Thesis
Statement: Although feminism has helped women make
great strides in the last 150 years, the ideology is irrelevant and illogical
in the 21st century since it is resulting in higher divorce rates
and is no longer addressing the gender stereotypes prevalent in the society.
Annapurany, K. “A Prospective Study
of Feminism Waves, Phases, Issues, and Critical Analysis. International Journal of Applied Research, 2(5): 2016.
The article offers a critical analysis of the first,
second and third waves of feminism and the challenges currently being addressed
by the proponents of this ideology such as violence against women and social
inequality. Annapurany begins the article by exploring the definition of
feminism. The author cites various sources such as the report by the Office of National
Statistics that showed that approximately 58% of carers are female (Annapurany 425).
The author asserts that modern feminism is illogical
since it is based on the assumption that men and women are to a larger extent
identical. However, according to Annapurany, various studies have demonstrated
that “men and women are inherently, fundamentally, and irreconcilably
different” (426). Apart from being
illogical, Annapurany argues that before the advent of feminism, women used to
be happier than men despite receiving lower salaries compared to the latter. For Annapurany, the continued insistence that
women should behave like me is disadvantaging the former as seen in the
increasing rates of divorce which is the greatest contributor of single
motherhood (426). The author of this article is a professor at the College of
Science, Arts, and Management for Woman. I will use this article to support the
argument that feminism is not only irrelevant but is also illogical.
Grimes, Elin. “Is Feminism
Dangerous to Men, and the Way the Society Views Men and Boys.” The
Huffington Post, 7 Nov. 2014. Web, https://www.huffingtonpost.com/quora/is-feminism-dangerous-to_b_5578829.html
Accessed on October 18, 2017.
The author aims at demonstrating that the role of
feminism is to challenge the gender stereotypes that discriminate against women.
According to the author, feminism aims at targeting the society’s perception of
how men and women should be (Grimes).
Grimes argues that if the society wants men and women to be treated
equally, it needs to challenge the gender stereotypes that conform to
preconceived ideas. For instance, the author
argues that if the society needs more male teachers it must fight against the
notion that portrays the teaching profession as inferior and men who are good
with children as weird or pedophiliac (Grimes). Grimes concludes her article by
asserting that the current approach taken by feminism which advocates for
"Us vs. Them" will not achieve any positive outcome. Grimes is a graduate of the University of
Sheffield. I will use this article to
demonstrate that feminism is illogical since it seeks to ignore men’s issues
while addressing perceived as opposed to the real problems affecting women.
Rajpal, Kaur. “Feminism:
Introduction and Aims.” Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary
Research, 2(60); 2016.
This article aims at exploring the feminism and the
goals the movement seeks to achieve According to Rajpal, feminism is a way of
thinking that seeks to achieve equality for women and men in social, cultural,
and economic fields (1107). The author explores the three waves of feminism. For
instance, Rajpal argues that the second wave of feminism which existed between
the 1960s and 1970s aimed at achieving equal social and cultural rights for
both men and women (1107). On the other hand, the third wave of feminism which
started in the 1990s aimed at the social construction of the subject of
feminism. For instance, Rajpal cites the words of Simone de Beauvoir who said
that “one is not born, but rather becomes, a woman…” (1108). This means that
according to feminists it is the process of civilization that produces the
creature that is described as feminine. For instance, Feminists raise a rather
interesting perception when they argue that “although women undoubtedly are
female, this in no way guarantees that they will be feminine” (11108). This is
the argument that was held by the proponents of the third wave of feminism.
Rajpal is an assistant professor at Guru Nanak College in Punjab India. I will
use this article to explore the fundamental beliefs held by feminists.
Bindel, Julie. “Feminism is in
danger of becoming toxic.” The Guardian,
18 Nov. 2014. Web,
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/nov/18/feminism-rosetta-scientist-shirt-dapper-laughs-julien-blanc-inequality
accessed on October 18, 2017.
The author explores how feminists have resorted to
attacking individuals as opposed to the cultures that encourage men to
perpetuate individual to commit crimes against women. The article is based on
the actions of scientist Matt Taylor who apologized on a national television
for wearing a shirt that depicted scantily clad women. Bindel also cites
several cases of men who were punished for engaging in actions that were termed
as derogatory to women. According to Bindel, feminism is on the verge of
becoming repressive and toxic since it is focusing on individuals as opposed to
institutions that perpetuate gender-based violence or discrimination. The
author cites a case where Ched Evans who was a football player was convicted of
rape. Ched Evan received much attention from feminists as compared to his
football association for its failure to act against dangerous sexism. Another
example used by Bindel to demonstrate that feminism is losing relevance is
where more than 20 student unions banned the song “Blurred Lines” by Robin
Thicke for glamourizing rape. However, at the same time, there was an event
that occurred at the University College of London hosted by the Islamic Education
and Research Academy in which women and men sat in opposite rows (Bindel).
