Today with the help of celebrities, including Beyoncé, feminism is no longer dirty, and a lot of both females and males around the world identify as a feminist.
“Feminist: a person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.” This definition comes from the dictionary, has been used in the now famous ted talk “We Should All be Feminists” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and even sampled in a Beyoncé song. Despite an increase of feminist discourse in the mainstream media, American society continues to view feminism as a dirty word and feminists as radicals. These stereotypes have caused negative perceptions of women who identify as feminists. The man-hating, bra burning, angry feminist stereotype is seen as the default of feminism. This is completely contrary to the reality of feminism and furthers the oppression of women by continuing to disregard their voices. Many different ideologies fall under the umbrella of feminism but at its root, the movement is an equalizer created to bring women to the social, political, and economic level of men in our society.