The Feminist Movement Within The Twenty First Century

Early feminism was typically focused only on white women, likely because racism was still extremely prominent at the time feminism began emerging. It was not until Kimberlé Crenshaw introduced the term “intersectionality” in 1989 that feminism started to look at oppressed group’s needs (Nash, 2008, 2). Intersectionality is a way of thinking that acknowledges that when a person has identities that belong to more than one oppressed group, it impacts their quality of life more negatively. In this paper, I will argue that intersectionality is important in the discussion of feminist theories and activism because it ensures that feminism is for all women, not just a select group of them. Intersectionality has changed the way the feminist movement handles the overlapping of different identities, which has helped feminist theorists understand the experiences of women of colour much more clearly. While intersectionality has a very important role in the conversation and practice of feminism, there are certainly critiques of the concept that should be brought up. These critiques, however, can offer a way to improve the study of intersectionality.

Lingering inequalities and other social trends from previous decades brought forth the modern feminist movement in the 1960s. These feminists campaigned for gender equality with causes such as equal pay for equal work, abortion rights, and social parity. In 1963, author Betty Friedan published The Feminine Mystique, which contained reports from a study conducted on female college graduates during the 1950s and early 1960s, which uncovered that most women labelled themselves exclusively as mothers and housewives, and were unsatisfied with the roles forced upon them. Friedan argued fervently that women needed to discover their own identities outside the roles of a wife and mother. Many believe that the arguments made in The Feminine Mystique marked the start of the modern feminist movement (Loveday, 1)

In this paper I will be reflecting on my own learning and experience in WC2001 Australian Women’s Studies. For the purpose of this essay I have selected three of the weekly units, Unit 7: Culture and the Female Body, Unit 8: Women and Violence, and Unit 9: Women and Health to reflect upon. Each unit I have selected to reflect upon has had a positive impact on my understanding of the structural factors that create Australian society, for example, cultural norms in regards to sterotypical gender roles create a power and resource imabalance wherein gender inequality and inequity are reinforced.

Today, there are still many different views on the impact of the ‘Woman’s Liberation Movement’ in Australia, but because of it there is more recognition about violence against woman (although violence has not necessarily decreased), woman now have more choice over reproduction than they did until the 1960s, and their also able to reach high positions in politics, professions, and businesses. However, it is still far more difficult for a woman to attain these positions than for a man and laws in which attempt to create equal pay and opportunities for woman do not automatically ensure these things.

Feminism is, and always has been, somewhat of a controversial topic as many people believe that feminists are nothing more than extremists who want women to overtake men in the social hierarchy. In actuality, feminism is fighting for equal rights between both men and women. This topic was chosen because many people don’t understand that feminism is not a form of misandry, it is only the fight for equality. Feminism is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as: “The advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.” (Oxford Dictionaries, 2013) Some may argue that women have enough rights, and feminism is not needed. So why feminism is so important to others in today’s society? Can the continuous support of feminism change the way the work places in Australia are run? And can supporting feminism leave a better future for the next generation of young Australian people? To help answer these questions, fifty people undertook a survey and explained their thoughts on feminism. With the aid of these surveys and

The author provides a very informative and comprehensive analysis of The Feminist Movement in the United States. The author of this source splits his detailed research and opinions into six chapters ranging in important topics. Some of the topics are the origins of The Feminist Movement, ideologies of the movement, and oppositions to the movement. While this source is not current, the source was written by a qualified author. The author, Steven Buechler, is an associate professor of sociology at Mankato State University who studies historical social movements. Buechler has also published several sociological analyses of historical social movements. This source provides useful information as it discusses in great detail the social impacts of

It is said that the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 is one of the most important events in the history of the Women’s Rights Movement because it “‘unleashed’ the struggle for women’s equality that [continued] into the twenty-first century” (McMillen). The quest for women’s equality has been a hot topic for centuries and have included millions of feminists who share the same ideals, but there have been instances where some women have taken those same ideals and turned them into something new.

In 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed women to half his federal cabinet positions. When asked to explain the gender parity, he gave a simple but sufficient answer: “Because it’s 2015” (Chartland, 2015). This response caused a media stir, a response that was both enlightening and frustrating. While Trudeau’s response pointed to the fact that gender parity should be an obvious goal, the question and the need for a response indicated that society still does not accept it as obvious. How can such deep sexism continue to exist in a supposedly enlightened and progressive country like Canada? How far has society actually progressed when it comes

In Disney’s animated children’s films, feminism greatly advocated for change in gender roles. Children often believe and develop in accordance with the kind of life and exposure they are subjected to at the tender age. In spite of the fact that Disney adopted animated film to sensitize the children on changes in gender roles, it is certain that children literally adopted the perception depicted in the films. In fact, it is exemplified that later generations are raised on Disney fairy tale movies’. However, the research paper will explore the extent to which feminism changed male gender roles in children 's film.

The second to last tier is Self-Actualization needs, which is realizing personal potential. If the whole world believes that one gender is not as good as the others, and women grow up learning these values it might be very difficult for them to realize their self-potential. Lastly is Transcendence needs, which is helping others to achieve the seventh tier. However, if one has not achieved this tier themselves they can not truly assist someone else in this process. The way the hierarchy works is it builds from the bottom up just like any pyramid. one cannot help others without helping themselves. One cannot realize their self-worth without first seeing beauty in the world. One can not see beauty in the world without understanding and having

Throughout the course of history, women and young girls have been viewed as the weaker sex. Females did not, and at times still do not, receive the same level of respect or opportunities as men. Leading up to the 1960’s, women’s primary physical activities were cheerleading and dancing, while the men’s were more geared towards football and basketball. The women’s movement for equality was in the late 1960’s, during which women finally began to have their voices heard by others. As a result of the powerful women’s movement, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was enacted by President Richard Nixon. This federal law states that, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be

ransitioning away from the overview of the women’s movement, it is important to look at the women separately from the movement in a more general fashion. Are these women receiving any benefits from the meaningful Westernized gratitude? The significance of this comes from the Western approach of what a woman is and how Japanese women are determined to embody these characteristics and styles to fit into this standard. Clothing and beauty are two momentous ways of seeing how the West has been an essential part of Japanese women.

On the 28 October 2014, media outlets worldwide commented on the findings of the annual World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report. Its findings supported United Nations Ambassador Emma Watson’s recent claim, at the launch of the ‘HeForShe’ campaign, that ‘No country in the world can yet say they have achieved gender equality’. According to the Report, Australia ranks 53rd out of 142 countries in reaching gender equality in terms of ‘Political Empowerment’. Australia’s rank in this category has been steadily declining; this paper explores how the principles of public law that form the basis for Australia’s legal system affect gender equality.

The Women’s Liberation Movement greatly impacted Australia and the United States throughout the 60’s and 70’s carrying on to the 90’s. Without the Women’s Liberation Movement women wouldn’t have received changes in laws primarily regarding employment impacting on them moving forward in terms of equal opportunities. However there is still a there is still process to be made concerning employment and social roles for women to have equal rights as men. The Women’s Liberation Movement started in the 60’s during the second wave of feminism. Even though the 70’s were a time of change, both Australia and the United States saw women remaining in low status roles and staying primarily in the domestic sphere. The 90’s however saw a dramatic change in the amount of women employed and working more so in the domestic sphere.

Equality has been a long-time goal for the feminism movement. Over the last 100 years did feminism equality advanced so much within the united states. Women have gained many rights that men have and perhaps more. Has feminism accomplished all their goals that there is no need for feminist in the united states? Many women believe that there is no need for feminist anymore.