However, the organizers of the event argued that gender segregation should be
respected in colleges and universities (Bindel). Bindel is a political analyst
and the author of a book titled “Straight Expectations, and The Pimping of
Prostitution: Abolishing the Sex Work.” I will use this article to demonstrate
that the modern day feminism is irrelevant since it is addressing the symptoms
as opposed to the causes of gender inequalities.
“Feminism and the Rise of Divorce in the US
During the 1970s.” ThirdSights, 8 Feb.
2014,
http://social.rollins.edu/wpsites/thirdsight/2014/02/08/feminism-and-the-rise-of-divorce-in-the-us-during-the-1970s/
Accessed on October 18, 2017.
The article investigates how various campaigns
initiated by feminists in the 1970s may have contributed to the increase in the
rates of divorce during the same era. According to the article, there are
various ways in which feminism may have contributed to the growing trend of
divorce in America during the 1970s (“Feminism and the Rise of Divorce in the US
During the 1970s”). Firstly, the actions of the feminists to liberalize divorce
laws inspired women who felt abused or unhappy to leave their husbands.
Additionally, the movement resulted in women realizing that marriage
perpetuated sex-based segregation. For instance, during the 1970s, feminist
movements coined a slogan that said that "personal is political" that
paved the way for more open conversations on private matters that never
characterized debates held by individuals of previous generations (“Feminism
and the Rise of Divorce in the US During the 1970s”). The private discussions
resulted in women starting to realize that they can achieve more while
independent as opposed to when they are wives. The website from which this
article is obtained from belongs to an education institution. I will use this
article to demonstrate that feminist movement is irrelevant since it is
contributing to high divorce rates in the society.
Pande, Rekha.
"Challenges to Feminism in 21st Century: A South Asian Perspective, with
Special Focus on India." Revista Ártemis17.1 (2014).
This article explores the issue of whether or not
feminism is still important in the 21st century considering that
women have equal rights as men when it comes to voting and holding high-paying
jobs. According to Pande, despite the great strides that women have made in the
last 100 years they are still facing a myriad of challenges that are not faced
by men. One of these challenges is the gender gap when it comes to the amount
of money that women receive compared to their male colleagues. For instance,
Pande explores a study that found that a woman is paid 82 cents to every dollar
that a man earns even if the two have the same level of education and
experience (Pande 2). On this note, Pande says that “overcoming those obstacles
requires a feminist perspective and feminism continues to be relevant”
(2). For instance, Pande believes that
the problems facing women can be addressed if all people work together. Rekha
is a professor at the University of Hyderabad in India. I will use this article
to explore some of the arguments held by those who still think that feminism is
still relevant in the 21st century.
Stewart, Lucy. “Why Feminism Still Needs Our
Attention.” Huffington Post, 18 May.
2014. Web,
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/lucy-stewart/why-feminism-still-needs-our-attention_b_5316920.html
Accessed on October 18, 2017.
This article explains how feminism is not redundant
just because some women have jobs, enjoys equal rights as men, and operate
personal bank accounts. According to Stewart, women experience certain
challenges such as the objectification of their bodies and sexual harassments
which do not affect men. For Stewart, men and women are only legally equal but
in other aspects, individuals from the two genders go through extremely
different experiences that decreases or increases their chances of succeeding
in various aspects of their lives. Thus, Stewart thinks that feminism is needed
in the 21st century since it will help women make choices about
their lives and what to wear without them being taken less seriously. Thus, the
author concludes that sexism in the society is still stifling the women’s
voices and holding them back (Stewart). Stewart is a journalist and a feminist.
I will use this article to explore the arguments held by people who think that
feminism is still relevant even today.
Works
Cited
Annapurany, K. “A Prospective Study
of Feminism Waves, Phases, Issues, and Critical Analysis. International Journal of Applied Research, 2(5): 2016.
Bindel. Julie. “Feminism Is in Danger
of Becoming Toxic.” The Guardian, 18
Nov. 2014. Web,
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/nov/18/feminism-rosetta-scientist-shirt-dapper-laughs-julien-blanc-inequality
accessed on October 18, 2017.
“Feminism And the Rise of Divorce
in the US During the 1970s.” ThirdSights,
8 Feb. 2014,
http://social.rollins.edu/wpsites/thirdsight/2014/02/08/feminism-and-the-rise-of-divorce-in-the-us-during-the-1970s/
Accessed on October 18, 2017.
Grimes, Elin. “Is Feminism
Dangerous to Men, and the Way the Society Views Men and Boys.” The
Huffington Post, 7 Nov. 2014. Web,
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/quora/is-feminism-dangerous-to_b_5578829.html
Accessed on October 18, 2017.
Pande, Rekha.
"Challenges to Feminism in 21st Century: A South Asian Perspective, with
Special Focus on India." Revista Ártemis17.1 (2014).
Stewart, Lucy. “Why Feminism Still
Needs Our Attention.” Huffington Post,
18 May. 2014. Web,
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/lucy-stewart/why-feminism-still-needs-our-attention_b_5316920.html
Accessed on October 18, 2017.
Rajpal, Kaur. “Feminism:
Introduction and Aims.” Imperial Journal
of Interdisciplinary Research, l2 (60); 2016.
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