The Importance Of Oppression On Women

For centuries women had had to bow to men they were taught never to speak unless called upon or spoken to. That their sole purpose in life was to be a homemaker; a servant to the men in their lives fathers, brothers, sons. As time progressed women began to fight for their right to receive equal rights, education and vote. But that wasn’t enough in the year 2013 women still made eighty cents to every man’s dollar but that all changed one day. Women who were sick of being oppressed had risen up against the male chauvinism within society of the united states.The first measure was to take all men out of all positions of decision-making power immediately, and of any kind of social, professional position whatsoever. The men of society were

Women have always been oppressed for many different reasons for many years. In American society today women of color may also feel the same way as to being oppressed by others. However, I have never seen women of colored be oppressed, but I do believe that women do get oppressed because they are women.

Historically, sexuality has been a source of oppression, as well as pleasure and empowerment. The manner in which law recognizes sexuality is important for it produces a standard to be adhered to. From this standard, norms are established. The legal system acts a regulatory and governance body that acknowledges and legitimized cultural norms influence gendered identities. Cultural feminism suggests that gender disparities can be justified through biological differences. Gendered assumptions are therefore justified through reproductive capabilities, such as nurturing and domestic attributes of women. The analysis of law and cultural norms that perpetuate sexual danger and inhibit pleasure will be conducted through a sequential analysis of the three primary waves of feminism in light of Catherine MacKinnon and Gayle Rubin’s feminist critiques. Radical feminists such as Catherine MacKinnon argues that sexuality is the linchpin of women’s oppression. Gender is a hierarchy and a division of power, and therefore, women are inherently oppressed due to their sexuality. The source of sexual oppression originated from gendered patriarchy, specifically through woman being viewed as subordinates to their male counterparts. In contrast, sex-positive feminists, such as Gayle Rubin, reject sexual essentialism and suggest that sexuality is constructed.

The oppression of women has been brought into light in the recent years but it was the norm in many societies in early history especially in premodern east Asia. During that time, the roles of men and women in society were determined by great scholars that had the power to get their voice to be heard and set general rules in society. In China, scholars like Confucius, Mencius, and Mozi had great impact on the way people divided the roles between men and women. The overall oppression of women in premodern east Asia can be seen through quotes from great scholars about how women should be obedient to men, should not make important decisions in their families, and are not spoken of equally to men in society.

The oppression of women through occupationally established sex segregation and the gender wage difference remains an important economic discussion. The overall gender wage gap has fallen significantly since 1890 to its current rate of 21.4%. Women are making great strides increasing their labor market experience and skills. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Report 58.6% of women make up the labor force, 50.2% have multiple jobs, and 75.4% of single mothers are in the labor force. Today more women are head of households. Despite all the progress a large gender pay gap still exist. This is not simply a result of women’s choices, but structural, economic and social barriers that limit women’s ability to compete resulting in lower pay.

“Then, and not until then, will there be the perfect comradeship, the ideal union between the sexes that shall result in the highest development of the race” (Susan B Anthony). Feminism has evolved into our society in a slowly but remarkably life-changing way. Since the beginning of time, men have been deemed superior over women for the anatomy of their bodies and intellectual abilities. In the 21st century, patriarchal abuse has lessened and may not be practiced by women anymore; however, feminist (women and men) are fighting against these controversial roles implemented to them by society and culture. Many have the urge to presume that a feminist is a stereotypical man-hating activist who believes all the troubles in the world are caused by men. Feminism is anything but a stereotype; in fact the definition of feminism is “the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.” Equality is the main aspect that ties feminist together through the hardships of the developing society. Feminist perspectives therefore challenge and explore patriarchal interests implemented in women’s ability to express themselves and the quality of their lives. Fundamentally, feminist analysis intends to closely examine how male dominance and female advocacy manifest themselves in specific angles of society. In the world of feminist analysis, according to Donald Hall, critics and theorists are

As we creep into a more modern civilization, women’s role in society is rightfully evolving. No longer are women known as solely housekeepers, but are recognized as the intellectual and powerful beings they truly are. In Susan Glaspell’s short story “Trifles”, it is inherently clear that women are to be seen and not heard, which is not uncommon for the timeframe in which it was written. The women in the story “Trifles” are subject to male inferiority, psychological damage, and are considered as second class citizens.

The actions of Delilah in Judges toward Samson accurately depicts that of a woman who has woven her way into the heart of a man only to expose and exploit him for personal gain. This is, perhaps, a founding basis for Milton’s view of women as a naturally inevitable source of weakness for men. But the persona of Delilah created by Milton in Samson Agonistes as she presents an insincere, haughty, and prideful “apology” to Samson is a reflection of what can be seen as Milton’s fear of a deceptive woman in the life of a man. To put it plainly, women left unchecked by a man have potential danger that is unparalleled and it must be kept in check.

There have been many unspoken agreements made in the past 250 or so years of western culture. There’s an understanding in our community that some things just are because they are, especially when it concerns gender. In America, men don’t wear makeup or dresses. Girls aren’t supposed to be doctors, athletes, or CEOs. And in western culture, it’s the simple truth that the only genders that exist are boy, and girl. There’s basis behind some of it, but one of the only reasons that it’s western philosophy is because it just… is.

Throughout history, women been influenced to change themselves in order to be the person society expects them to be. This pressure that is exerted on women to change themselves is the result of expectations placed on them revolving around the idea that men are superior to women in almost every aspect of life. The concept of oppression on women has been so prominent in society that it has become commonly demonstrated in forms of literature, pop culture, and in the media. Overtime, these judgements of women have evolved to be less of an issue due to increasing advocation of women’s rights, but still hold to be relevant in today's society. Women are just as capable as men of being independent and valuable, but because the female gender is subjected

Oppression is perpetuated in our society through supremacy and discrimination. Women of color have been subjected to the justifications of unfair treatment from their oppressors— both male and female— for generations and are expected to identify with misconceived definitions that have been externally attributed to their own realities. There is an immense pressure on the women of color who have broken out of the cycle of this socioeconomic imprisonment to maintain their standing within society 's good graces. This is often discussed as though these women have something to hide, as though a friendly and modest demeanor are enough to erase the layers of transgenerational trauma from sight of the very same oppressors that caused it. At the

Feminism has become such a forbidden, misunderstood word nowadays. "I’m not a feminist but I believe in equal rights," is a phrase that has become all too common, often times said by those who think feminism just works towards superiority of women. Feminism itself sparks debate regarding whether or not the movement is even necessary or appropriate. Most people who don't believe in feminism, otherwise known as 'anti-feminists,' justify this because they think that working for overall equality is more important than working for women's rights. However, among the many 'isms' and movements that exist today, it is extremely relevant to have a separate movement for women. It's time for everybody to realize that feminism cannot and will not be replaced or covered up by equalism or humanism in an attempt to justify the rejection of feminism. Every movement is different.

Young women look at themselves in the mirror and despises what they see. Deluded by the commercials that blare from television screens, they are convinced that they are fat and ugly. It seems like all women are dieting, exercising, tanning and most excessively, the women of today are unsatisfied with their bodies.

Feminist perspective developed with the ideology that women face large amounts of inequalities in a patriarchal society. They aimed to address and rid the social world of this oppression of women by men. According to Bishop, (2015) “oppression occurs when one group of people use different forms of power to keep another group down in order to exploit them. The oppressor uses the power; the oppressed are exploited” (p. 133-134). Oppression must be by individual experience and not grouped into being the same for all. This includes understanding the original ideology of feminist theory being critiqued as only considering the experiences of middle class, white women. That black women, of lower class experienced oppression much different from the other women. Women are oppressed, thus has to be understood in a different construct that women are similar in some sources, experience of oppression but also experience oppression very differently from one individual to another. Feminist theories have further been expanded do its continuation throughout society and decades to encompass many more issues and arenas than just men and women relationships. Now it seeks to understand and address oppression based on culture, race, class, etc and not only for women but for all. Therefore, Bishop (2014) outlines five components that seem common to all forms of oppression and serve to maintain its presence in society.

“Present day American society – whether through pop culture, religion, or institutions – conflates sexuality and morality constantly. Idolizing virginity as a stand-in for women’s morality means that nothing else matters – not what we accomplish, not what we think, not what we care about and work for. Just if/how/whom we have sex with. That’s all.” This quote by Jessica Valenti represents just one specific standard for women. This one standard is that women are expected to be a “saint” and mold into what is right and wrong. The thing is, there should be no right and wrong. Virginity is a big dilemma in the world of young women. It somehow seems to determine if a woman is “good” or not. Jessica Valenti also says in her book, “You can be vapid, stupid, and unethical, but so as long as you’ve never had sex, you’re a “good (i.e., “moral”) girl and therefore worthy of praise.” This idea that virginity determines if a woman is a good person is not okay, and needs to stop. In fact,